Page 103 of Better Left Unsaid

Luckily for me, it was only the beginning for us.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Maria

I surveyed myhouse, taking in everything Marge had done for Isabella’s sixth birthday party. “It’s magnificent. Truly.” Again, she captured everything I was going for. “I don’t know how you do it, but you outdo yourself every year.”

A very pleased-with-herself Marge smiled and adjusted a balloon arch before walking over to give me a hug. “It’s always a pleasure, Maria. I’m going to slip out now, but I hope your daughter and her friends have the best time.”

“Thank you,” I returned, and before I could walk her out, she was gone, and Dom was standing in her place, looking every bit the handsome devil he was.

He wore dark blue jeans and a black shirt. Of course, around his neck was the gold chain that was essentially a Dom staple. “Hey, you,” I said, walking toward him and slipping my arms around his waist. It felt so frigging good to know I could do that freely now without worrying that we’d get caught. Or without having to overanalyze my actions.

In return, Dom held me close and placed a kiss on my lips. “You look gorgeous, as always.”

I looked down at my white sleeveless turtleneck and wide-legged trousers. “Thanks. I just wonder how the birthday girl is coming along and what she looks like in her fancy new pink party dress.”

“With feathers,” Dom added and grinned.

We’d heard Isabella go on about her dress and the faux feather details all week.

Before I could turn around to go upstairs and check on her, the birthday girl came bounding down the stairs holding a shiny silver tiara. “Mommy! Help me put this on, please. Aunt Bibi gave it to me.”

Of course she did.

I took the delicate accessory and bent down to put it on her.

At my side, Dom kept his hand on my shoulder and winked at Isabella when I had it in place. “You look like a princess.”

Beaming, Isabella spun around to give us the full effect. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m ready for my party. Mommy, can it start now?” Then she walked away and ran her hand over what would be the present table, playing with the decorative confetti that was on it.

Standing up, I brushed my hands over my pants. “Soon, sweetie. Everyone will be here soon. But first, we have something special we want to give you. Can we sit down?” I asked and gestured to the couch.

Dom led the way and picked Isabella up, setting her on his lap.

“Is it my present?” Isabella asked, looking intrigued, and it dawned on me how my little girl was no longer a little girl—she was six going on sixteen.

Chuckling, Dom and I exchanged looks. “It is,” I confirmed. But really, it was so much more than that. “First, we have to ask you something very important, and we want you to be honest with us, okay?”

Isabella nodded. “Okay.”

I looked at Dom and gave him the go-ahead to take the lead. He cleared his throat and looked down at my daughter with so much love that my heart sang. “What would you say if I was around more?”

“More?” Isabella asked, her eyes going wide, and I had to laugh. She had a way with words, huh?

“Yes.More,” Dom answered, a tinge of amusement in his voice.

“Like if your uncle Dom and mommy were,” I paused not sure how to put it other than just saying it, “in love and spent time together like a couple.”

Isabella rolled her lips. “Like my friends at school with a mommy and a daddy?”

Swallowing hard, I looked at Dom. Would he be okay with that analogy? Before I could think about it for another second, he was quick to answer, “Yes, but I’d never replace your real daddy, who watches over you from Heaven—”

“Like Nonna,” Isabella finished for him.

“Exactly,” he said and tapped the tip of her nose. “So would you like that, if I was around more?”

Isabella tapped her chin and looked up, making a real show of it before turning around and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Yes!” she shouted. “I’d love that.”

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