Page 51 of Unholy Union

“I’m not sure,” Theo replies. “But we’ll figure it out.”

“Soon. Because I have a cake tasting tomorrow for my wedding. And I really don’t want to go. I just want to be with you, Theo.”

“And I just want to be with you.”

I rest my head over Theo’s heart and pray we’ll make it through.

“What about this one?”Mom asks, taking a bite of a red velvet cake. I do the same.

“It’s good.” I set my fork down. Normally, I’d love to have an excuse to eat cake, but I’m not in the mood. Choosing a cake formy wedding with Salvatore is the last thing I want. I almost want to be petty and choose a really gross cake just to upset Salvatore.

“Just good?” Mom huffs. “Well, I think this cake is better than just good.”

Theo is standing cross from our table, doing his normal duty. I wish I was choosing a cake for our wedding.

Making eye contact with him, I scoop up more cake and take a bite, making a point of licking the fork. His eyes darken as he shifts on his feet. I’m not sure where this bold temptress came from, but she’s here. I’m tired of playing by everyone else’s rules. I just want to be with Theo.

I just want to be happy.

I take another bite and shut my eyes. After I open them and look at Theo, I can tell he’s affected by it. I saw the look in his eyes when he kissed me before. That look is there again, just ten times fold.

I want him to grab me and kiss me right on top of all of this cake, but I know that will never happen.

“Cecilia?” Mom’s voice makes me jump. I almost forgot she was here. “Why are you looking like that?”

I set my fork down. “Like what?”

She looks over her shoulder at Theo, then turns back to me, a disappointed frown on her face. “Be careful.”

“What?” I open my eyes to be as innocent as possible.

“You know what.”

I pick at a lemon cream cake. “Mom, I’m not doing anything, ok?”

She shakes her head but doesn’t make any more comments.

Once we’re done with the tasting—red velvet it is—we head back to the car. After Mom gets in, Theo grabs my arm before I can slip into the car and murmurs into my ear, “I need you, Cecilia. That little teasing game didn’t go unnoticed. I’m tired oftouching you where I can’treallytouch you. Come over to my house tonight.”

I gasp. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Say you’re going to church to confess because you didn’t before. I’ll take you to my apartment instead.”

“Yes.”

He lets me go, giving me a smoldering look before walking to the driver’s seat. I slip into the backseat with my mom.

“What did you and Theo talk about?” she asks, trying to sound casual and failing.

“I was just telling him I want to go back to church today.” My body is sweating. Can she notice?

“Church? We just went yesterday.”

“I know. But I didn’t confess anything to Father Enzo. But now I have something to confess, so Theo’s going to take me. That’s okay, right?” I grab my cross, rubbing it hard between my fingers.

Mom sighs. “I guess. I would never stop someone from going to church. Just … be careful, Cecilia. Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

That’s the thing. I could never regret being with Theo.

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