Page 60 of Beneath the Sapphire Sky

Dante lost the ability to speak for the second time in as many minutes. He swallowed and coughed to try to regain the function of his vocal cords.

Marry Belle? Could he salvage enough of their relationship that she’d consider it? Not necessarily now, but in the future?

He hadn’t called her back. She’d said she’d call him when she had time. He didn’t want to intrude on her time with her mother while she was in hospital.

But when he’d got back toward town and had finally had phone reception and had seen her missed call? His heart had nearly given out with relief. He’d replayed her message over and over, thanking whoever wanted recognition that she’d called him.

I just hope you can forgive me.

She’d cut him to his soul with her hurtful words, with her lack of faith in him, but the fact that she’d stepped up and apologised, that she knew she’d screwed up? That meant a lot.

“I heard about what she said to you. She said those things because she feels guilt that she chose time with you over hermother. You love her, she loves you. If you wait, you will lose her. Would you rather see her with someone else, because you were too scared to face the truth? Would you prefer to see her with Raphael?”

Did his father really think she loved him like that? Could he let himself hope? Deep-seated yearning that drilled down to his very soul, drenched every synapse and nerve with longing and pain. He missed her so much.

Raph’s name had the desired effect as his father’s words sank in. Heat flooded Dante’s vision. He tried to hold his breath and count to ten. He failed miserably.

“Raph has nothing to do with this and I’ll kill the bastard if he tries to swoop in and be the saviour. She’s too good for him.”

“Bah!” Sam grunted and flicked his hand in the air. “You and the other boys are the same, too stubborn to accept what is right in front of you. Bella is the best thing to ever happen to you. Why won’t you accept it and be done?”

Dante paced the concrete floor and shoved both hands through his hair. “Why won’tyouaccept that we might have screwed it up? That we ruined it by stepping past those boundaries. We can’t go back to being just friends. Not when…”

Not when I know how good it could be.

He eyeballed his father, frustration, anger, and pain tightening his skin. “You’re just griping because if she doesn’t come back, you won’t get your regular dose of tiramisu.”

Sam chuckled. “You don’t want to be responsible for me missing my dessert.” He stepped forward and took Dante’s shoulders in his gnarled, weather-beaten hands. “Friends as strong as you two can overcome anything. Don’t let your hurt pride steal your future. Forever is a long time to regret.”

His father straightened and his face softened. “I wantnipotibefore I am dead. You must give them to me. The others have no chance until I am a corpse.”

Dante burst out laughing. He shook his head. “Oh, you’re too good, Pa. Grandkids? Talk to Valeria or Leo. They’re the most likely to give you that.”

Sam shook his head. “No. I accept only from you and Bella. You must be first.”

Dante watched him go, his stomach in knots from their heated conversation.

Kids with Belle.

It wasn’t as if it hadn’t crossed his mind, particularly over the last couple of years.

A family with his best friend.

What could be better?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Belle looked upto see Mac standing by the end of the bar in the Emerald Barrel. She sent him a smile and held up a finger as she continued speaking into the phone. He nodded and leaned against the old wooden bar.

Her mother had been transferred yesterday to the local hospital. Belle had only got back from the city late last night and she’d had to come straight in to the restaurant.

She’d put off calling Dante again, preferring to see him in person. The awards were tonight. He’d be there.

She almost cringed at herself. She was nervous, that’s why she hadn’t already gone over to see him and instead had let herself get snaffled in to work.

Had it really only been four days since everything went to hell in a handbasket? It felt like a lifetime.

She finished the call and moved over to where Mac stood.

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