Page 92 of Bellini Bound

“Well, I think it’s just great that you and your aunt can share a fun girls’ lunch together,” the waitress remarked.

Bianca preened. “It’s because I’m a big girl.”

Reaching into her apron, she pulled out a package of crayons and placed them on the table. “I’ve got a few coloring books in the back. I only bring them out for the most well-behaved little girls, and I have a good feeling about you.” She tossed my niece a wink.

“I’ll be so good, I promise.” Bianca bounced in her seat.

“Be right back with those in a few.” The waitress walked away to submit our order.

“Well, aren’t you a lucky duck?” I reached across the table to give the little girl’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“This is going to be the best lunch ever!” she cried with the biggest smile on her face.

I sat back in the booth. “Why don’t you tell me all about school while we wait?”

Lighting up, she announced, “I’m the Star Student tomorrow!”

“Oh yeah? What does the Star Student get to do?”

“I’m allowed to bring a stuffie from home, everyone has to come in wearing my favorite color, and I get a certificate to take home.”

I lifted my eyebrows, acting impressed. “Wow, sounds like an awesome day.”

“It’s going to be thebest.”

Even after the coloring book was brought to the table, Bianca continued to chatter away. She was seriously the cutest, and I was beyond grateful that Enzo had agreed to hold down the fort at home during lunch and naptime for Serafina so that I could give the older of our two nieces some much-needed one-on-one time.

Our food arrived, and the first thing we did was lean over to take a sip of our shared milkshake.

“Mmm.” I smacked my lips. “Chocolate was definitely the right call.”

The little girl cocked her head, saying with total seriousness, “Aunt Allie, I only make good choices.”

A burst of laughter flew past my lips. Her parents were in for one hell of a ride with such a spirited, confident child, but even at this age, I knew she’d grow to become a force to be reckoned with.

I was grabbing my popcorn now.

“Serafina’s finally down.” I sighed.

Latching the door to the bedroom Enzo occupied in his cousin’s house behind me, I landed face-first on the mattress.

My husband’s fingers slid through my hair. “I offered to handle bedtime for the tiny terror.” That moniker was spot on; the girl had decided to start the terrible twos a few weeks early, going from sweet to sour at the drop of a hat.

“I know,” I huffed, rolling over. “But I felt bad after taking Bianca out to lunch since we’re trying so hard to give them equal time.”

“Pretty sure neither one of them is keeping track, especially Serafina,” Enzo teased.

Swatting at him playfully, I agreed, “Probably not, but I like keeping it as fair as I can.”

He hummed, leaning down to kiss me. “You’re working hard to keep that title of ‘best aunt in the whole wide world.’”

I played off the fact that hearing Bianca call me that earlier had tugged so hard on my heartstrings I feared they might snap. “To be fair, I’m her only aunt.”

Enzo’s gaze darted to the side. “That’s not entirely accurate.”

“Oh, right.” I smacked a hand to my forehead. “Gemma, of course. It’s gotta be an out of sight, out of mind kinda thing for Bianca when it comes to her, or else your sister would surely beat me out for that top spot.”

“I didn’t mean Gemma,” my husband corrected.