Page 61 of Always You
She studies me, then looks over to Dante, still holding my hand, munching on his doughnut. He’s in a doughnut coma, not paying us any attention. Sophie’s royal blue eyes pierce right back to me.
“I met Mila at the university we attended; she was three months pregnant. My heart sank; she looked heartbroken, lost, with dark circles around her eyes. She didn’t have the pregnancy glow.”
I swallow the bile from regurgitating. I let go of Dante’s hand and shove my hands in my pockets, trying to keep myself in one piece.
Sophie continues, “She went through hell these past five years trying to move on, letting the ghost of her past go, and when she just started to move on, you pop up. You should've been fucking man enough to defend her from your mother. I love her and Dante. God help me, if you screw up, I will hunt you down and stab you in the eye.” She whispers the last part. Her palms press on the counter—giving me the stink eye.
“Sophie, I won’t, you have my word. You’re an amazing friend from what I can see. I’m grateful you have been there for them.”
With a nod, she takes a sip of her smoothie.
Mila laughs nervously with a mouth full of a Boston cream doughnut. She mumbles sarcastically, “You guys are going to be great friends.”
I glance at Mila, she’s worried the two people she cares about and loves are going to be at each other’s throats. Sophie has the don’t fuck with me vibe. I’m positive the New Yorker would stab me in the eye. Mila’s my everything. I will prove it to her and Sophie. I shift myself to look Sophie in the eye, letting her know I’m game.
“I’m guessing I won’t be your favorite person for a while, Sophie. I’m willing to prove to you they mean the world to me. I’m grateful they have had you in their life.”
With a sip of her drink, she gives me the stink eye again. I get it. Don’t fuck with her.
“I hope you prove it to me. I need to see my best friend happy. She’s the closest I have to a sister.” She turns to Dante, giving him a kiss and makes her way upstairs.
I cup Mila’s face, leaning in to lick the cream from her lips. I can’t get enough of her.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she softly whispers.
“Like how?”
“Like you want to eat me alive.”
“I do.” I trace her lips with my tongue. “There’s a lot I want to do with you, baby,” I say, earnestly.
“I’m sorry about Sophie, she’s overprotective of us she’s always been there for me. She means well. She doesn’t hate you.”
My lips brush her soft lips. “Don’t be sorry, I’d rather her care than not.”
Dante sneaks up next to us. “Mommy, can we go to the zoo today?”
She tilts her head. “What are you doing today?”
“Anything you two want to do.”
nineteen
MILA
After a couple of hours at the San Diego Zoo, a downpour of rain erupted from the dark clouds. We packed up and left; we had forgotten our umbrellas. On our way back, we stopped at the market to pick up some ingredients to make Caldo de Pollo,chicken soup.Nana always said soup warms the soul on a cold rainy day, which is why she always made soup on rainy days. I try to keep some of her traditions alive. I know my dad would love for me to learn all of Nana’s recipes. We had a fantastic time. It’s the happiest I’ve been in so long. It feels too good to be true.
“Mom, can I have a baby brother?”
I nearly chop my finger off while prepping the vegetables. Where in the hell did that come from? Setting the knife down, I stoop down to his level and cup his cheeks. Glancing at Dominic, a smile jots across his lips with amusement.
“Baby, that can’t happen right now, but how about we get a pet for now?”
He huffs dramatically. “Okay, Mommy, can I get a spider monkey like me, and he can swing on trees and buildings like Spiderman.” He beams with so much excitement.
Dominic snorts a laugh. Dante stares and turns to glance at Dominic with a bright smile that can make you melt. Dominic blinks a couple of times, ready to run for the hills, unsure how to answer his question.
“Can we get a monkey, Daddy?”
