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I throw my head back, growing frustrated by his words of wisdom. Primarily because I have to stay focused on the task at hand. But partially because I know he’s right.
“Okay, okay. You bring Antonia by whenever you like. I’m sure the moment I tell Maria, she’ll be a human tornado trying to get the house perfect for her and the boy.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
Stepping out of the beat-up red pickup I borrowed from Miguel at work, I glance over to Mimmo, who looks startled. I’m sure the dogs barking at the fence line are intimidating to him. I grew up with animals who were trained to violently protect their owners. They’re merely guarding their property.
As I stand on the steps of Jillian’s porch and ring the bell, the reality of the situation smacks me in the face. What have I gotten myself into? She hasn’t answered. I could always grab Mimmo’s hand and run.
As if the universe has heard my concerns, the large black door swings open and the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen mesmerizes me with those gray-blue eyes and deep dimples.
“Hi. I didn’t realize you were here. I’d been watching for you to pull up, but didn’t see your car in the drive.”
I point to the truck parked in front of the neighbor’s yard. “I’m over there.” She gives me a puzzled expression and I continue, “I didn’t want to trap you in. When it was time for you to leave.”
“Oh.” This seems to pacify her. “Hi, Mimmo. It’s so good to see you. Come on in.”
Her home is beautiful. The floors are a dark, wide plank hardwood that extend as far as I can see. We follow along behind her to a very large open floor plan. The all white kitchen is on the right with a huge marble island and stainless steel appliances. To the left is a comfortable great room with cozy couches and chairswith oversized cushions draped in light slipcovers. Several blue and gray blankets and decorative pillows are tossed casually on them.
“Your home is gorgeous, Jillian. You’d never know three kids lived here.” I chuckle. Everything is in its place.
“Oh, that’s because I cleaned it like a mad woman before you got here.” Her cheeks return to that adorable crimson hue I remember her flashing when she’d caught my bare ass peeking out of that ridiculous hospital gown.
“You didn’t have to clean up for us.”
“The kitchen is stocked if you’re hungry. Not sure why I buy so much when I never prepare any of it. I’m a terrible cook.” She giggles seeming a bit nervous. This must be what she meant when she said she’d invite me for dinner but liked me too much. “My kids are pretty easy going when it comes to food. Or order pizza if that’s easier and I’ll pay you back when I get home.”
“We’ll be fine, right Mimmo? We’re Italian. Cooking is in our blood.”
Looking down, I find my unusually quiet nephew nodding vigorously. He seems nervous too. Poor kid. He really needs some friends. I hope spending time with Luigi and Maria will allow him to enjoy being a child. Not just a smaller version of me. A little Bianchi on the run.
“So, the kids should get off of the bus not long after I leave. The bus stop is right across from where your truck is parked. Myla is my little helper. She’ll help with Caleb and the baby.
“Where is the bambino?”
I catch a slight glimmer in her eyes as she grins up at me. “He’s upstairs napping. I’ll get him up before I go. But after seeing you with him yesterday, I doubt it’d scare him if he woke up and found you here instead of me,” she adds. I watch as she bites down on her soft, full lower lip. Thank god Mimmo is here. My restraint is taking a serious hit with this woman.
Jillian bends down to eye level with Mimmo. “There are some chocolate chip cookies on the counter when the kids get home, if you all want a snack.” She stands to her full height. “Don’t worry. My mom made them before she left.” She snickers.
“We’ll be fine,” I reassure her. Even though I’m honestly starting to wonder about me. No one has ever had this effect on me. After today is over, I need to pull back. I’m glad to have people we can trust in our lives, for me and for Domenico. And possibly Antonia. I’d love the idea of her having a girlfriend she could confide in. But if there’s a hope that this friendship will last, it’s becoming increasingly more apparent distance is needed in this equation.
“Caleb is so excited you two are going to be here when he gets home. I doubt he pays attention to anything at school today.”
“Yes. I didn’t tell Mimmo about the big surprise until I picked him up.”
My nephew grabs my hand and bounces in place. “Best surprise ever!”
Jillian bends back down toward him. “Well, you two are doing me a humongous favor,” she tells him, stretching her arms wide. “Do you want to come with me to wake up Truitt before I go?”
“Yes, yes.”
We follow Jillian up her stairs, and I try desperately to not fixate on her ass. She’s wearing blue scrubs, similar to the blueberry cobbler stained ones I’d met her in. I’m certain these weren’t designed to make someone look sexy as fuck, but that they do. But something tells me this woman would look hot in everything.
And out of everything.
“The kids’ rooms are on the left. My room and Truitt’s room are on the right. And up the stairs at the end of the hall, there’s a guest room. We don’t use it much. But if Caleb tries to takeMimmo up there, check behind them to make sure they haven’t snuck food up. I don’t go up there very often and once found all the brussels sprouts my mother tried to get Caleb to eat for dinner.” Jillian makes a gagging face, which causes Mimmo to belt out laughing.
“Ewwww.”
