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Cassidy nodded, then cocked a brow at me while smiling impishly. “I was just telling Mrs. Belfiore I have a few days free before returning to college. Soo, I could stay for few days. Isn’t that great?”
I beamed at her. “Really?”
Cassidy nodded.
“I also told Ms. Cosgrove we have a set schedule,” Mrs. Belfiore added in a raised voice.
“Really?” I peered over at her frowning face and arched my brows. “What areourplans?”
“We have a private luncheon and the funeral,” she said, sitting taller and jutting her chin. “Both of which can’t accommodate Miss. Cosgrove.”
Cassidy grinned. “You said you’re busy Thursday and Friday. That leaves the rest of today free. I’ll leave sometime tomorrow.” She switched to an affirmative tone.
I laughed inward as Cassidy squared off with my grandmother.
Mrs. Belfiore was the first to break. She tutted and stood. “You can stay, but I must point out how improper and rude it is to stop at someone’s home without asking for permission.” She shot daggers at me. “I’d like a word with you.”
“Good to see you again, Mrs. Belfiore,” Cassidy called to her back and waved at her.
I chuckled and shook my head. She had a natural way of shrugging off the world. I wished to become her when I grew up.
I caught up to Mrs. Belfiore and she turned abruptly, her gaze withering. “Did you plan Ms. Cosgrove’s visit?”
I narrowed my gaze. “When? During the sudden flight from Italy or while I was asleep?”
Her lips pursed. “All visitors to our home must be approved first.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Cassidy’s here now, and you said she can stay—”
“I want to make one thing clear first,” she interrupted, her tone curt. “You’re not to discuss our personal matters with her.”
“Got it,” I deadpanned.
She crossed her arms. “You’ve returned with a bad attitude that neither your grandfather nor I appreciate. I can see Rocco has already had a poor influence on you.”
I grimaced. “It’s not Rocco. You hid that my father was out of jail and encouraged me to “ruin” myself by sleeping with Rocco—”
“I never…” her voice rose, and she paused, lowering it. “I told you not to do it—”
“And go against Mr. Belfiore?” I mocked and she went quiet. “Now you’re trying to sell me off to someone you hate. You both have forced me to change.”
Mrs. Belfiore paled and scoffed, glancing around us before pointing a finger at me. “You sound like a child. You’ll learn that as an adult, not everything is as simple as you think. Now,I’m allowing Cassidy’s short visit, but I will not tolerate your disrespect.”
Life wasn’t always fair. It was also a waste of both our time arguing with her. Especially when Cassidy was here, and I had a chance to spend time with her.
“Thank you, Mrs. Belfiore,” I said in a sharp tone.
She blinked rapidly, then turned on her heels and walked down the hallway in the opposite direction. While I returned to the living room and Cassidy. She was standing in front of a framed photo on the mantelpiece and glanced back with a smile. “Wow. You look so much like your grandmother. I had to do a double take.”
It was a photo I admired, too. In it, Mrs. Belfiore was around my age and looked elegant in her navy show coat and riding pants as she competed in a local horseback riding dressage event.
Cassidy pointed to her smile. “I knew she had one in there somewhere.”
I giggled with her.
“Did I get you in trouble, gorgeous?” She bit her bottom lip.
“Trouble’s my middle name, gorgeous,” I joked, jutting my chin.