Page 151 of Married with Mayhem

He laughs.

Since I still don’t trust my cousins enough to leave Sabrina alone with them for even a minute, I wait until Nico returns before heading behind the counter to grab drink refills. For some reason, Getty trails after me.

“What do you want?” I ask as I bend down to grab more beers from the fridge behind the counter. But when I straighten up, I notice he’s not paying attention to me at all.

He’s staring at the Memory Wall. The photos of our grandparents might be of some interest to him but there’s only one photo he’s here to get a closer look at. As Getty stares into the eyes of Teresa Castelli Tempesta, I think about how it must have been for him to grow up without her and know that he witnessed her murder. I’ve always assumed he didn’t remember that day. He wasn’t even three years old. But there’s no way to tell what goes on inside his head.

My dad happens to exit the kitchen and immediately sees what Getty is staring at. The shadow of sorrow on his face says that my father sees exactly what I’m seeing.

Right now, Gaetano Tempesta doesn’t look at all like an unpredictable and dangerous man. He’s just a heartbroken son who has never stopped mourning his beloved mother.

My dad clears his throat as he steps up. “I’ve got some old pictures at the house. Your mother is in a lot of them. Your grandparents too. I’ll give them to you before you leave. You can bring them home and show your brothers. Would you like that, Getty?”

My cousin slowly nods and finally tears his eyes away from the photo. “Yeah. Thanks, Uncle Sal.”

It’s a small miracle when Getty decides to pitch in and help me carry the drinks back to the table. Julian and Nico are laughing at something Sabrina said.

My wife gives me a smile when I place her soda refill in front of her. “Grazie, Mr. Castelli.”

She keeps her face tilted up, expecting a kiss.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Castelli.” I wait until I’m back in my seat and then I pull her into my lap.

As always, witnesses mean nothing to me. I move my hand to the back of her neck and dive in to claim her lips. My tongue gets a full minute workout and she responds with eagerness.

“Are they always like this?” Getty complains to Nico.

“Par for the course,” he admits.

Sabrina breaks away. “No lies detected,” she says. She plants a final kiss on my lips.

But she doesn’t get to leave my lap. I’m keeping her right here with me and she’s happy to stay.

She should be. This is exactly where she belongs.

EPILOGUE

SABRINA

Six Months Later...

“Idon’t know, Brina.” My mother gives her reflection another critical appraisal.

“Mama, stop. You look beautiful.”

She’s still not convinced and runs her hands over the sleek black sheath. “I think I should change.”

“You definitely shouldnotchange. He’ll be here any second. Just wait until he sees how hot you are.”

She seems mildly scandalized by this prospect. I’m not exaggerating. She looks amazing. We made a day out of getting her ready for her date tonight. She got her hair done, she had a manicure, and she chose a dress. She was too nervous to eat lunch. In a hilarious role switch, I had to coax her into eating a few bites of hummus and veggies. The last two hours have been spent here at her apartment getting ready.

The knock on the door is expected and yet it still makes her jump.

“I’ll get it,” I say. “You stay here.”

Mama takes one more anxious look in the mirror and touches up her mascara.

I know who will be on the other side of the door and I bet he’s just as nervous as my mother.

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