Page 50 of Twisted Fate

“Wow,” Sabina says softly.

“Wow,” Luca repeats, eyebrows lifting. “I’m impressed.”

A moment of silence follows before Leo asks Luca, “How’s the restaurant coming along?”

“A few hiccups with licensing. Nothing Cassio and I can’t handle.” Innocuous words, but I can’t help but suspect some form of bribery or coercion being involved in handling it.

“I had lunch with Dante yesterday,” Sabina says.

“Liquid or otherwise?” Damian asks.

“A bit of both,” Sabina says, her expression worried. “I think he’s getting better…”

“Except on the days when he isn’t,” Leo says. “I’ll speak with him.”

He exchanges a look with Damian, one I can’t read. But I don’t need to ask what they’re thinking or feeling. I know all about having a brother whose use of substances puts him in a very bad place.

Luca lightens the mood, launching into a story about his latest foray into online dating that makes everyone laugh, even pulling a short huff out of Leo and making Nicole smile into her plate.

For dessert, we have tiramisu. I’ve never had it before, but now I want to have it every day going forward. Forever and ever.

When the dishes are cleared away, and coffee is served, Sabina clinks her spoon against the side of her cup.

“I have a very important announcement to make,” she says.

All attention in the room goes to her.

19

Alina

Sabina clears her throat, presses her hands against the surface of the table and rises to her feet. “It’s good news.”

Despite that claim, there’s a shadow that’s fallen across her lovely face and her forehead is a little furrowed. She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, shaking off whatever anxiety she seems to be experiencing. A smile spreads across her face. “I’m engaged.”

There’s no immediate reaction to this.

“I’m sorry,” Damian says. “I must have heard you wrong. I thought you said you were engaged.”

“I did say that.”

“Engaged.” He blinks. “To be married.” His gaze flicks to her left hand. No ring.

“Yes.” Sabina’s chin kicks up a notch.

I glance at Leo who’s regarding his sister like he’s smelling something bad.

“To whom?” he asks.

“My boyfriend.” She glares at her brother. “Roberto Costa. You met him at Christmas.” She looks back and forth between Leo and Damian, both of whom regard her with stony expressions. “You both met him at Christmas.” She looks at Luca, as if hoping for support. “You played pickleball with him.”

“Yeah, and he sucked,” Luca offers, then shrugs when she narrows her eyes at him. “Just telling it like it is.”

“Roberto. The kid from college,” Damian says.

“He isn’t a kid. We’ve been together over a year.”

“And now you’re engaged,” Leo says, frowning at her naked ring finger.

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