Page 58 of Naughty and Nice
“Oh,” I said disappointedly. “I wish I would have been able to see her for longer.”
Izzy’s blue eyes widened. “I’m sure she understood that you and Nick had more important things to do.”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “It must seem so weird to look at our relationship from the outside, but even though I’ve known Nick for years, I feel like we’re getting to know one another all over again. He talks.”
“Yes, I’ve heard him do that.”
“No,” I said with a scoff. “He talks and listens. We talked about so many things. Gerardo…he didn’t share.”
“Maybe it’s generational. Em talks and listens.” She shrugged. “I think Andrés does too. I’m not sure my father does.”
“I feel at ease with Nick, not like I’m constantly walking on eggshells.”
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be. I think I fell in love with Em in Mia’s office. He was showing me Mia’s programs, but he wasn’t all bossy and mansplaining. He actually listened when I spoke. My father never did.”
“It sounds like we got two of the good ones.”
“Are you going to Rei and Jasmine’s for the feast of seven fishes?”
I giggled. “I looked that up over the weekend.”
“Oh, you had time?” Her eyebrows danced. “I assumed you were constantly on your back?”
“No,” I said, the heat coming back to my cheeks. “Sometimes I was standing or bent over.” The heat radiated down my neck. “Once, I was even on top.”
Izzy’s laugh filled my office. “Good for you. And you still had time to research the feast of seven fishes and learn that it’s an ancient Catholic tradition. My family, the Lucianos, always celebrated it. We used to go to my aunt and uncle’s house in the Ozarks. Then after Dario married Catalina, the celebration moved to his home. The big question is if Aunt Arianna will go to Sacramento.”
“She’s Mia’s mother, right?”
“Right, and Dario and Dante’s.”
“Why wouldn’t she come?” I asked.
“She’s never approved of Jasmine.”
My mouth went slack. “I didn’t know that.”
“Jasmine moved in with Dario when she was really young. I honestly don’t remember a time when she wasn’t there.” Izzy’s smile dimmed. “We were horrible to her on the few occasions we saw her. She and her sister, Josie, lived with Dario. Uncle Vincent and Aunt Arianna didn’t approve, so none of us did, even Mia.”
“Mia? She and Jasmine seemed fine. They were talking at the wedding.”
“They’ve come a long way. I’ve apologized to Jasmine. I asked her at your wedding if she invited Aunt Arianna, and she said she did. All I can say is Jasmine is a better person than my aunt ever was.”
“But you don’t think your aunt will come?”
“I think if she does, it’s because Dario made her.”
“Her son.”
Izzy sat taller. “Her capo dei capi.”
“Oh, poor Jasmine.”
“Are you going?” Izzy asked.
“Now, I want to go to be there for Jasmine.”
“Yeah, I feel the same way.”
