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“Yes, Ma. You remembered.”
“Of course,” Ma says reluctantly. “Santino, hug Gina and make sure she gets to her car. Once the two of you marry, she can sleep in your room with you. Not a day sooner.”
I laugh. “Okay, Ma. I moved years ago, though, but I promise to see Gina home safely. Then I’ll go home to my bed, without her.”
“You’re a good boy, Santi.”
Moments later, the tiny living room is silent. My family is safe upstairs, and the woman I’m desperate to start a new family with leans against the kitchen table.
I pull her in my arms. My hands fall to her curvy frame. “I’ll see you safely home, Bella, but are you capable of sleeping without me?”
“Sounds frightening. I ditched my nightlight for your arms, Santino. If you must respect my virtue, can you return before I awaken?”
“Heh, I’d love to wake up with you every day for the rest of our lives.”
“Santino,” Gina stresses.
“It’s true?”
“Even after my sister, hell, my entire family! I can’t believe Geraldine said what she said.”
“Your sister, Zane, and I had a side wager that you are unaware of. You were having too much fun with Gabby.”
Gina shakes her head, smiling up at me. “I figured. Anyway, against my better judgment, I wonder what your thoughts are about moving in with me? Of course, we won’t tell your ma.”
Countdown to Christmas!
* * *
28
Gina
Today marks the first of December. I’ve stolen more than half of Santino’s closet space, plus the entire closet in the second bedroom. His apartment is closest to Galloway Enterprise. With his job site set to change at a moment’s notice, we made the sound decision.
As I refold the towels in the hallway cupboards, we’re deep into our first argument. Each time Santino walks down the hall with stacks of boxes, I ask the same old tired question. “Santino, why can’t I pay half the rent?”
Passing by, he probes, “You still paying rent for your place?”
“I’m working out a potential sublet.”
“Come talk to me when you do.” He disappears into the bedroom to drop off more of my necessities.
When he walks back again, I quip. “Okay, utilities?”
“No,” he replies, exiting the apartment.
On the next round of him entering the hallway, I jump in front of him. “Groceries?”
“I eat more than you.” With two more boxes in hand, Santino ambles around me.
I toss the folded terry cloth towel at the back of his head. “Next time you visit Piero’s pizza, I want his-and-hers pizzas. Matter of fact, when I get home from work . . .”
Santino’s back in a flash. He cocks a brow as I trail off.
Damn, I love the sound of that.“When I get home tonight, let’s go. I’m hungry for pizza.”
“You should’ve just said you were hungry. To your knees, Bella.”
