Page 137 of Deadly Obsession

“What’s in this pasta salad?” Elias asks, taking a big bite. “It’s really good.”

“Nothing crazy,” Noah says. “Some feta cheese, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Dijon mustard.”

“And nuts,” Elias wheezes.

“Yeah! Walnuts. I almost forgot,” Noah beams.

“Oh, shit. I forgot to tell you, Rainbow Bright.” Del winces. “My brother’s allergic to nuts.”

I sigh and scooch myself out of the picnic table.

Elias is already stabbing himself with his EpiPen that he keeps in a cute little holster around his shoulders. Not all the time, mostly when he’s expecting to eat somewhere.

I’m not taking chances,he’d said.

“Noah, watch Immy,” I say and point at Del. “You help me. Thankfully walnuts aren’t as bad as peanuts.”

Del follows me into the house to grab Elias’s oxygen tank from the bathroom. By the time we return, Elias is breathing somewhat normally, likely after using his inhaler and taking some Benadryl.

“Did I tell you about the time I baked chocolate chip and walnut cookies for Elias and almost killed him?” I say to Noah.

She snorts. “Girl, this is so funny.”

“Thanks a lot,” Elias grumbles.

“No, I just mean you’re this scary, dangerous mafia guy, but a little ole nut could literally take you out. Could you imagine if your enemies knew this?”

I gasp. “That’s what I said! Death by nut.”

Noah and I break out into a fit of giggles and Imogen joins in despite having no idea what we’re talking about. She just knows something’s funny.

Even Del is amused.

“You’re all so fucking hilarious,” Elias gripes.

“Dada, you said a bad word,” Immy scolds.

“Sorry, belle fille.”Beautiful girl.“Daddy will put a dollar in the jar later.”

She twists herself on the picnic table bench to hug Elias’s big belly.

The other day, she asked if he was also growing a baby in there, and I peed my pants laughing so hard.

Elias kisses the top of Imogen’s head and gives me a wink. Pressure builds behind my eyes.

My perfect little life with my obsessive mafia man.

He gave me the bad romance.

Except it was never bad at all.

The End