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The arguments in their language continued and my awkwardness compounded. All three of them forgot about me as their family drama played out. I listened, but it became increasingly clear that these people didn’t want or need me here.
I had to give Paloma credit. She didn’t seem like the type to give up or back down. As if to prove my point, she smacked Vito’s hands out of the way, then lifted up his t-shirt. She hissed through her teeth. “Idiota,” I heard her say.
I glanced out the window, the white landscape filling my vision. There were times when I was surrounded by peoplebut felt incredibly lonely. This was one of those moments. My therapist once said it was because I kept myself emotionally disconnected from others. I didn’t know if that was true or not, but it sucked to feel like an outsider looking in. Was I jealous of their family dynamic?
Maybe a tiny bit. But really, why was I here? I wasn’t Vito’s girlfriend or wife. I wasn’t part of this family. As nice as everything was last night, I couldn’t forget the truth, even as something inside me broke at the thought.
Paloma and Massimo were still examining Vito’s bandage, while he grumbled at them. I was dying to see for myself, but he was in good hands.I’m not needed. He doesn’t need me.I couldn’t even understand what they were saying.
Setting down my cup, I went looking for my boots.
“Maggie, che cosa?” Vito said loudly. “What are you doing?”
“I should get going.” I drew on my boots as quickly as I could manage, not even bothering to tie them. “Lots to do, you know?”
“No, I don’t know.” He came toward me, his mouth tight and unhappy. “I heard from Michael and he said everything is fine in the main buildings. There’s nothing pressing at the moment.”
“Well, I’d like to see for myself. Besides, you should catch up with your family.”
“I’d like for you to stay. Drink your cappuccino. I’ll?—”
“Don’t pressure her, fratello.” This was from Paloma. “If she needs to leave, let her leave.”
I looked over at Vito’s sister, whose expression was not friendly in the least. Her brown gaze was hard and challenging, like she saw right through me. It was clear she wanted me gone, and the deep chasm between Vito’s life and mine had never felt wider.
I reached for my jacket and felt Vito’s hand on my hip. “Angelo, per favore,” he whispered. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing. Everything’s fine. There’s just a lot to do after a big storm like this. And you should enjoy being with your siblings.”
“You think I can’t do that with you here?”
That hit a little too close to what I was feeling, so I patted his chest. “That’s not it at all. Listen, we’ll catch up later, okay?”
His hand pressed into my hip as he stared down at me through his sexy glasses. With his rumpled hair and unshaven jaw, he was seriously fucking hot. If we were alone, I would definitely be treating his body like an amusement park ride. But right now, I just wanted to leave.
“See you later,” I said quietly, then broke free of his hold. “Nice to meet you!” I called. “Bye, Maz.” I slipped out of the door and went into the cold. Snow crunched beneath my boots as I tugged on my jacket, and I made sure to step in the footprints that Maz and Paloma made earlier. There had to be at least eight inches of snow on the ground.
My chest felt hollow. Which was silly. So what if Paloma didn’t like me? So what if Vito was going back to Toronto soon, taking his sister with him? So what if I would miss him?
So what if I’d fallen for him and he didn’t love me back?
That was the way the world worked. It wasn’t fair. And often it hurt. One minute you had two loving parents, and the next they were ripped out of your life. Killed in a stupid accident. After that, I never expected candy hearts and balloons.
And this morning had been the reminder I needed.
Vito
Chest tight, I watched Maggie trudge away in the snow. Something was off. Something sent her running away fromme. This time, though, I had a good idea what—or who—was responsible.
Turning, I glared at my sister. “Was that necessary?”
Paloma lifted one dark eyebrow. “You were trying to force her to stay when she clearly wanted to leave. I was on her side.”
“You were rude to her.”
Paloma didn’t deny it. Instead, she looked at Maz. “Molto innamorato.”Deeply in love.
“Stai zitto,” I snapped and carried Maggie’s cup over to the sink.