Page 79 of Married with Mayhem

“What type? I’m picky.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Why?”

He leans in with a wolfish grin. “Because I’m very sure that a pearl necklace is going to look damn good on you, Sabrina. Just tell me when you’re ready to wear it.”

My cheeks heat up and my tongue won’t work. He laughs.

“I walked right into that one,” I mumble.

“Yeah, you did,” he agrees, pleased with himself.

On my way to find my mother, I spot a keychain with my name on it and decide I can’t pass it up. I dump the keychain and Monte’s new sunglasses on the counter, where Mama is buying half the store. She wants to get a closer look at the wall art behind the register but I can tell Monte is about to start pacing with exasperation so I assure her we have enough souvenirs. Monte carries everything to the car for us and we’re finally on our way again.

We start seeing signs for the small town of Sleepy Rock near five p.m. and thirty minutes after that we’re pulling up to the curb in front of Luca and Anni’s cute house. I texted Anni when we got close to town and they’re already waiting in the frontyard. Anni waves. Luca holds a little pink bundle with my niece inside.

At this point, I’m hanging out the window and waving like a maniac, ignoring Monte’s sharp commands to sit down. The car barely brakes to a halt before I’m diving out the door and making a madcap dash to my sister. Anni is faster than I am and we collide near the car.

“Missed you, MISSED YOU!” I’m squeezing her and she squeezes me back.

“Missed you too, Brina,” she laughs as we stagger around the front lawn.

“Let me see you.” I pull back to take in the sight of my sister. “Anni, you look amazing. Radiant. I can’t believe you’re a mother now.”

“Annalisa.” My mother has exited the car and her eyes are cloudy as she stares at my sister.

Anni smiles and holds her arms out. “Mama, I’m so glad you’re here.”

My mother lets out a little cry and runs to her. They haven’t seen each other in over a year, not since Anni and Luca left New York after my father’s funeral. Mama and I moved to Sicily the next day and while I visited Colorado during the holidays, she stayed behind.

Now she holds Anni’s face in her hands. She kisses her cheeks and whispers endearments in Italian. A lot of emotions run through me as I watch their reunion.

Historically, Anni and Mama had a distant relationship. Anni has always been so brash and independent, to the point where she makes people nervous. Our strict and traditional mother never knew what to make of such a fiery middle daughter.

My heart becomes a gooey puddle at the sight of them together now. Mama lovingly fusses over her while Anni for once allows herself to be pampered with attention.

Luca closes the distance between us with a broad grin on his handsome face. I kind of skip saying hello to him at first because I am completely enraptured by the tiny bundle he’s holding.

“Janie, meet your grandmother and your Aunt Sabrina,” Luca says and Jane’s eyelashes flutter. There’s a dusting of dark hair on her small head and her mouth flexes in a precious little yawn.

The sight of my sister’s child makes my eyes mist over and my throat tighten. She’s the most perfect little human I’ve ever seen and I’m filled with so much love for her that I can hardly breathe. I want her to have everything, to be adored everywhere she goes. I want her life to be perfect.

Luca gives Jane to her grandmother first. Mama’s tears flow freely as she carefully takes Anni’s baby in her arms. The two of them stare at each other and I feel lucky to witness their instant bond.

Meanwhile, Luca walks over to greet Monte, who leans against the hood of the car, doing nothing but looking ludicrously hot as he watches the scene unfold. Luca and Monte share the kind of gruff back-slapping embrace that only men do. Luca murmurs something to Monte but I don’t know if Monte answers because Mama is calling my name.

I feel nervous as my mother gently transfers my niece into my arms. It’s hard to believe that someone I just met could inspire so much unconditional love that I’m ready to burst. Jane is alert and the way she scans my face with intense concentration reminds me of my sister.

“You’re so beautiful,” I coo in a soft voice. “Just like your mother. Sweet little Janie. I love you more than the world.”

Her eyes don’t waver from my face. It’s not realistic to believe she understands what I’m saying and yet somehow I’m sure that she does.

Mama is eager to hold Jane again so in a few minutes I give up her warm little body with reluctance. Meanwhile, Luca has persuaded Monte to come a little closer and Anni finally notices him.

She tosses her hair over her shoulder and props her hands on her hips. “That’s right,” she says. “This happened.” She glances at the ring on my finger with a scowl and then turns her attention back to Monte.

“Hi, Anni,” he says and tolerates the way she looks him up and down with obvious irritation.

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