Page 44 of Crazed

She runs her hand through my hair, helping to soothe my nerves. She beams at me as she says, "I can't wait to see it."

I kiss the top of her head and take a deep breath, wondering how she's going to react to my next statement. I cautiously add, "I wouldn't want anyone else next to me. Plus, everyone will be here tonight."

My pulse pounds hard between my ears, drowning out the traffic outside the SUV. She locks eyes with me and swallows hard. "Everyone, as in your family?"

I nod. "Yes."

Anxiety takes over her features. She scrunches her face and tilts her head. "Do you...do you think it's a good idea for me to meet them tonight?"

I tug her onto my lap and drag the back of my knuckles over her cheek. "I should have introduced you to my family after we started seeing each other. That's my fault and on me. So, yes, tonight is as good as any other one."

Silence fills the air. Her apprehension doesn't dissolve.

I push my chest out, overpowering the doubt in my mind, and firmly state, "Trust me, dolce. My family will love you."

If only they knew the real Katiya instead of the image they have in their heads.

If they aren't nice and welcoming to her, I'll kill them.

Maybe this is a bad idea.

Too late.

Change the subject.

I ask, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?"

She tilts her head. "To live?"

"I meant for vacation, but is there somewhere else you want to live besides New York?" I inquire, surprised anyone would want to leave the city I grew up in and love so much.

A tiny smile plays on her lips. She answers, "Yes. I would move, but it would be the same place I would go for vacation, I guess. Not that I take vacations."

Curiosity hits me. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Okay, where would you live and vacation—although vacationing where you live is kind of lame," I tease.

She pushes my shoulder and pretends to pout. "Hey! I'm not telling you now!"

"Aww, come on," I urge, then peck her on the lips.

She hesitates then replies, "St. Pete, Florida."

Surprise fills me at her answer. I've traveled all over Europe, to some parts of Central and South America, and most Caribbean islands. While St. Pete is a great place, it's not a place I would have expected her to pick. I question, "Why there?"

The light in her eyes sparks again, burning brighter as she speaks. "When I was a little girl, my neighbor who babysat me went there on vacation. She had brochures on her hotel and the beach. For months before she went, she'd read them to me and showed me all the photos. When she returned from her trip, she claimed the sand was as white as the pictures and gave me a huge starfish. Something about her stories of the little shops and restaurants sounded idyllic to me."

"So you've never been there?" I ask.

Katiya shakes her head. "No. But did you also know they hold the record for the most consecutive days of sunshine?"

"No, I didn't," I admit.

"768 days!" she exclaims.

"Wow!" I tug her closer to me and grin. "Okay, it's settled, then."

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