Page 39 of La Dolce Vita

The phone rang. Catalina sat up in bed. Dominic lay on his back at her side. The ringing phone disturbed him, and she knew he had an early morning. His hand rested on her bare breast. He pinched her nipple before it dropped off. He turned over, away.

"Answer it!" he grunted.

She kissed his shoulder and then reached for it.

"Pronto?"she yawned.

"Catalina? It's me. Rosetta," a soft voice spoke.

She frowned. "What do you want?"

"Hi. I know it's early."

"Let me guess. I was on your mind?" Catalina asked. "Don't bother being fake. I know you found a way to convince Mirabella to let you sneak back into the family."

"I'm grateful to her. I know it comes with the stipulation that I make amends with you. I won't keep you, but I have an idea."

Catalina groaned. "I don't care about your ideas."

"I'm in Palermo now. I'm staying at Francesca's. She's remodeling the store with all of the new pieces from Mirabella's and Fabiana's fashions; business is good. It's popular here with the tourists."

"And?" Catalina yawned.

"Before I come to Sorrento I want us to have a better understanding. A real talk. Can you come here? Francesca would love to see you. She said she's talked to you about a visit before you go to Paris."

"Isn't this a coincidence," Catalina drawled the words. "Mirabella just suggested the same. Bring you back here so we can go to Paris together."

"She did? I mean, wow, I'm so grateful," Rosetta said.

"I bet you are," Catalina snickered.

"So, can you come?" Rosetta asked.

"I'll think about it."

"Wait. Please. Give me another chance. A real one. If I screw it up, then you can say you told them so. Right? The hard work’s on me. Right? Come to Palermo. Let's work out the arrangement between us so we can show the Donna we can handle this. Give me a chance."

"I said I'll see! Just leave me alone!" Catalina hung up.

Dominic lifted his head from the pillow. He looked back at her with concern. "Who was that?"

Catalina folded her arms. "Did you know that Mirabella agreed to let Rosetta come back here?"

"She did?" Dominic turned over and ran his hand over Catalina's stomach underneath the blanket. She shut her thighs to him. She was in no mood. Rosetta ruined it.

"Why?" he asked and kissed her stomach.

"She said it's because Vito is sick and thatZiaJosefina is stressed with worry. She said that I need to make her my apprentice. Use her to help because Marietta is pregnant and can't travel with me."

"Sounds like a good idea."

"Huh? You're on her side now?" Catalina asked.

He chuckled. He dragged her down, so she lay next to him and turned her face to his. He pinched her jaw, so her lips puckered and gave her a kiss. "The only side I am on is yours. Always. But right now emotions are very strained in the family. And one of the things we want to do is help the Donna. Right?" he asked.

"I guess."

"Do you hate her that much, Catalina? She's your cousin."

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