Page 68 of Mila: The Godfather

I also notice how he never looks the part of the rich and ruthless gangster dressed to the nines in expensive suits like most men that work for my sister do. Perhaps, it’s only an Italian mafioso custom? I do not know.

He looks carefree, and like he’s actually enjoying this adventure.

I keep stealing glances, watching him eat his ice cone while walking side by side.

I chose the coconut one, while Riagan chose the guava flavor. He even got his guard, who’s been standing back watching his surroundings like a hawk– one.

I noticed the two men really enjoy treats.

Which is interesting since he doesn’t look like a man who likes to eat the way I saw him this morning. The look on his face while he took the first bite of my waffles will remain in my memory long after this arrangement is over. Gus and Carlotta are the only people who are always willing to try anything I bake. Kadra doesn’t eat sugar, so it was just us, and although I know my friends enjoy what I make them, no one has ever requested to eat as many waffles as Riagan did.

Which delighted me.

“Mila.” Riagan’s voice breaks through the confusing thoughts. I’ve been so deep in my head that I didn’t realize he stopped next to a kiosk where a lady in colorful clothing and a crazy hairstyle is selling hats. Noticing Riagan has extended an arm my way, I see he is holding a pretty aqua-colored hat with a baby turtle on it.

“Another hat?” I blurt out and instantly cringe. Do I sound ungrateful? I didn’t mean to. “I– I, it’s just that you don’t need to get me anything.” I look away, feeling embarrassed that my mouth got in the way of what I really wanted to say.

“You like hats.”

“I do.” He gently places the hat on my head. That’s when I realized that I left without my comfort cap, and not once have I felt the compulsion to reach for it.

“I like your smile when I give you shit.” He shrugs.

“You like my smile?”

“I do.”

“I like your smile, too.” I whisper, playing with the texture of the turtle logo on the hat.

Riagan laughs. A laugh that touches me the same way the sea breeze does my face.

It’s soothing. “Well… look at that. My future wife likes my smile. Shit.” His smile grows wider. So big that all his teeth are visible.

Future wife.

The prospect of being his wife shouldn’t cause my heartbeat to raise or my skin to feel hot, but it does.

I don’t know how to respond. I’m at a loss for words, so instead of opening my mouth and saying something that might make him lose that smile, I just smile right back and do my best to look him in the eyes, and when I do, something happens. Something that’s never happened before.

I get this strange sense that this man in front of me with the soulful eyes and melodic laugh is someone that I was destined to find.

Out of the blue, a girl in a baby pink bicycle races by, stealing my attention. The joyful and jovial look on the girl’s face as she rides her bike makes me smile wider than I was before.

She looks so happy and free.

How can such a simple activity like moving pedals and steering a wheel make someone look that happy?

“Do you want one?”

Riagan’s says from behind me, and without looking away from the girl who is now riding her bike faster while the wind blows her copper hair in all directions, I say. “I don’t know how.” I confess, still looking at the jovial girl. Then I wonder if he’ll mock me for it, but he doesn’t. Instead, he nods and jogs to the other side of the street, where there is a bicycle stand with a few of them. I frown when I see him talking to a man and hands him a wad of cash before grabbing one of the bikes and returning to where I am standing. The biggest smile spreads on my face. “You got a bike!”

“No, butterfly. You do.”

Shaking my head, I look down at the bicycle nervously. “I don’t know how. I–”

“I’ll teach you.” Then he offers me his hand, the one that’s not holding onto the bike.

“I don’t know…” I look up at his face, concentrating on his bearded cheek. “What if I fall?” I whisper vulnerably. The civilians will witness me making a fool of myself if I crash and fall.

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