Page 98 of Come Back to Me

“Bah! Time is overrated. ‘Time heals all wounds.’ No, it lessens the pain, doesn’t make a scab, doesn’t prevent a scar. It provides distance. But distance isn’t what you need. You’ve done the distance thing. You had no closure. He wrote you a letter and severed ties. You had no means of screaming at him before, but now you do.”

“I’m not like you, Nonna.”

“Ha! You’re my spitting image. You think I didn’t throw pots and pans at yourNonno?”

“You did?” I gasp. “Didn’t you hurt him?”

She shrugs. “He deserved it.”

“That’s called domestic abuse nowadays.”

“Then, it was called female hysteria. He soon learned not to infuriate me by talking to thatputtananeighbor of ours who always made him cupcakes on his birthday.”

The flash in her eyes has me frowning. “You were jealous?”

“Si, and like a good husband, he should have thrown them away. Accepted them politely then tossed them in the trash as soon as she was out of sight.” She pffts. “It took him three years to see sense, but he learned eventually.”

I gust out my cheeks. “I guess Anthony gets it fromnonno, huh? Too slow for words.”

“Perhaps. Though he’s a better father.” Her gaze turns knowing. “Why don’t you want to visit with your nieces, hmm?”

“I don’t like children.”

“You think I do?”

“You’re Italian.”

“And?”

“Wait, you don’t?”

“Dirty little things,” she dismisses. “But when they’re your blood... it’s different.” She wags her finger at me. “Bring him tomorrow. You can see the girls and?—”

“No. I’m not ready.” I don’t care if I’m being childish, but I get to my feet. “I’m going, Nonna. Zee’s got an interview scheduled in ninety minutes.”

She eyes me over her glasses, her exasperation plain. “What interview?”

“You remember I told you about the family’s PR campaign?”

“Oh, is she still dreading that?”

“She is, but whatever Colt’s wunderdick did has her agreeing to it.”

“I miss wunderdicks.”

“Mr. Ravenly Sr. doesn’t have one?”

“Maybe forty years ago.” She clicks her fingers. “If she doesn’t want to do it, she shouldn’t. Their father made the mess?—”

“That’s not their fault either. Not everyone has a family like mine.” I shoot her a smile. “Mine is the best. Even Anthony.”

Her cackle makes my heart happy. “Tell her from me that I can’t wait to watch her on the TV.”

“That’ll just make her nervous. You know she likes to impress you.”

That has her beaming. “Exactly. She’ll be more nervous about that than the interview.”

I wag a finger at her. “I clearly inherited my deviousness from you.”

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