Page 6 of Hot Momosa

Maggie laughed. “I can think of better ways to relieve stress, but if it helps, go for it.”

I doubt anything can relieve this stress. Any-freaking-thing.

We walked outside together, but I hung back as three generations of Marchionnis crowded around Rocco. A year ago, I would have been at Leo’s side in the middle of the party. His brothers would have teased us about being just friends, his father would have given us curious glances, and his mother would have given me her infamous dirty looks—but I would have belonged.

They might have been mobsters, and Leo and I might have kept a huge secret from them, but I’d never felt like a stranger on the outside looking in with his family.

Until today.

I couldn’t stand there pretending my heart wasn’t broken. Not to mention, I didn’t want to explain the tears threatening to run down my face, so like a coward, I snuck back inside while everyone was distracted.

“Dalia, wait.” Leo caught up with me outside the servants’ entrance.

I closed my eyes and counted to five before I turned to face him. “I have to go.”

“Give me five minutes.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and dipped his chin, a very un-Leo-like posture. “Please.”

I can’t do this with him now. My heart won’t survive it.

“The nanny called. Gunnar is running a fever.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I wanted to take them back. Besides the fact he and my nanny were on friendly terms—friendly enough for him to call her and check up on our son—I’d never lied to Leo.

“How high is it?” He shook his head and pulled out his keys. “It doesn’t matter. He’s had ear infections since summer. He should see a doctor. I’ll go with you.”

That he knew about the ear infections surprised me, although it shouldn’t have. The more I thought about his deception the more it ticked me off. I made a mental note to have a long talk with my traitorous nanny. If Leo wanted to know how Gunnar was doing, he should have asked me.

But he didn’t, because he didn’t want to see me.

“It’s Saturday. The pediatrician’s office is closed, and I don’t think he’s sick enough to go to the emergency room.” I gathered my courage and said, “You have five minutes. Start talking.”

“What’s the deal with you and Harrison?” He folded his arms and stared as if he had every right to ask about my personal life.

I’d known Leo since I was eighteen, but this was the first time he’d ever reminded me of his father. That he’d decided to go all mobster about my love life pissed me off. It was petty of me not to set the record straight right then and there, but I didn’t care. “I don’t see where this is any of your business.”

“It became my business when you decided to move my son to Baton Rouge.”

Now he cares? Because he thinks I’m going to shack up with another man?

I needed to put an end to the conversation and get the heck out of there before I said something I’d regret. “He’s a good man. We’ve spent a lot of time together attending rallies and fundraisers for my dad.”

“But?”

“No buts.” I shrugged to play off the half-truth. “Now, if that’s all you wanted to talk about, I should go.”

“Dahl, please. I’m trying here, but everything I say seems to piss you off.” He took my hand. “Talk to me.”

“Harrison asked me to marry him.”

Leo released my fingers and stepped back. “Let me guess, your father is all for it.”

“Yes, but…” I closed the physical distance between us, even though I knew nothing would close the emotional gap. “I’m not in love with him. We’re just friends.”

He swallowed hard. “Like you and I were just friends?”

“You and I were never just friends.” I couldn’t look at him. Not when he stood there staring as if he didn’t know how to interpret my words. Not when the man I’d spent my entire adult life waiting for seemed like a stranger. Not when I’d worked so hard to put any thought of us behind me.

“I should have called you.” His voice softened.

“Why didn’t you?”

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