Page 36 of Bobby

I tilt my head, confused by her words. “Why?”

“Because it is, Bobby. You set us up in a spare apartment that you own, and now you’re redecorating it to accommodate us.”

I shake my head slowly. “I’m not seeing the issue here.”

“We aren’t staying,” she shouts, with extra emphasis on the words as she throws her hands up and out.

I lift an eyebrow—answer enough for her. She might not think she is, but I know that’s false. And the longer I look at her, the more her resolve slips.

Her arms fall down to her sides, and her once-wild eyes, looking at me like I’m crazy, now seem concerned. “We can’t. This isn’t ours. It’s yours.”

I set my cup down and fold my hands across my stomach as I lean back in my seat. So many others would attach themselves to everything I’ve given and might even ask for more. But not Willow. She’s almost begging me to stop.

Which I won’t.

“You lost everything, Willow. You and the girls came here last night with all you had, which was the clothes on your backs, an empty picnic basket, and some coloring supplies for Lily. You have nothing. But even before today, I suspect your ex took half of what you had before the fire took the rest. Tell me I’m wrong.”

She doesn’t. And when she looks away, I reach out and gently tap her knee to get her to look back at me. “Don’t you think the world owes you?”

“No.”

“No?” This woman never does what I expect.

“I don’t believe that karma wins out. That if you put out good, you’ll get it back. You make life what it is for you.” She shrugs and goes back to her coffee.

I’m stunned. Not because I find her logic crazy, but because I don’t. “On that we agree.”

She nods a second before I watch her throat as she swallows her drink, and then her tongue comes out and licks her lips free of it. “Great.” She nods again, noting that we finally agree on something this morning. “So, you’ll take back what you gave.”

She says it like a statement. Something I’d bet she does with the girls. And it works, for them. But I’m not a child and won’t fall for her ways to get what she wants. Well, not in this anyway.

“No.” It’s my turn to sip my coffee, and I hold the cup to my lips a moment longer to hide my smile as I see the shocked look on her face. This might be the best morning I’ve had in a very long time. I don’t recall a time when I smiled this much or found this much joy in watching someone’s reactions to my words.

When I’m using my part in the famiglia, I might smile here or there when I get what I want from someone who took something from me or someone else in the famiglia, but it’s not the same type of joy as I find here. There, it’s the feeling of winning. This is something else entirely. Even if the gifts seem to be something of an issue for her.

“No? Then at least stop the deliveries. I can pay for things on my own. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself and my family.”

“No.” I shake my head and get up. I take my empty cup to the sink, leaving a stunned Willow at the counter as I head toward my bedroom.

I barely make it past my couch before she’s out of her seat.

“But….” I hoped she wouldn’t let me go, so I don’t stop walking until she finishes. “That’s not fair.”

Looking back at her, I don’t hide my smile. She’s pouting. Not sure if she knows she does that, but it’s adorable on her. I also find the irony in her words funny.

“You just said you were okay with how unfair life can be.”

“Yes, but….” Her hands move as if they can speak for her, and I find myself compelled to step closer to her.

“You will find I don’t play fair when I want something.”

“What do you want?” She’s looking up at me. I move close enough that her head tilts back to maintain eye contact.

A hair has fallen in front of her face, and I brush it behind her ear.

“You haven’t figured that out yet?” My hand pauses behind her ear for a second before I let it fall. “Interesting.”

When I turn away, she doesn’t call me back this time. Which is probably a good thing. Because if she did, I might have to kiss that pout off her lips, and then Vinny will be pissed at me for being late to our meeting. Because there’s no way I’d be able to stop after one kiss.