Page 53

We sit in companionable silence in the car on the way to Brad’s mom’s house in Brooklyn. Last night was unexpected, and yet everything I didn’t know I was craving. If that’s how good sex is, and by sex, I mean the foreplay, because we haven’t gone all the way yet, then I want more.

“You okay?” Brad asks, side eyeing me as he drives through the New York traffic.

“Uh huh.”

We eventually pull up outside a brick townhouse with steps leading up to the front door. Balloons and a Happy Birthday banner hang on the door.

“Ready?” he asks, and I nod.

We exit the car, and Brad pops the trunk and lifts out the giant box wrapped in blue paper for his nephew. To my surprise, hetakes my hand and leads me up the steps to the front door that he opens without knocking, allowing loud chatter and music to filter through the dark entryway.

Black and white tiles cover the floor, dark painted walls with picture frame after picture frame hang, making the space feel small yet warm and homely. The smell of Italian food wafts through the air, causing my stomach grumble.

Never letting go of my hand, Brad leads me to the back of the house, through a door where I’m met with women are huddled around a kitchen island, preparing food and chatting amongst themselves.

“…so I told her, if Ronnie is going to be out till all hours, she has the right to ask him, ya know?” a woman with long dark hair, wearing a black dress and big gold hoops yells above the chatter.

The room falls silent when they notice me and Brad and a woman screams, “Ahhhh, you made it.” She runs over, and Brad releases my hand so he can wrap his arm around her.

“Hey, sis. Where’s the little man?” She releases him and stands back to look me up and down as she smiles.

“Oh, he’s outside playing. Who’s your friend?” she asks with her thick New York accent.

“This is Gabriella,” Brad says softly.

“Hi, I’m Alessia. It’s nice to meet ya.” I smile, expecting her to maybe shake my hand, but instead she hugs me, pressing a kiss on each cheek. “Hey, Ma, guess who brought a girlfriend?” she yells.

Girlfriend?

“What?” a woman yells from somewhere in the crowded kitchen.”

“Marco brought a girlfriend.” Alessia beams.

Marco?

I look to Brad in confusion, and he leans down and speaks quietly. “I’ll explain later.”

A woman comes up beside Alessia. She looks like an older version of her. She reaches for Brad, embracing his face with her hands. “My Marco. It’s been too long.”

“Hey Ma,” I don’t miss the way his spine stiffens when she holds him.”

“Ma, this is my friend, Gabriella,” he says, gesturing towards me.

“Gabriella, oh my god, she’s gorgeous. Isn’t she gorgeous?” his mom says, taking my face into her hands and kissing both my cheeks.

‘It’s lovely to meet you…”

“Bianca, my name’s Bianca. Don’t mind my son’s manners. He forgets them from time to time,” she teases, tapping Brad’s chest with the back of her hand.

“Let’s get you some food and drink. Follow me,” Alessia says. We head down a set of stairs out to a patio where a large table filled with food and people sitting around under a parasol.

Alessia introduces us and my eyes immediately focus on the bouncy house at the bottom of the garden where children squeal and laugh. Brad’s still clutching his nephew’s gift, his jaw tight. I sense he’s uncomfortable here, but knowing now isn’t the time to push the subject, I slide my hand into his, caressing the back of it with my thumb to offer him some reassurance that I’m here. When he grips back, my heart flutters. The moment is broken when a small boy with dark hair comes barreling towards us. Brad bends down, so he’s at eye level with him, sets the gift down on the grass and opens up his arms to catch his nephew. The little boy leaps and lands on Brad with such force, Brad falls back. His butt hits the ground, and the little boy giggles as Brad tickles him.

“Happy birthday, little man,” His little face lights up when he tears the paper off the gift Brad handed him, revealing a Lego fighter jet.

“Thank you, thank you,” the little boy squeals, jumping up and down in pure delight.

“You’re welcome, bud. Hey, I want you to meet someone.” Brad turns his body, still sitting on the ground, and points to me.