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“Nuh-uh. What’s that face?” Dallas stuck her lower lip out. “Like you’re about to cry. You’re not about to cry, are you? Because I’m too hormonal not to bawl my eyes out right along with you.”
“I’m not about to cry.” Tears hung for dear life on my lower lashes.
Dammit.
But these were good, cleansing tears. Of someone who finally had a home.
My eyes bounced from Dallas to Vezzali to Oliver and even to Romeo. After twenty-three years, I had finally learned that a home didn’t have to be a place. It could be a person.
“Oh, no.” Dallas cupped her mouth, tears leaking out of her eyes, too.
Unlike me, she started wailing and drowning her cheeks without even trying to stop the flood. She flung her arms over my shoulders, gathering me into a hug.
“Why are we crying?” She jumped up and down, bumping Vezzali with her belly. “Do I have to kill Zach? I hear prison food is so bad. But I love you too much not to.”
I detangled myself from her, wiping both of our eyes with my sleeves. “These are happy tears.”
Vezzali barked his agreement.
And I was happy.
So, so happy.
The only piece missing sat on Dark Prince Road, probably brooding as he always did, hopefully counting down the days until our reunion.
“Oh, Fae.” A fresh wave of tears rushed down Dallas’ cheeks.
I feared she’d go into early labor. Already, Romeo looked ready to hang me from the rooftop. He swept her into his arms, rubbing her back.
“Thank God you’re not sad-crying.” She disconnected from Romeo, clutched her purse from my kitchen island—just the thought made me want to break into a dance,mykitchen island—and grabbed an unopened pack of dish towels, patting her eyes dry. “The food truck downstairs closes in less than an hour. I thought I wouldn’t make it. Did you know they sell fresh fettuccine cooked in a wheel of Parmesan cheese? Is there anything else you need from us?”
I laughed, shaking my head, wondering whether she’d cried over my tears or the thought of missing food. “Enjoy the bowl of fettuccine, babe.”
“A bowl?” She rolled her eyes. “I plan on buying the entire wheel. I’ve been craving carbs so badly this trimester.”
Then, she and the boys took off in a flurry of air kisses, grumbles, and dirty jokes.
Dallas Costa, ladies and gentlemen.
The human answer to the sweetest summer day.
With a sigh, I locked the door, padded over to my new fridge, and cracked open a soda can, settling on my hideous yet adorable yellow-and-purple checkered couch. My favorite thrift find.
I scrolled through my old laptop, checking emails.
First—Reggie and Tabby begged me to accept a low-ball offer on the home. They’d moved from the motel to a distant aunt’s in West Virginia and wanted out ASAP.
Next—I accepted an easy job with an old client under Maid in Maryland. The two employees Vera hadn’t fired needed steady work, so I kept the company while I figured out what I wanted to do with it.
And finally—I opened an email from a stranger, Googling the sender name. An unranked fencer, who wanted to compete nationally.
He’d heard through the grapevine that Anna had topped her bracket in her last competition and figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask for help.
I grinned, flattered, typing out my reply.
A big, fat, bolded, italicizedYES.
I was beginning a new life.
