Page 27 of Tammaro DeLuca

“Okay. hit me up later and we’ll make that happen.” She said.

I nodded before I hugged her again.

Simone whispered in my ear. “I didn’t know what was happening. Say the word and we can skip dinner and go somewhere now. You don’t look like you’re holding up well.”

She was right. Inside, I was a mess. It didn’t matter if she’d caught on because we were friends. What was important was that I hadn’t cleared away all the chinks in my armor.

“Can we go?” I whispered back.

“On it.” She stood up and held her belly. “Whoo … I think maybe I’ve had a bit too much excitement lately.” She turned to Beni, and he smiled one of those knowing smiles.

“Yolanda, can you see my wife gets home for me? I’ll make sure that Ro takes good care of Asmaria, and they get back to you in one piece.”

“Thank you.” I could hug him right now, but I knew that was inappropriate. Besides, I was still leery of the man that I knew was the head of this family.

“Rest, please.” He said to Simone.

“I will, Beast.” She kissed him and then took my hand. “I’ll wait outside in the car while you talk to Asmaria.”

I found her cutting out cookies from rolled out dough. “Ma, how many would you like?” She asked in a girlish way that I haven’t seen in a long time.

“As many as you bring me home. I’m going to help Simone home. She’s not feeling well. Will you be okay?”

Asmaria turned toward Ro, who was also cutting cookies with Amina. He nodded to her, but he avoided looking at me completely.

“I’ll keep her safe.” He said, but focused on the dough.

“Do you have your phone?” I asked Asmaria.

“I do.”

I nodded and kissed her cheek. “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. Try to have some fun with Ms. Simone. Wait. Do I call her aunty now?” She asked.

“That’s up to you. Figure out what you’re comfortable with and we’ll all adjust.”

“Okay. Daddy mentioned taking me to school tomorrow. Is that okay?” She asked.

I smiled momentarily, removing my anger toward him and seeing how much he was bringing light into my little girl’s world.

He better mean every bit of it, though.

“It is.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.” She hugged me while trying to keep sugar and flour off my dress.

I left, getting in the car with Simone. She smiled at me and that’s when I realized she really was tired.

“Denny, can you take me home, please?” She said to the driver.

“Of course m’lady.” He tipped his hat and began driving.

Simone giggled. “Always the gentleman.”

“I try. I have to make sure you keep a smile on your face, so the baby is happy. Am I coming back for Mr. DeLuca?”

“I’m not sure. We both know that he won’t want you to leave me. He probably trusts you more than anybody else guarding me. Besides, he’s there with his two brothers and now there is finally another girl in the house for him to dote on. God forbid if I’m having one.”

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