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Sitting up straight, I look Mom in the eye. “I knew the first moment I saw him. I know what you’re going to say. I’m too young. I’m naïve. Or maybe he tricked me. Yes, that’s it. He used some clever pickup lines and twisted my head.”
It’s how Dad described it earlier after Luca pulled a gun on him. This is so wild.
Mom makes a tutting noise, telling me that’s exactly what she was going to say. “Could you blame me for thinking any of that, Ruby? You’ve never had a casual boyfriend before, and now you’re talking like you’re ready to settle down and get married!”
I push down my instinctual response, which is, Yeah, because that’s exactly what I want. Instead, I take a long sip of my cocoa, giving me a chance to think about what I will say.
“We’ve got something special,” I tell her. “It’s only been a short time, but we’re both certain already. We both feel it, Mom. And Dad, honestly, I had no idea there was any connection with you and in other ways.”
I trail off, not wanting to get all lovey-dovey and annoy them.
“What?” Dad urges.
“It’s nothing.”
“You can’t start saying something and then tell us it’s nothing,” Mom snaps.
I almost snap at her, saying she can’t throw plates and mugs and scream at Dad, and then expect Lexi and me to believe it will all work out. I could toss plenty in her face, but I’m determined for this conversation to remain civil.
“We’re connected,” I say, ignoring the look Mom and Dad exchange. “His brother is married to somebody I went to high school with. You knew him when he was a kid. Dad, doesn’t that seem odd?”
“This isn’t a megacity, Ruby,” Dad says dismissively.
“Two million people,” Lexi mutters from beside me.
“Yes, but we all live in the same borough,” Dad replies. “Let’s not get superstitious about this.”
“Forget that part, then,” I say. “The fact is, I want him, and he wants me.”
“Wants you for what?” Mom says. “Have you talked about that? Have you talked about the future? In this one magical week of so-called love, have you made any plans at all?”
“We would have if Dad hadn’t come storming out there!”
Lexi places her hand on my arm, telling me to chill out.
“What do you think about this, Lexi?” Mom says.
“I’m happy for her. She deserves some happiness after…” I quickly grab her hand. I don’t want Mom and Dad to know about the photo-blackmail thing.
“… after being alone all her life.”
“You’ve been alone,” Mom says, with a tinge of sadness. “In fact, you make it a point of pride, always going on about how you’re going to be alone forever.”
“That’s because we’re not the same person. Somehow, Ruby has kept her sense of hope. She’s kept her sense of optimism.”
A tingle dances over me when I think of Luca saying, You’re too young to be this pessimistic.
“What’s right for her isn’t necessarily right for me,” she says, “but I support her.”
“Thanks, sis,” I say.
Dad throws his hands up. “I don’t know what to do. It’s not like I can lock you in the house, right? It’s not like I can command you to stay away from him. But… but…” He grits his teeth, then lets out a long breath. “You can do better than him, Ruby. You’re a smart, ambitious young woman. You’ll be back at college soon, back with your studies. You don’t need to be with a man like Luca Marino.”
“He’s not a bad man, Dad,” I say. I probably shouldn’t mention that his darkness initially scared me.
Dad leans forward. “Give me this much, at least. You’ve been together for a week.” He places mocking emphasis on the word. “So give us a week. A week of staying away from him, a week to clear your head. If you still feel the same after…”
“What?” Mom says. “You’ll give your blessing?”
“I’m not saying that.” Dad places his hand on hers, and Mom smiles tightly, and for a rare, glittering moment, I actually believe they can make this work. “But at least we’ll know this is how she really feels.”
“This is how I?—”
Lexi nudges me. “Come on, kid. This is sort of crazy. You can give them this much, right?”
I sigh, nodding. Lexi has always been the voice of reason. If I’m going to listen to anybody, it’s her.
“Okay, Dad. I’ll give you a week.”
Despite the lateness, I sit up in bed, unable to sleep and filled with burning emotion. As I read Luca’s message, I imagine him lying beside me, the heat of his body making all of this seem much more manageable.
I won’t lie, Ruby. A week without you will be painful, but I must respect your father’s wishes. I don’t want to come between you and your family. Family is the most important thing, and if there’s a way they can give us their blessing, we have to accept their conditions.
