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For once, I had something I wanted within reach, and I wasn’t going to deny myself.
Fourteen
LEO
Iheaded over to Matteo’s early so I could talk to him. Harper was going to meet us, and then we were going to go out. It was a little unconventional, but then I’d never dated anyone with a child.
Matteo grabbed a beer and handed it to me. “You know what you’re doing?”
I laughed and shook my head. “No idea.”
“I support you, but—” Matteo began.
“Harper isn’t what Mamma and Papà want for you,” Carlo reminded me.
“If you remember, their perfect match for me cheated on me,” I reminded them, thinking of Bianca.
Carlo winced. “I’m not saying they know better, just that they won’t be happy.”
“I’m not sure I care about that,” I said, a little shocked that I’d said that out loud.
Matteo whistled. “You must really like her.”
“Tonight’s about figuring out if we have a shot at something real.” If things were awkward without Evie acting as a buffer, then I’d have my answer. But I had a feeling these emotions that had been swirling in my gut since I considered the possibility of us weren’t going away any time soon.
“You know we support you in whatever you decide. I just wanted to be sure you understood the ramifications.” Carlo played with the label on his beer bottle.
“And I appreciate that.”
A knock sounded at the door, and I hurried to open it.
Harper looked down at her dress and sandals. “I wasn’t sure what we were doing—”
“You look perfect.” I leaned in to kiss her as Evie asked, “Are you kissing my mommy?”
“Just on her cheek,” I said as I pulled back. “Is that okay?”
She pursed her lips. “I guess so.”
“We’re going to dinner while you hang out with these yahoos,” I said, with a thumb thrown over my shoulder in their direction.
She pouted. “Why can’t I come?”
Harper squatted in front of her. “We talked about this. Leo’s taking me on a date. You’ll play with Matteo and Carlo, and we’ll be back before you know it.”
I was hoping for more time alone, but it didn’t sound like we were going to get it. But Evie’s comfort and needs came first. I wondered if Harper would end things if Evie didn’t like the idea of us. I had a feeling that might be the case, and it didn’t sit right in my chest.
“Yeah, okay,” Evie finally admitted.
“You want to play a game?“ Matteo said.
Evie brightened at his question. She loved spending time with my brothers. I think she loved the male attention, although I wouldn’t tell Harper that. She already felt inadequate when it came to raising Evie. I wouldn’t add to it.
Harper kissed and hugged Evie before letting Matteo lead her away.
“This is our chance,” Harper whispered as they disappeared into the kitchen.
I opened the door. “Let’s drop your car off at home, and then we’ll eat. That way, we can pick up Evie together.” I wanted to extend our time together as much as possible.
