Page 36 of Tailored for You

I tapped the table and stood. “I wanted to keep you up to date in case she calls you.”

“I’ll give her my opinion on things, as I always do when she calls asking for help, or an opinion, or to vent.” Martina sighed, sadness lining her face. “She doesn’t have anyone, Lorenzo. She has limited contact with her family; her younger sister is traveling the world. Even if she was close to them, she wouldn’t take her struggles to their door. It’s just not how she is. She’s been living alone for a long time. Be careful with her. I don’t think she can handle another person letting her down.”

“The last thing I’ll do is let her down,” I countered, almost insulted.

“So you think. Everyone makes mistakes; just be careful.” Martina led me down the hall to the front door.

It opened as she reached for the handle. Her husband, Flavio Vinci, stepped through the door, a scowl on his face.

Stepping between Martina and me, Flavio glared at me. “What are you doing here? Alone with my wife?”

Martina snorted, her laughter filling the foyer as Flavio continued to glare at me. I responded with a bored expression.

“Do we need to do this every time you see me?” I asked.

“Yes. Why are you alone with my wife?” he demanded.

“That’s between your wife and me,” I said, unable to keep myself from antagonizing him. He made it so easy.

On cue, Flavio’s face went red, and he took a menacing step toward me.

Martina stepped between us, cursing Flavio. “Why do you do this? Always with the nonsense, as if I’d even bother with him if he tried. He brought his pistachios and wanted to tell me he finally made a move with Serena.”

If she had her towel, Martina would have started hitting him with it. It wouldn’t be the first time. Their arguing was some weird foreplay.

A pang hit me in the center of my chest, knowing my parents would act similarly if they were still alive.

Mom, like Martina, had the biggest heart and loved having people around. Dad loved her and me deeply, and was possessive and jealous at times, even knowing Mom would never look at another man.

All the traits he ingrained in me.

“I’ll leave you two to your lovers’ spat,” I said, sidestepping Flavio, who still glared at me and Martina, who faced off with her husband, hand on her hips.

I was halfway down the walkway when Martina called my name. Stopping, I turned in time to see her jogging.

Breathing heavily like she had sprinted a mile, she frowned at me. “Don’t make me run. I don’t like it.” She stood, clearing her throat. “I know you’ve been worried about making the first move and playing the long game. It’s admirable. But it’s okay to push her. She’s been hurt, and she’s quick to find a reason not to believe what’s right in front of her. Don’t be afraid to show her what her life could be like. She always puts one foot in front of the other. Give her the fantasy. Show her the potential of her life.”

It was sound advice and validated what I suspected already. Serena was afraid to be anything but practical. The consequences would be too great should any chance she took fail.

“I’ll take care of her,” I promised. Martina nodded, and we went our separate ways.

I broke every speed limit to get home.

The drive took too long, even though, for a rare moment in New York, I hit no traffic.

I slid into the curved driveway and stared at the house. Harper zoomed past the front window in a flash of blond hair.

The tightness in my chest loosened. Anxiety I hadn’t realized was living in me since I left the house leeched out of me.

I was home. My girls were right where they belonged, in a place they deserved.

Martina was right. It was time to turn this unfortunate circumstance to my advantage and use everything at my disposal to keep them there.

CHAPTER 12

Serena

I wiped the counter, cleaning up the mess Harper had made eating her cereal, which she had dubbed the most amazing ever. It was Cheerios.