Iwoke up the next morning, my heart aching as Elena’s face wafted through my mind. She’d only been sixteen when she died, and her beautiful face and soul would be forever frozen in that image. We’d looked alike, although she had blond hair, and I sometimes wondered who she would’ve been if she’d lived.
Perhaps a doctor, or a scientist. She’d been brilliant, but unfortunately, she’d also inherited our parents’ vices and addictions. It was a sad outcome for many children of addicts, and I was proud that I’d survived when so many hadn’t.
I dressed in jeans and a short sleeve blouse since it was going to be a warm spring day, and did some work on my laptop before Leo picked me up. Everything looked normal on Michael’s accounts, and the fraudulent transactions had disappeared.
Did I believe we were out of the woods? Not by a long shot. But it was something.
My phone rang and I answered, putting it on speaker so I could continue my work on the laptop.
“Hey,” I said, saving the current ledger I was finishing.
“Hey.” Michael’s voice was solemn. “Are you working? I don’t want you working today.”
“I’m just making sure the fraudulent transactions are gone and doing a little reconciliation. Nothing too crazy.”
“When are you heading to the cemetery?”
“Uh, around ten. Leo’s going to come with me.”
Silence stretched between us, and I grinned.
“He offered, and I said yes because we share similar grief. His mother died years ago, and it hit him hard.”
“You never asked me to come to the cemetery with you. I would have, if you’d wanted.”
“You never offered,” I said, resting my chin on my fist. “But I know you would have. I just like going alone.”
“Until today.”
“Until today,” I said, my tone carrying a warning not to meddle.
“I’m going to say something, and it’s probably going to sound wrong.”
Laughing, I nodded. “Okay.”
“I was never able to give you what you deserved...when we were together...”
“You gave me exactly what I wanted. And you’ve given me so much more in other aspects of my life.”
A slow breath echoed across the phone. “You deserved more. I hope Leo can give that to you. He and I have a...complicatedrelationship, but he’s a good man, and I respect him immensely.”
My eyebrows lifted. “That’s a high compliment from you. And we’re just going to visit my sister. Don’t get any ideas. He runs away every time I get within a foot of him. I’m not sure he’s interested in pursuing anything. And maybe I’m not either.”
Michael cleared his throat. “Men are idiots sometimes. Just ask Bianca. She’ll tell you I’m dense as a rock half the time about our relationship.”
“Oh, yes, she’s already told me,” I said, chuckling.
“Well, then you need to realize that Leo is an idiot too. I don’t think he’s thrilled about our history. Most men wouldn’t be. We all have huge egos that are ridiculously inflated.”
“Wow, Bianca’s really rubbing off on you. I like this reflective side of Michael Caruso,” I said with a cheeky grin.
“Funny,” he droned. “But I’m serious. Don’t let his ego get in the way. Our past is over, and you deserve happiness, Katia.”
“Thanks. I’ll file that underlove advice from my favorite mafia bossin my journal. And tell Bianca I’m bringing cabernet for dinner on Friday. I’m excited to chat with her about her husband’s newfound advice skills.”
“I’m hanging up now,” Michael said, his tone droll. “But I hope you have a good visit. I’m sorry she’s not here.”
Tears stung my eyes. “Me too. Thank you. Talk to you later.”
