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“Hi.” He sheepishly grinned.
“The box is over there.” I nodded my head at the dresser as I narrowed my gaze on my father, watching him blush.What the hell?
Abruptly, he stood. “Well, I’m out of here.” He glanced down at me. “Will I see you later tonight?”
I stood as well. “I kinda need to get settled and wanted to cook my first meal in his…our home. I promised him home cooked food.” Suddenly, it occurred to me, my father would be alone tonight. “Do you want to join us?”
“No, no.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I actually have plans tonight and should get busy doing some things before then.”
“Who is she?” I giggled. “It’s still early in the morning.”
“There’s nothing to tell right now.”
“Sureee.” I bent over to pick up my suitcases.
“Here, let me get some of those.” He leaned over, sliding two duffle bags on his shoulder, and picked up two suitcases.
Following him downstairs, I looked around, knowing I wouldn’t be far but a part of me would miss this home. As much as I didn’t like some memories tied to this place, I would miss the good ones. Lucas would move out sometime soon, and then my father would be like Vincenzo was. Alone in his empty mansion. I hoped he’d find a woman who would love him and respect him, unlike my mother did. None of us had even heard from her since our trip.
“Call me tonight and check in at least.” He opened the front door, carrying my bags to the already open trunk of my car.
“Dad,” I rolled my eyes, hugging him as he put the last bag in. “I’m going to be fine.”
“I still need time to get used to this.”
“I know, I know.”
He kissed the top of my head.
I turned to Maddie. “You riding with me or following?”
“I will be over soon. I have an errand to run first.”
“Cool.” I pranced around to the driver’s side as my father closed the trunk. “See you guys later.”
The smell of my grandmother’s Ragu alla Napoletana and bread filled the air as I came in through the garage door at dinner time. I would have recognized that aroma anywhere. It was nostalgic of my time back home in Italy. I closed my eyes, inhaling it again before I rounded the corner to see Marissa and Elizabeth in the kitchen. Marissa was removing her apron and laying it on the island.
“Well, my work here is done.” She beamed with pride as she grabbed her handbag off the breakfast nook table and strode passed me. “She’s a quick learner.”
Elizabeth spun around from the stove with a wooden spoon in her hand, grinning.
“What are you talking about?”
“I taught her how to make your favorite food using Nonna and mom’s recipes.”
“You gave her the recipes?” I arched a brow.
Smiling, she winked. “Only because she’s a keeper and Nonna or mom would’ve given them to her, anyway.” She pivoted to Elizabeth. “See you tomorrow!”
Elizabeth waved the spoon. “Bye.”
The moment my sister was out of the room, I removed my jacket and laid it over one of the island stools. I strode over to Elizabeth, enfolding my arms around her. “Ciao, amore.”
“Hi,” she smiled, pressing her lips to mine. “I hope you like it.”
“I assure you, I’m going to love it. It’s my favorite, and I haven’t had it in years.”
“Good.”
