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Love—I never thought I’d experience it, never thought I’d feel it this strongly, but here I am, surrounded by it and sheltered within its power on all sides.
On a day like today, I need to remember that, and I need my family to remember it too.
We’ve lost one of our own, but we’ll grow tighter for it.
As if that’s a reminder, Diana slots into place beside me as we walk through the village and toward our house in the center where we’re holding a wake.
Her boyfriend of the moment hovers awkwardly at the periphery, but we both ignore him.
“How are you holding up?” she whispers in my ear.
I shoot Savio a look. “I miss him, but Savio’s pain hurts my heart.”
“As it should.” She pats my hand. “Sorry for bringing Damian with me.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Sure it does. Can you imagine he didn’t believe that I was attending a funeral? Insisted on catching a flight with me.”
“You need to dump him. He’s too possessive for his own good.”
Savio, sounding more like himself, snorts. “Judge not lest ye be judged,mon ange.”
The endearment tweaks that ache in my heart. “You like me possessive,” I chide. “Diana doesn’t like it in her partners.”
He shakes his head, but there’s a faint smile curving his lips as he bows down to kiss me. “Behave.”
“Where’d be the fun in that?” I half-tease, but he knows it’s only in jest.
This day matters to us both. Saying goodbye to the kind soul who reared this imperfectly perfect man before me is the priority.
“I’ll be withmaman.”
As I nod my understanding when he drifts into the house, Diana clucks her tongue. “I swear you two are the reason none of my relationships ever work out. Why would I settle for Damian’s nine-inch shlong,” she hisses, “when I have walking twin flames for best friends?”
My brows lift as we walk in too and I swiftly guide her into the kitchen. “Are you okay?”
“No.” She rubs a hand over her face. “And sorry. The last thing you need is me bitching today of all days.”
I rest a hand on her shoulder. “If you don’t want to be with Damian, then don’t be.”
“Your mom and dad, Savio’s… you two…Now Roman and Lola.I want that,Andrea.” She presses her hand to her heart. “I see it. I can feel it. I can touch it. But it’s still so far away.”
“I’m sorry, Di.” I press a kiss to her cheek.
“You don’t have to be. It’s not that I covet what you have either. I’m glad you have Savio. I’m glad he has you. Sheesh, I don’t think either of you would have made it without one another.
“And the way Roman looks at my baby is a relief. She’ll be safe with him. He’ll do anything to protect her beautiful soul. As her mom, that’s all I could ever ask for. I just?—”
“Want it too.” With a heavy sigh, I ask though I know it’s futile: “Is there anything I can do?”
“No.” She pouts. “I overheard you at the cemetery.”
“Which part?” I ask, snagging a flute of Champagne.
According to Lilith, Giuseppe adored Champagne enough that he’d want nothing else served at a celebration of his life.
“That you’re moving here.” She tugs on her bottom lip. “Permanently.”