Page 65 of My Favorite Kidnapper

My phone buzzed with a text, and I saw Carolina’s name.

Carolina

Bri—Are you all right?

I sighed and shook my head.

Me

I am fine.

Carolina

Why are you with Uncle Dante?

I nibbled my lip as I contemplated what to say. I decided to stick to a basic outline.

Me

He came to ask me to bake him some cakes. I had just been let go from my other job, and MaryJo was threatening to fire me as well. I was upset, and he offered to bring me here and let me find my feet. I mean, summer in Italy—who could resist?

Carolina

Are you romantically involved?

Me

That is personal, Carolina.

Carolina

OMG you are.

Me

No comment. But I am fine, happy, and baking.

I attached a picture I had taken of the cake I’d made.

Me

See?

Carolina

He is older than you. And grumpy.

Me

And your mother is older than your father. Dante and I get along well. He isn’t grumpy with me. He is very sweet, actually.

Carolina

TMI

Me

Then don’t ask. How is Allan? How was the honeymoon? Is married life treating you okay?