Page 44 of Merciless Monster

“That’s a tall order. I’m pretty happy right now.”

“This is only the beginning. I promise,” my beautiful man says before he kisses me passionately.

I lose myself once more in the arms of the man who stumbled back into my life.

* * *

I’m still on cloud nine. I’m convinced that my feet haven’t hit the ground yet, as I float around the pharmacy in blissful memories of the weekend away with Dante.

“Good grief. Hello! Earth to Mia!” Gina laughs.

“Huh? What? Sorry, I was deep in thought. What did you say?”

“You seem to be more absent these days than present. I take it that things are hotting up with Dante.”

“Like a brushfire, my friend.”

“I see.”

“I agreed to move in with him.”

Gina looks at me for a moment before she responds. What is it with her and Dante?

“Okay.”

“You don’t look nearly as excited as I thought you would.”

“No. I am. Really. When is the big day?”

“He’s arranged a moving van for the weekend.”

“Is Angelo happy?”

“Is he happy? He adores Dante. He’s telling everyone he knows that we’re moving into a palace with a pool,” I laugh.

“He’s so cute. How are things between him and Dante?”

“Peas in a pod.”

“I’m happy for you, M. I really am.”

“Thanks, Gina. I don’t know where this is going just yet, but I’m trying not to look too far ahead into the future. I seem to do that everytime I date a man and look where it’s gotten me so far. So, this time I’m taking it one day at a time.”

“Smart.”

* * *

“I’m moving in with Dante, Mom.”

My mother is quiet on the other end of the phone call.

“Are you sure, my love?” she asks me after the protracted silence during which I imagine she’s biting down on the lip so as not to react in haste.

“I’m sure, Mom. We’re in love and Angelo is crazy about Dante. It will be good for the two of them to spend time together. They need to get to know each other.”

“When are you going to tell Dante that he’s Angelo’s father?”

Ouch! Trust a mother to deliver a slap that jerks you right back into the real world.

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