Page 55 of Till Death Do Us Part

We both laughed, and Lolita said we were going to hell for it, or we’d get payback in the form of brats ten times worse than Alina’s two. After Lolita gave them cookies to decorate, things became quiet on her side, except for the sound of her doing dishes.

“Has Isa bothered you about going the hospital again?” she asked.

“No,” I said. “And I’m not opening our group text right now. I’m on vacation.”

“Smart. She’s being a pain in the ass about it.”

“She’s pushing for it.”

“Ever since John showed up at Babbo’s house, she’s been suspicious. Be careful.”

“Lo—”

“La la la,” she sang. “It doesn’t matter to me. When I was thinking about doing what I was going to do, you supported me no matter what. You climbed out the window for me. I’m going to do the same for you.”

She would, but it wouldn’t be that simple.

“How’s Sandro?”

“Nice subject change, but I’m being serious, Y. There’s a difference between me and everyone else. You told me about the guy in your head before he appeared. That kind of shit doesn’t happen every day. And to have John and Jack be related? It’s like something got twisted along the way, but fate is trying to fix it. Do you think that’s why I lost sight in one eye? Because if you tell me my loss is not in vain, it’ll make it a lot easier for me to accept.”

I really didn’t know how to respond to that. I was about to say something, though, when Lo started shouting at the kids again.

“Shit. Gotta go, Y. Don’t put icing in the cat’s fur!” The line went dead.

If Lo’s theory was the truth, how shitty would that be if my sister had to lose the use of an eye for me to find Felice?

The night was catching up to me, and I was tired of spinning the wheels in my head, so I decided to close my eyes for a few minutes. It was too cold outside, even in the sun. Grabbing a blanket and taking a nap on the sofa near the fireplace seemed nice.

It felt like I’d just closed my eyes when something tickled my lips. My eyes sprang open. Felice sat on the edge of the sofa, sitting up from a bending position.

“Please tell me you kissed me and that wasn’t a bug or something.”

He chuckled. “Or something. A big-ass carnivore.”

We stared at each other for a second before a sleepy smile spread across my face. “I’m so happy you’re home.”

He made a pleased sound. “Say that again.”

“What?”

“Call this place home.”

I had called it home, but what I meant was this was his home, and I was glad he was in it with me. I refused to squabble over technicalities, though. “Welcome home, Felice Maggio.”

He leaned down and kissed me again. I understood how all those princesses woke up for it. If it was anything like this, I’d be tempted to fall from heaven for it.

I blinked at him as he pulled away, setting his hand between my thighs.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

“Not since this morning.”

“I got everything on the list and picked us up lunch.”

He seemed so proud of himself. I started laughing, getting to a sitting position, throwing my arms around his neck. He set me on his lap, and we started kissing again.

His were rougher. Mine were almost frantic.

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