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29
Valentina
“What?” I ask because surely all Lulu’s screaming has damaged my eardrums.
Mrs. Milano grabs her daughter’s hand. “Dom took Gia.” She repeats herself as though it’s every day a person leaves a small child in the care of a bachelor.
“And he was okay with that?”
“Delighted. His suggestion.” She wipes the hair off Lulu’s forehead. “Any word on Vin?”
“He’s on his way,” I answer because Lulu’s breathing through a contraction. Her eyes are wide with questions about why Gia is with Dom. “I’ll be right back.”
I make my way over to the couch to grab my purse off of it.
“Ma! You left him with Gia?” I guess Lulu’s contraction is finished.
“It’s Dominic Mancini.”
“Yeah, exactly,” Lulu says.
“He’s a good boy. Successful.”
“And single! He doesn’t know the first thing about kids.”
“You worry too much. Gia’s easy.”
I cringe, wondering if Mrs. Milano really believes that’s the truth.
“You let him bring her to us. I don’t see the problem?” Mr. Milano decides to chime in.
“Because I was in labor and all he had to do was get her to you.”
“He bought her cookies. A whole dozen,” Mrs. Milano brags.
Once I’m in the hallway, I pull out my phone and lean back against the hospital wall.
“She told me she had to explain that Italians buy enough to share. That he only brought one cupcake to the dance studio, but she made sure he had enough cookies for everyone.” Mr. Milano laughs.
I hold my phone close to my heart. How can a man I’ve known almost my entire life continue to surprise me? I dial Dom, and he answers on the first ring, the sound of blow dryers in the background.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
He chuckles. “It’s fine. I’m not gonna lie, I freaked out for a second.”
I can only imagine. I’m surprised he’s not at his ma’s with her. “Where are you?”
“Well, I was told that her hair and makeup needs to be done for tonight, so I took her to a salon.”
I smile, imagining him walking into a place filled with that much estrogen. Damn, all those women are probably wondering if he’s single or not. “They were able to take you without an appointment?”
Why am I asking? Of course they took him. He’s a gorgeous guy with a cute little girl.
“They fit us in. Just a bun is good, right?”
I laugh. “Yes. Perfect. Do you want me to meet you?”
“Nah, I have this handled. You should be there for Lucia.”
