Page 21 of Tilly
I never considered myself out of shape. I work out. I’ve taken different defense classes, trained my whole life. But one night with Antonio has a whole bunch of new muscles I had no idea even existed aching.
He woke me up an hour ago with a cup of coffee and a shirt. Which is why I’m now walking through my apartment building in nothing but that same shirt and the shoes I wore yesterday.
Pushing through my door, I pause when I come face-to-face with my brother. “Dante? What are you doing here?” I ask him.
His glare narrows as he takes me in. “Where have you been all night?”
I roll my eyes and walk past him and into my kitchen. He’s sixteen going on thirty. I swear he thinks he’s the older sibling in this relationship. “Why are you here so early?”
“I need advice. About a girl,” he says.
“About Josie you mean.” I turn and look at him. My Zio Theo and Zia Maddie adopted Dante’s girlfriend, Josie, to get her out of the foster system.
“Yeah.” He nods and rubs a hand along the back of his neck.
“What’s wrong?”
“Why won’t she agree to marry me?” He sighs.
My eyes widen. “I would guess it has something to do with the fact that you’re both sixteen, Dante.” I try to not laugh. He’s so serious about this girl. I sometimes worry about him getting in too deep.
“Age doesn’t matter. She’s it for me. I know that. So why doesn’t she know it too?”
“Dante, she knows that. But look at it from her point of view. She just got a family, a real family, who loves her and has taken her in as one of their own. She has parents for the first time in god only knows how long. And she has a home where she doesn’t have to go to bed terrified someone might break down her door in the middle of the night. She doesn’t need to worry about where her next meal is coming from.”
“I would make sure she has all of that with me too,” he counters.
“I know you would. But you need to let her have her moment, Dante. Don’t make her grow up faster than she already has. If she really is the one, she’ll still be the one in two years, or four.”
“You’re right.” He shakes his head.
“I’m always right.” I laugh.
“So, now that we’ve analyzed the shit out of my love life, why are you walking in looking like you’ve been…?” He pauses to glare at me again. “I can’t even say it. The thought makes me want to throw up.” He gags.
“Stop being ridiculous,” I tell him.
“So, who’s this guy?” Dante questions while attempting to sound casual.
“Nice try, bro. I’m not telling you shit. When I’m ready for the family to know, they will, and that includes you.”
“Are you happy, Tilly?”
“Yes. I am.” Exhausted but happy. Content. I didn’t want to leave Antonio this morning. But I have school, and he has to work—whatever that looks like for him.
“Good, then don’t let anyone try to tell you who you can and can’t see.” Dante steps closer to press a kiss to my cheek. “Tell Gambino if he breaks your heart, I’m going to tear his out and feed it to his kid brother.”
I gasp, not because of the graphic threat coming from my brother’s mouth, but at the fact he knows. “How…?”
“I saw you get out of his car this morning. It’s not like you guys were discreet about it.” Dante shrugs. “Don’t worry, sis. Your dirty little secrets are safe with me.” He winks and then walks towards the foyer.
“Dante, don’t tell Dad before I have the chance to tell him myself,” I warn.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Just make sure you invite me to that shitshow,” he says before closing the door behind him.
Chapter Twelve
Two Weeks Later
