Page 106 of The Honest Affair

“It’s worlds different,” Matthew protested. “It took me one drink with Nina to feel like I’d found my center. Like I’d found the one person on the planet who could learn the worst about me and still see the best.” He glanced at me again, and tipped my chin with one finger. “Who could earn every secret I had and still love me for them.”

My insides warmed. Oh, how right he was.

“I…” Matthew sputtered for a moment when he turned back to the six frowning women watching us. “Look, you want something more? She even tried to pay off my debt. My mortgage, credit card debts, my student loans, all of it! I wouldn’t let her, because I’m just as proud and stubborn as every other person at this table. But she still tried. Because the truth is, she wants to take care of me, take care of us just as much as I want to take care of her.”

Frankie turned to me in shock. “Is that true?”

I shrugged. “It was my first attempt. I can’t guarantee there won’t be others, but for now I’m biding my time.”

“Well, since he’s unemployed now, I’d say the time is right,” she replied dryly.

“Can it, Frankie,” Matthew snapped. “Otherwise, I’ll toss you out of the house myself, and you can have Mike babysit you with the other kids.”

His sister just smirked over her wine.

“There’s a saying between two people who love each other,” I told him sweetly. “‘What’s mine is yours.’ Ever heard of it?”

Matthew’s mouth opened. I took the opportunity to kiss him on the cheek. A few of his sisters chuckled.

“She got you there, Mattie,” Kate said warmly, followed by a chorus of agreement from the others.

It was a good sign. The room was warming. All except for the one distinctly cold attitude.

“Mrs. Zola,” I said. “Let me put this as clearly as I can.”

I took a deep breath, which seemed to be mimicked by my audience. But I found I was no longer nervous. I had been preparing for this moment, perhaps from the time I met the man sitting next to me. Like a horse finding her way home, every step I took was true.

“I could not love anyone more than I love this man. His kindness. His intelligence. His incredible compassion. He may not always be so generous with himself, but I know the truth just like you do. I see him for the genuinely good man he is—the very best man there is. All I want to do is cherish him and treat him the way I know he deserves. Give him all the love that he provides you and these wonderful women with every day. Because that’s who he is. And that’s who I am when I’m with him.”

Matthew’s hand slipped into my lap and picked up my left hand, which he raised gently to his mouth. Our eyes met over the sparkle of the ring, and for a moment our audience disappeared.

“I love you too,” he said in front of his entire family, but in a tone meant only for me.

My heart felt like it would burst from happiness as he pressed a tame, but passionate kiss to my lips.

Eventually, though, we turned back to the head of the table, where Mrs. Zola was still watching us carefully over the rim of her glass.

“I see. And Matthew, you feel the same about her?”

“I’m just doing what Nonno told me.”

“Oh? And what was that?”

Matthew smiled, and the warmth on his face lit me from inside as he caressed my cheek. “He said one day God would give me a good woman to love, and when I found her, I better love her well.” His thumb brushed over my lips. “Who am I to turn down a gift from God? Especially when she makes me feel like this?”

On the other side of the table, Joni, Marie, and Kate sighed in unison. Frankie’s and Lea’s expressions were both still concerned, but had softened considerably with something else that looked like love for their brother, yes, but also understanding.

Sofia Annamaria Zola dropped her hands to her lap, appearing to have come to a decision.

“Well,” she said. “We’re just gonna have to do something about this cattivo, aren’t we?”

Matthew and his sisters all grumbled their agreement. And in that moment, I wasn’t sure how, but the two-person team I was on grew just a little bit bigger.

“Welcome to the family, Nina,” said Frankie as she gave me a kiss on the cheek. “But I gotta warn you. Once you’re a Zola, there’s no going back.”

This time, I really couldn’t help but grin. “I really hope so. I can’t wait.”

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