Page 144 of The Last Ones Standing, Part Two

I burst into laughter. “You are so wrong. He isn’t aging like that. You both still look so good.”

“Gio is just mad he’s smaller than me.”

“Fuck outa here. Not where it counts. All that bulk makes you slow.”

“Whatever,” Jace laughs.

Gio rolls onto his side, reaches for my face, and looks into my eyes. “You’re the gem in this relationship. How did we get so lucky? Seriously, Ny. I don’t think I would have gotten this far without you both.”

I turn to face him on my side. Jace scoots over and spoons me. “All I wanted was to grow up and be with my two best friends. This has become more than I could have asked for. Thank you. I may not agree with what you have planned, but I trust you. I’m all in.”

“We have time for all of that. We’ll be here for at least three more weeks. Ma is going to love planning a wedding. It may distract her from Dante and Dario.”

I laugh. “I think your dad has been giving her plenty of distraction since he arrived last night.”

“Marone. I don’t need that shit in my head.”

“I hope we all have that passion when we’re their age. I think it’s sweet the way he’s crazy about her.”

“I used to wonder who the woman was screaming in Italian while the headboard banged the wall. Then one night Ava walked out fixing her clothes.”

“That’s how you knew who my father was?” Gio snickers. “Wow, there’s some shit I’m glad you took my place in. That is definitely at the top of the list.”

I laugh harder. “Our lives have been so fucked up. I mean, really, if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.”

“You’re never going to have to cry again,” Jace breathes into my hair.

I hold on to his words. Praying they’re true.

* * *

Gio

Jace and I take a ride over to the property beside Ma’s as she spends another hour spoiling Bella before we have to leave. Bella did well. I’m proud of her.

Stepping out of the car, we move toward the house. The front door opens and a guy who looks like he could be my twin if he shaved the beard off and put in contacts appears.

“Wow,” Jace says beside me.

“Ciao,” he croons and comes to embrace me and kiss my cheeks. “I’ve wanted to meet you in person for a long time. Welcome, come in, come in.”

We follow him inside. This place is nice. It smells like strawberries.

“Hey, boss,” Holly calls from the top of the stairs.

I look up and lift a brow. “Am I?”

“I don’t know. I hope so.”

“That’s what I wanted you to come over to talk to me about. I want to call in that favor.”

“Is that right?” I say, turning my attention back to Gianni.

“Sì, I love the way you think, Gio. I’ve watched you from a distance. I’m no threat to you.”

“Babe, you should sit,” Holly says with concern in her voice.

Gianni lifts a hand and nods his head. He waves us to follow him as he moves farther into the house.

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