Page 16 of Promising Her Forever

We hear Celestino laughing as he puts his phone away.

“They’re all coming. Pax said they’ve finally hired some help so they don’t have to close up the store.”

“You mean there’s more family?” Riley asks.

“Oh, there’s so much more family that you haven’t met yet.” I laugh.

“Do you like hockey and baseball? Motorcycle racing?” Salvatore asks.

“In fact, I do like all of those. Why…?” She squints at Salvatore. “Don’t tell me you know players and racers.”

“Maybe we need to have a barbecue tonight. That’s the easiest way to see the family. Or at least the ones that live here in Lake Renegade.” Eros smiles.

“Where do the others live?” she asks.

“Well the Vandenbergs live in Wintervale, Montana, and the Rousseaus live in Storyville, Colorado,” he explains to her.

“I don’t think I’m going to remember everyone.” Riley laughs.

“They’re my family and I still forget names sometimes.” I laugh.

“That sounds good. I’m heading back now, are you staying open?” Zio Giacomo asks Riley as all the mamas come in from the bakery.

“No, I think we should close. Fionn said Daphne and I could meet Fiorella.” Riley smiles.

“Good, that way you all can tell her she should close up early too.” He nods.

We all help Riley and Daphne close up the coffee shop and we head over to Fi’s Boutique.

“Okay, what did I do now?” Fiorella says as she makes faces at her brother.

“Why do you always assume you did something? Guilty much?” He laughs.

“Well, you came stomping into my shop with full gear on and you have people with you.” She rolls her eyes.

“I wasn’t stomping.”

“Elephant.”

Riley’s giggling as we watch them fight.

“Are they always like this?” she whispers.

“Yep. In fact I’m pretty sure all the sibling groups are like this or worse.” I chuckle.

“You’re lucky Mamá’s not here. She’d tell you to stop being so dramatic.” Salvatore sighs.

“Dramatic? Come closer and say that again.” She crooks her finger at him as she squints.

“Are you supposed to look scary?” He laughs. “Look, I’m only here cause I was at the new coffee shop. And for some reason, Riley likes you. I’m guessing it’s because she doesn’t know you. But hey, she’ll figure it out on her own.”

“I’m ignoring you now.”

Fiorella hugs everyone and stops at me and Riley.

“This is Riley and Daphne. Riley’s the owner of Espresso Joy.” I smile as I hug Fiorella.

Riley