Page 61 of Naughty and Nice
“Once I researched the feast of seven fishes, I couldn’t wait to experience it.”
She ushered us inside.
I gasped. The interior was completely different than I recalled. While the marble floor was the same, the walls were painted a soft gray. The furnishings no longer resembled a museum but looked elegant and homey. “The inside…it’s actually homey.” I turned toward the front sitting room. While it was filled with familiar faces, I noticed that the grand piano was gone. “And the piano is gone.”
“We had it moved to Joséfina’s wing. She plays. Neither Rei nor I do. Do you?”
“No,” I answered with a grin.
“Nick,” Rei called, luring my husband back toward where Gerardo’s office used to be.
“Are you going to be all right?” he asked with concern.
I reached for Jasmine’s arm. “I’ll be good.”
She patted my hand. “Let me show you what Rei had done out back.”
My eyes were taking in all the improvements. “Even the artwork has changed. It used to be so cold in here.”
“Rei did a lot before we married. Since then, he encouraged me to make the house more like us. Joséfina has helped.”
“You’ve done a fabulous job.”
We stopped at the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. “The pool.”
Jasmine smiled. “The long lap pool was impractical for children. Rei had it removed, and this new pool installed. See the large shallow area?”
“With stone sunchairs.”
“Yes,” she said. “I love reading out there. And one day José will be playing in the shallow end.”
“José,” I repeated, thinking of my bodyguard.
“We found out we’re having a boy. If the baby was a girl, I wanted to name her Josie after my sister. José is the masculine version—Joséph.”
“That’s beautiful. I’m sure your sister would be honored.”
“Dario’s mother won’t approve.” She lifted her chin. “And I don’t give a shit.”
“Did she come? Is she here?”
“She’s here. If it wasn’t for Ariadna Gia, she’d be totally miserable.” Jasmine laughed. “I know you have reason to hate this home, but Rei has made me feel like a queen in a castle. I couldn’t be happier here with him and Joséfina…and a million guards and staff.” She laughed again. “Even the wicked Luciano witch can’t refuse my invitation.”
I took her in, sensing her confidence. It was my turn to laugh. “Good for you.”
“Let’s go join the others,” Jasmine said.
She led me toward the dining room. Never in my memory had the mammoth room looked so inviting. It was always cold when there were only two people dining. Now, a giant table was set. I started to count the chairs.
“Twenty-eight in the main dining room,” Jasmine said, “and more in the back.”
We entered the kitchen that led to a large sunroom, both filled with women. I saw Isabella with her sisters and cousins. She’d told me how excited she was to see them. I recognized Noemi, Marisa, Aria, and Cenzi from Isabella and Em’s wedding. My smile grew when I saw Sofia in the kitchen standing by Lola, Valentina’s cook.
“Sofia,” I said, going closer.
“Lily. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It’s a little weird, isn’t it?”
