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Diego grins at her enthusiasm for the course and I grin at her equal enthusiasm for my chicken casserole.
Taking a moment to chew and swallow, she carries on, “I get to lead some lectures in American History and although the thought of lecturing terrifies me, I find it a challenge. The Professor said it was my enthusiasm that set me apart from the other applicants.” Andie grins before continuing to eat.
I smile into my plate at our coinciding thoughts.
“I hated American History in school,” Diego comments. “Our teacher was probably more historic than any topic she taught.” He shakes his head, amused. “How anyone ever passed her class I’ll never know.”
“That bad, huh?” I ask, trying to imagine Diego as a teenager.
“I bet your interest lay more in the human biology class at that age,” Andie comments with a cheeky smirk.
My food goes down the wrong way causing me to choke, so Diego pats me on the back. I take a sip of water and start laughing.
Diego raises a brow, “Why’s that so funny?”
“Are you telling me that Andie is way off base?” I raise a brow and wait, amusement dancing in my eyes.
He blushes and I smirk with glee. “I’m not answering because I’m being bullied.” He huffs. “Two against one is hardly fair.”
I shake my head, laughing, and continue to eat when Andie asks, “Dante and Emelia are your brother and sister, right?” causing Diego to pause with the fork to his mouth.
He places it back down, and sighing, answers, “Yes they are. Emelia is my twin, and Dante was born to my father’s first wife, Francesca, the same as Eric, Aiden, and Kasey were. Because of a promise my mother made to Francesca on her deathbed, she married Emiliano who raised Emelia and I as his own. Things came to ahead a while ago and we discovered that Emiliano wasn’t our biological father. Dante had never shared a roof with Emelia, only on short vacations as we grew up. Anyway, when everything was revealed they married.”
I’m left surprised not just at what had happened but that Diego had told us so much, and so randomly. As though reading my thoughts, Diego adds, “I trust you both. So anything you want to know just ask,” with that Diego finishes his meal.
I stay silent and watch Andie as her brain works overtime and her eyes glaze over—a sign that her brain is off overthinking something most likely college related.
Turning to Diego, I stare at him for a minute and just take delight in the fact that he’s sitting at my dining table, in my home, eating my home cooked food. Enjoying it as well it seems. These two people hold the key to my heart. It makes me sad that I can’t share this with Andie yet, but I’m hopeful one day soon our feelings will be out in the open and accepted by all.
“Like something you see?” Diego whispers.
“Hmm.” I wink and stand to move the empty dishes, relieved that Andie is still distracted.
Leaning against the counter a few minutes later, I meet Diego’s gaze. “It must have been difficult for Dante and Emelia. Having strong feelings for each other like they did.”
“Dante yes, and I know how upset Emelia was, but it turns out that she’d known the truth about our parentage since she was eigh
teen. Dante however ran to the church. He gave up everything.” Diego shakes his head. “They’re happy now with a baby on the way and that’s all that matters.”
We both watch as Andie disappears back to her room. “She’s often distracted…let’s have a coffee on the porch.”
Sitting next to Diego, he glances back inside and fidgets. “What’s wrong?” I ask, frowning.
“I love having you close but I don’t like feeling so on edge.” He meets my eyes.
“Andie is fine. You saw her. She suddenly thought of something to put onto paper and she was gone. She’ll be at it for hours now.” Taking his arm, I slip it over my shoulder and snuggle up against him. “This is how sitting on the porch should be.” I say feeling content.
“I’m not going to argue about that.” Diego massages my scalp, which feels so good and although I’m relaxing, shivers of pleasure slowly work their way through me.
“What’s your favorite movie?” The out of the blue question surprises me. “I know a lot about you, Rae,” he clarifies. “I just don’t know your choice in movie, food, hobbies, you get what I mean? I want to know the answers to all the things I should.” After a short pause he adds, “I want to know you like no one else knows you.”
“Mmm,” I mumble into his chest before pulling myself together, he’s just made my heart sing. “My favorite movie is Somewhere in Time. Have you seen it?”
He shakes his head. “I haven’t even heard of it.”
“It’s a beautiful love story. The main character travels through time to be with the woman he loves. The movie takes place at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. I’ve wanted to visit the Island ever since I fell in love with the movie.”
“You’re a true romantic, Rae.” Diego kisses the top of my head.
