Page 73 of Wicked Truths

I let out a laugh as I grab a box of lasagna from the pantry and start boiling a pot of water. I might as well make a lasagna to go with the sauce.

“You already know most of it.”

“Most, but not everything. Have you seen Rhett? Does he still look hot? Are you going to rekindle your relationship with him? Is he even single?”

“Rhett picked me up from the airport, and I had to stay with him the first night in town because my plane was delayed and the apartment office closed before I could get my keys.”

“Ah, fate intervened.”

“It wasn’t fate.”

“If you say so, but answer this. Why couldn’t your dad or Joey pick you up? Why couldn’t you stay at home instead of your ex-boyfriend’s apartment?”

“Dad and Joey were busy, and I picked up my keys the next morning, so it was easier to already be here. Besides, my car broke down before I moved.”

“See? That’s fate. Is Rhett still single?”

I don’t answer her question as I stir the noodles, then the sauce.

She chuckles and continues. “Duh, that’s obvious. If he was in a relationship, either casual or serious, he wouldn’t have let you stay in his apartment. Did you sleep in his bed?”

I can imagine the grin on her face.

“Whatever.” I mumble as I drain the water from the noodles, preheat the oven, and get the pan ready to layer the lasagna.

“What are you doing at this late hour?”

“Making homemade sauce and lasagna while listening to the radio.”

“Oh my God, that sounds incredible. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had your lasagna? Freeze me a piece and I’ll eat it the next time I come down for a visit.”

“I’ll freeze you some, but it will be in Rhett’s freezer.” When I’m done layering the noodles, sauce, and cheese in the glass pan, I put the lasagna in the oven and set the timer.

“Why will it be in his freezer?” She pauses for amoment. “Oh my God! You’re at his place, aren’t you? Does this mean you two are a couple again?”

“Well, we did pretty much declare our love for one another again.”

She whispers, “Is he there now? Has he been listening to our conversation?”

“No. After saving me, we talked about the past two years and how we felt about each other, then he left because he had plans with Joey.”

“What kind of plans?”

“I’m not sure. No doubt related to the Rossis, as well as my kidnapping.”

She huffs. “I can’t believe they’re still treating you like a fucking child and refusing to let you be involved.”

“Yeah, well, it won’t last much longer.”

“That’s my girl! Besides, there’s always a job for you with Dad. He’s been begging me to get you to come onboard for years.”

Really? Sure, Uncle Tony always offers me a job every time we speak, but Angelica never mentioned it.

“But you’ve never said anything or pushed me.”

“That’s because it should be your decision, and your decision alone, to work for Dad. Obviously, it would be awesome to work alongside you, but I’d never pressure you or try to persuade you.”

“And I love you for that. Every job I used to do with AJ made me feel guilty, like I shouldn’t want to keep working with him because I was somehow betraying Dad’s trust.”

---