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Stefano just shook his head as we all walked into the living area.
I saw Valentina standing next to the table with Gabriella and Ella.Sienna was standing next to them and handing them glasses of wine.Valentina was laughing at something she was saying.And I smiled at the picture they made.It felt like home, for some weird reason.It felt right.I didn’t want to question the reason I thought that.
“Hey, would you like something to drink, Sam?”Sienna smiled.
“Um, yeah, I’ll have a beer.”
“They’re in the fridge,” she said as she nodded toward the kitchen.
“Okay.Anyone else want one?”
“I’ll have one,” Sergio said from the couch.
“Okay.Santino?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
I headed toward the kitchen and opened the fridge.I pulled out two beer bottles and closed the fridge door when I sensed someone standing right behind me.I turned around and looked at Gabriella.She had a contrite expression on her face.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey, how’s it going, Gabriella?”
“Good.I just wanted to apologize.”
“Apologize for what?”I asked her.
“Well, telling Valentina about you and that girl the other day.I mean, I didn’t want you to think I was trying to get into your business, and I really like you.And I think your brothers are really fun, and—”
“It’s okay,” I said, touching her shoulder lightly.“You did what you thought was best for your best friend.”
“I don’t want to see Valentina getting hurt, you know?I mean, I personally never liked Shane, but I thought he was really in love with her, and it was like this match made in heaven.Which it wasn’t, which I’m glad about because I couldn’t see him in her life for much longer.”She wrinkled her nose.“But I also don’t want to see Valentina getting used or hurt by some player.You know?”
“I know.And that’s not what I’m here to do.Contrary to what you both believe, I’m not actually a player.”
“Well, you don’t really date women for very long.”
“But I don’t lie about it,” I said softly.“I don’t tell women I want to be in a relationship.I don’t say that I’m interested in getting married or—”
“Wow!You never want to get married?”I let out a deep sigh.
“Let’s just say I don’t really have any good marriages as role models to convince me to get married.”
“I understand that,” she said.“My mom and dad didn’t really have a good divorce, and well, I kind of understand why you probably don’t believe in love.I feel like people go one of two ways.”
“Oh?”I questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah.They either really want love for themselves, or they run away as fast as possible because they’re scared that they will get their heart broken as badly as their parents.”
“I dare say you might be right.And I guess I’m the latter, and you’re the former.”
“I guess you’re right again.”Nodding, I popped open the bottles of beer and put the caps in the trash.“Do you want anything while we’re in here?”
“I’m okay.”She held up her glass of wine and took a sip.“Thanks so much for inviting us.I know this was probably just meant to be for you and Valentina.So I appreciate you letting Ella and myself join.”
“The more, the merrier.Plus, I thought you might want to see Sergio.”
She made a face.“Meh,” she said, and I started laughing.
