She nods. “I get it. No problem. Welcome to Christmas Gift Wrapping 101.”
“You’re a lifesaver. Now, if you tell me you know how to put that bike and dollhouse together, I’m giving you a raise.”
“Is my dad an engineer? You go ahead and call HR. We’ll have that bike and dollhouse done by morning.”
“Thank God, I swear the instructions for neither are in English.”
She releases another of those gorgeous laughs. I find myself chuckling a little. Her laughter is infectious. Over the next few hours, I find myself wiping at my eyes a few times as she makes silly jokes and laughs at herself.
“What got you into gaming?” I ask when we have a brief moment of silence.
She looks up as if I’ve pulled her from her thoughts. “Nyla got me started. I’ve always wanted to be like my big sister. One day she was playing with a friend. When he left, I sat next to her and picked up the controller. I’ve been hooked since.”
“I’m guessing you two are close?”
“We are. Same as you and your brothers, I think it’s safe to say.”
“My mother’s father made sure of that. That we all looked out for each other. Watched each other’s backs. I wanted that for Bella. You know? Someone to watch her back and for her to watch theirs.”
“You’re attractive and Bella is amazing. You can totally still find someone who will fall in love with you both and expand your family.”
All of the Italian in me raises up. “Fuck outta here.” I catch myself after the words are out of my mouth. I look away, chiding myself for the harsh response. Lizzy has been nothing but nice to me.
“Aww, come on. There’s someone for you. As long as you don’t try to wrap gifts for her.”
Her laughter pulls my gaze back to her face. She has a heartwarming smile in place. Not the scowl I thought she’d have from my harsh words and harsher tone. For the first time, I notice she has an adorable dimple in her right cheek. Suddenly, the bands around my heart start to loosen and one falls away.
Chapter 17
For Me
Dante
“So, how has it been living with Lizzy?” Dario asks as he sips from his coffee cup.
“Remember that time we ran into the shed back at Nonno’s in Italy?”
“The time you stepped on that nail?”
“Yes, that would be the time. It feels sort of like that.”
Dario winces. “Dude, they had so much trouble getting that thing out. I thought you were a goner, or at least the foot was.”
“I’ve never known pain like that in my life. Nonno wouldn’t let me cry either.”
“No, but you got your first taste of whiskey. I was so jealous. Anyway, back to your PA. You’re telling me, living with her”—he points in Lizzy’s direction—“equates to the greatest pain you have ever known. How?”
“How did I not realize how gorgeous she is before I hired her to live with me? I mean, sure, I was aware that she is attractive, but I don’t remember her tits being that perky and her smile being so breathtaking.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“Women aren’t for me. My poor choices affect Bella. At the moment, Lizzy is Bella’s anchor. She’s more off-limits than any woman there is,” I say.
Dario grunts. “After the level of fucked up my life is, I’m going to mind my business.”
“What does that mean? Where’s Carleen?”
My brother pulls a hand down his face. “We had a fight. Don’t ask me what about. I still don’t know.”
“What? You guys never fight.”
“Tell me about it. I never should have read her diary and I sure as hell shouldn’t have given her that wish.”
“What wish?”
“Long story, bro. I sort of—”
“Daddy, Uncle Dario. Let’s go. It’s time to open up presents.”
“We’re coming, munchkin,” Dario croons. “I can’t deny Bella seems happier. How about you? How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine.”
Dario heaves a breath. “I know we’ve been taught to hold our feelings in, but I see this shit eating at you. If you’re not going to deal with it by releasing some sexual tension, find something. Bella needs you as much as a substitute mother.”
My twin’s words burn right through my chest. A substitute mother? Is that what I’ve done?
I’m not sure how I feel about that idea. No, I haven’t dealt with my emotions or grief. All in one night, I found out my wife was cheating on me and she was then murdered. We couldn’t even have an open casket.
A week after burying my wife, I had to move in a live-in PA. Lizzy and Nyla have been questioned as suspects. Apparently, someone told the police about the altercation at the restaurant during the Thanksgiving dinner.
They were both cleared, but there are still no real leads as to who could have done this. I don’t have time to fall apart about my losses. Day by day, my focus has been on Bella’s happiness. She’s my priority.