Page 104 of Hold Him Like Gravity

I’d been busting my butt promoting the plant shop on socials and through flyers, including ones I had up at the meat shop.

By mid-day, I felt safe saying that Lombardi Living Roots was already a success.

No, I was never going to getrichselling plants. But I didn’t need to. Rico made more than enough money to keep us comfortable. I just wanted to do something that brought me joy. And, well, the family could always use another way to wash a little money.

Saff made her way out mid-day after a particularly tense call but I had visits from a bunch of the women in the family throughout the day, reminding me why I’d chosen the name for the shop that I had.

Becauserootswere exactly what this family had given me. For once in my life, I was safe and stable enough to let my roots grow good and deep, without fear that they might get pulled out at any time. And that allowed me to finally thrive, to reach my own full potential.

Instead of bells on the door, I’d opted for this cute little door chime that chirped like a bird.

“I’ll be right out,” I called, washing my hands after repotting a plant that a curious three-year-old had knocked down while his mom was distracted by a particularly gorgeous Pink Princess philodendron.

“You’re taking a quick lunch break,” Rico’s voice said, walking into the back room with me.

Before I could turn, he was moving in behind me at the sink, pinning me against it with his body. He ducked down, his lips going to my neck, kissing that spot just behind my ear I loved so much.

“Been busy over here,” he said, and my belly flip-flopped at the idea of him watching.

He’d been so supportive through the whole process. Renting the building, helping me plan the interior of the shop, carting endless packages inside with me, listening to my late night panic attacks about it all being a giant failure, and even taking a bunch of the promotional images for the shop for me.

I couldn’t have gotten to opening day without him.

“It has,” I agreed, melting against him. “I think it’s going to go well.”

“I know it is,” he said, teeth nipping my earlobe as his hand slid up my belly.

I glanced down, seeing the ring on his finger I’d slipped on just four months ago. I still got all warm and gooey inside when I saw it. And finally understood why, all during our engagement, he would always turn my hand to look at my engagement ring on my finger.

It had been a gorgeous wedding.

Lots of flowers.

All of our loved ones.

Even some of the other Five Family members had shown up.

One of them, Anthony Costa, who’d done most of the work on our condo, had nearly knocked over our wedding cake, but had been pulled away by his tie at the last possible second by his wife.

But other than that, it had gone off without a hitch. Save for a particular floral arrangement that had caused a lot of stir, all of the capos standing around talking in hushed voices with concerned eyes until Saff had grabbed my hand, dragged me over there, and demanded that Rico tell me what was going on.

And that was that the flowers had been sent by my brother.

He hadn’t made contact since Rico and the others had driven him out of the city. I honestly hadn’t even cared to keep tabs on him, to know what he was up to. After what he’d done in my past, he’d forfeited his right to my future.

The flowers had been daisies, my favorite when I was a kid. And the card had been a simpleI’m sorry. You deserved better. I hope you’re happy.

I didn’t hate Jake. Even after everything.

But that didn’t mean he was forgiven.

It didn’t mean he would ever be allowed in my life again.

I had my real family now.

The ones who would do everything in their power to protect me, to support me. The ones who genuinely loved me.

“This is very unprofessional of us,” I said as Rico’s hands slid under my shirt and slipped under the cups of my bra, cupping me, teasing.

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