Page 33 of A Treasure To Keep
Luci walks Caterina and Stella out while I pick up with Quinn's help. I take the opportunity to pry at something Aria said earlier. “So. Aria mentioned that Domenico was heading into the guest house earlier today. I thought you were staying there.”
She fumbles with the glasses in her hands, audibly swallowing as she tries to process what to say. She turns to me, sending me an almost convincing fake smile. “He’s been extremely welcoming since I got here.”
Domenico? Welcoming? That grump? No way I could imagine that.
“I find that hard to believe. What do I know? You do have to admit that he is ridiculously hot. Have you seen his ass?”
“Oh. I guess I never noticed.” Doubtful. “I’m here to help Luci have her daughter. That’s my focus.” She pauses for a second, and I almost think I hear her say, ‘At least that’s how it’s supposed to be.’
Before I can ask Quinn what she said, she continues. “I’m sure Domenico wants to ensure he’s doing his job and I’m settled in and comfortable. Everyone here has been unexpectedly nice. I consider myself lucky to be welcomed by such a generous family.”
“Alright, Little Miss Sunshine. Whatever you say.” Quinn’s eyes widen when I smirk knowingly. She can deny it all she wants. She finds Grumpy Mac Sweet-ass hot.
Once everything is cleaned up, I head home, going over the events of the day. The baby shower was everything I wanted for Luci and more. Unfortunately, I can’t shake off the interaction I had with Giovanni earlier. I know he doesn’t deserve a single thought in my head, but he’s practically a fly that pops up out of nowhere. Where can I find a fly swatter for my brain?
Several hours later, I open the door to our apartment, instantly meeting Andrea’s eyes from the kitchen as he makes us dinner.
“Did you have fun today, mon trésor?” Dammit. The floodgates unload when I start crying. Andrea turns off the stove and makes his way toward me, wrapping me in his arms. His safe arms. His loving arms. The arms I spend a solid fifteen minutes crying in before I could answer his question.
Chapter 36
Andrea
The jingle of El’s keys and the door opening announce her arrival. Her eyes meet mine from the kitchen the second she walks through the door. Wow, she’s spectacular.
“Did you have fun today, mon trésor?” Her eyes tear up instantly when I ask my question. I take the skillet off the burner, turn off the stove, and rush over to wrap the woman I love in my arms. I escort her into the living room to sit on the sofa as she spends a minimum of fifteen minutes crying hysterically. Eventually, she pulls away as I hold her face, swiping the tears that stain her beautiful face.
“What happened today? Did something happen at the baby shower?” Alessandro texted me several minutes ago, asking me to thank El for the baby shower.
“No. No, the baby shower was perfect.” El pauses for a second, resting her head in her hands for a second before continuing. “Marco and I ran into him at the store.”
“Him? Who him?”
“HIM, Andrea! Who else would it be? Giovanni, of course! It was awful! He never fails to make me the smallest person in the room. And not just physically.”
I’m convinced arrows could shoot out of her eyes when I laugh. “Mon trésor, I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. Your short joke was adorable.” Silence. It’s still not funny. “Why didn’t you mention this earlier, before the baby shower?”
“Because today wasn’t about my issues with Giovanni. There was no way I was about to let him ruin Luci’s baby shower.”
I grab her face, holding it in place, forcing her to focus on me. “No matter what Giovanni says, you’re a strong, confident woman. He’s a small and insignificant part of your past. I’m your future. I know it’s easier said than done, but please let me show you how amazing you are. Today, tomorrow, forever. For the rest of our lives. Remember that movie where the husband tells his wife with dementia about their love story? I will do that for you.”
El leans back slightly, offended and impressed that I remembered that movie. How could I not? She cried for hours after we watched it together. “Who says I’ll be the senile one? Maybe it would be you. We never know.”
I chuckle while shaking my head in response to her question. “I think we both know who the senile one would be.”
“Fine. What’s for dinner? I want to feed my feelings.”
“I was working on a light pasta dish to serve with a side salad and white wine.” Wrong answer. “Or we could order pizza and watch a movie.” El smiles, snuggling herself into my chest. She inhales deeply, her eyes closed to collect this moment as a memory, something she does after seeing it in a movie.
“Sausage, bell pepper, and black olive?”
“Always, my love.”
She hums when I kiss her on the forehead. “Go get changed into something more comfortable while we wait for our food.”
I grab my phone once she’s in our bedroom, taking the opportunity to text Marco. I know El won’t tell me everything that happened with Giovanni. I have no doubt Marco will.
Me: