Page 147 of Say It Isn't So

Oh, no. I shook my head. There was nomaybeabout it. Angelina was right.

It seemed I wouldn’t be having a hamburger or hot dog tonight. Crow was on the menu for me. A hearty helping of it.

* * *

Knox

“. . . So I think the hot dog was what really what put Knox over the edge and made him realize it was me, and I was the right choice all along.” Bianca finished telling the story of her having her first hot dog, but left out some parts (okay, a lot of parts) because Isabella was standing beside Maria listening. We’d call the story Bianca just told the censored version.

Isabella’s eyes lit up and her jaw practically hit the floor. “Wowww,” she cried. “Aunt Bibi that’s so romantic.”

Something told me anything to a five year old’s ears sounded romantic, especially when Bianca put a nice little bow on it and said that was how we got together. It wasn’t the hot dog we owed credit to, but I knew what Bianca was saying. Truth was, I think maybe I’d always known it was Bianca and was just too stupid to see it sooner. Or afraid.

Definitely afraid.

Bianca always gave me a pass when I was stupid, said it wasn’t my fault, it was just because males were given more stupid cells when they were born. My girl certainly had a way with words.

Bianca bent down in front of Isabella and tapped her nose. “The most romantic. Knox is quite the catch.”

“Is he your very own prince?” Isabella asked, her eyes larger than life.

Bianca got up and smiled, looking at me as she answered, “You betcha.”

I put my arm over her shoulder and pulled her toward me, kissing the top of her head. “What about you, Isabella? Your uncle Dom tells us you have a friend named John.”

Isabella gagged, sticking her tongue out and placing her finger in her mouth. Clearly the idea of John being her prince made her sick. “John is my toothless friend! Ew, that’s gross.”

I chuckled, putting my hands up. “Noted.”

Maria and Bianca joined in, laughing, too.

“What’s got you all in stitches?” Dom asked, coming up to us.

“Uncle Dom!” Isabella yelled, moving toward him.

Dom didn’t wait another second before bending down and scooping her up with one arm. “How’s my Peanut doing?”

“I’m good,” she said against his cheek and rested her head on his, the smile she wore never once leaving her face.

Maria watched, a smile on her face. “How’s the grilling coming along?” Maria asked Dom.

Dom put Isabella down as he answered Maria. “Had to teach the newbies what was up.” He winked. “I’m only kidding. Frankie and Brady are naturals.” Then he pointed at me. “You were working the grill one minute and then poof, it was the Great Disappearing Act of Knox.”

I shrugged my shoulders. ”I missed Bianca. I always miss Bianca when we’re not together. I can say it isn’t so, but I’d be lying.”

Isabella sighed sweetly and we all looked at her. Then she tugged on Dom’s pants and he leaned down to give her his hand. She took it in hers, the size difference undeniable. “Can I go inside for something?”

Dom nodded. “Sure, Peanut. I’ll go with you.”

“Okay,” she said, bouncing in a way that made her hair—that was in a knot at the top of her head—flop every which way.

When Dom and Isabella were out of earshot, Bianca gushed, “She is so cute.”

“So you say,” Maria responded, chuckling.

Bianca eyed Maria and then looked at me. “Am I wrong? Come on, Knox. She’s adorable, isn’t she? I could watch her all day.”

“Oh, no!” Allie said, coming up to us, a dish in her hands. “I was going to bring this to the table, but couldn’t help but overhear.”

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