Page 93 of Sinful Promises

When I scrunched up my face, they all burst into laughter and spoke a million miles an hour in Italian. I glanced from one sister to the next, and an overwhelming sensation gripped me. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

I was comfortable with these relative strangers. I imagined this was exactly what it felt like to have family who loved you, and a place to call home.

A sense of longing enveloped me.

I wanted this. Exactly this.

“Daisy? Daisy?”

I stood at the sound of Roman’s voice.

The sisters covered their mouths. Their eyes were wide. Mamma clutched her hands to her chest and had the most magical grin.

I stepped back from the table.

“Daisy!”

When Roman appeared, tears pricked my eyes.

A delicious shudder shimmered through me as our gaze met.

He opened his arms and strode to me. “It is you. Oh my god.”

We fell into an embrace, and he picked me up and spun me around.

His sisters clapped and cheered, but I barely noticed.

I laughed and cried, and my heart squeezed so tight, I could barely breathe.

He put me down and placed his hand on my cheek. “What are you doing here?”

I curled my lip through my teeth. “I came for you.”

He clutched both of my cheeks and leaned forward. Our lips met, and the butterflies in my stomach soared to the sky.

It didn’t matter that his family was watching and clapping.

It didn’t matter that he smelled of fish and sea salt.

I was in heaven. With my Roman.

Chapter Twenty-One

Roman clutched me to his chest. “How did you find me?”

“I remembered you lived in Manarola. It seems everyone knows you.”

Donatella slapped him on the arm. “Because he is such a loudmouth.”

He huffed as he released me and clutched my hand. “I see you’ve met my painful sisters. What lies have they been telling you about me?” Despite his words, his smile showed how much love he had for his family.

My heart swelled at the privilege of witnessing such wholesomeness.

“Shush up, you.” Maria waved her hand at him. “Go shower. You stink.”

His eyes darted from Maria to me.

“Daisy will be fine.” Maria grabbed my hand and pulled me back from her brother. “Now go. You smell like rotten fish.”

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