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I shrug. “I think keeping Anthony from Alessio is something I’ll never be able to rectify. My son lost three years with his father, and Alessio missed out on watching his son grow up. If the tables were turned, I’d be furious. I don’t understand why Alessio was so forgiving.”
It’s something I can’t wrap my head around. Alessio, from the moment he found out, has been supportive. He could have called me every name under the sun and tried to fight me for custody, something I would have hated, but he didn’t. Instead, he’s been amazing, understanding, and supportive. I don’t get it. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Alessio wants you, sweetheart. That’s clear for everyone to see. He wants you and your son. That man intends to lay down roots, and Gabs, I don’t think you’d mind so much if he did.”
I sigh. He’s right. If Alessio wanted us with him, I’d be happy, because I know that it would make my son happy, but I’m not sure how viaible that is. I have a business, one that I love and is thriving. It’s taken me a long time to get it where it is. Alessio and I live in different states, and I’m not sure if we’ll be able to come to a compromise about what will happen.
“Remember what I said,” Dad says, as he presses a kiss against my cheek. “You do not have to make any decisions right now. Just get through today and see what tonight brings.” He has a secretive smirk, and I don’t like it. What is he planning? “Don’t get up, sweetheart. I’ll see myself out. But I’ll be back in the morning.”
“I’ll make breakfast,” I tell him, knowing he’ll be here first thing. He’ll want to ensure I’m okay and spend some time with Anthony before he travels back to Kentucky.
“I look forward to it,” he says.
“Dad,” I call out before he reaches the door. “How has Christina taken the news that you’ll be getting a divorce?”
His lips thin as he looks at me. “She’s fighting it. She’s spitting mad, and I honestly can’t blame her, Gabs, but enough is enough.” His eyes darken, and I have a feeling something has happened between the two of them. Whatever the hell it is, Dad’s furious.
“Is Hazel safe?” I ask, knowing the connections Christina has. Her father has a lot of power—not as much as Dad, but more than others. She could do something both stupid and reckless.
“She is. I have men on her at all times. Do not worry, Gabs, once the divorce is finalized, we’ll all be happier.”
I smile at him, hoping he’s right. I hate that Christina got hurt, but hers and my father’s marriage was toxic at best. They both hurt the other, Dad more so than her, but either way, divorce is the best option for them both.
“Go,” I tell him. “Have a great night, and I’ll see you bright and early for breakfast.”
He grins at me. “You too, sweetheart. Try not to drink the entire bottle,” he says with raised eyebrows.
I lift my glass to my lips and take a bigger sip than I normally would. My father’s chuckle is deep and throaty, and I can hear it even as he closes the front door behind him.
I’m happy he’s moving on and has finally found someone he loves. I just can’t help but think Christina isn’t going to walk away without a fight. That woman has taken a lot of my father’s shit over the past two decades, and now he wants a divorce. No, I don’t see her going quietly. A woman scorned…
The house is quiet now that my father’s gone. Anthony’s fast asleep, and when he sleeps, he does so deeply. Trying to wake him is like trying to wake the dead. I put on a movie, needing something funny to watch. I can’t deal with romance right now. Hell, I haven’t been able to watch any Rom Coms in years. I stumble across a movie I like the sound of and get it set up. I make some popcorn, gather some snacks, and refill my drink. Once I’m ready, I hit play and sit back and enjoy. Sometimes, you just need a good laugh, otherwise you’ll end up crying, and that’s not something I want to do again today.
An hour into the movie, there’s a knock at the door. I hit pause and go check out who it could be. My heart batters against my chest when I see Alessio standing outside, waiting for me to let him in. God, he came back.
I open the door. “Hmm, you do know how to knock,” I say with a smile and a raised brow.
His smirk hits me in the stomach and makes my knees weak. “I thought this time, I’d be polite. Didn’t think just letting myself in would go down too well.”
I roll my eyes. He’s full of shit. I open the door wider and let him in.
“There’s beer in the fridge and also wine. I don’t have anything stronger. Help yourself,” I say as I walk back into the sitting room and get myself comfortable once again.
I hear him closing the door and flicking the locks closed. I smile to myself, knowing that if he knew I didn’t do it myself, he’d lose his mind. I hit play on the movie and reach for the popcorn.
The couch dips beside me, and I turn to glare at him. “There’s another couch. Hell, there’s even an armchair.”
He shrugs as he throws an arm over the back of the couch. “You’re here, so I’m here. Watch your movie, Mama. When it’s over, we’ll talk.”
There he goes again, calling me Mama. Damn him. God. Heat pools between my thighs, and I squirm on the sofa.
“Good to know,” he says quietly.
I turn and glare at him. He can’t do this to me. I can’t cope with him so close to me. He makes me lose my mind, and I need to be fully functioning.
“Do you mind?” I hiss, trying to cover my reaction.
He shakes his head. “Not at all. But you want to talk, Mama, we can talk now.”
