Page 149 of Say It Isn't So

Bianca’s smile went from ear to ear. “I can’t believe just observing us helped you figure that out.”

I stood, walking the short distance to them. “What are you doing, Bianca? He just said he approved, don’t poke the bear.”

Angelo harrumphed. “I just hope you can accept my apology,” he directed to me.

I nodded. “No apology necessary. You were looking out for your daughter. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same if I were in your shoes.”

He laughed, a deep, throaty laugh that felt like it could shake the ground. I looked down to check.Nope, we’re all good. The ground’s not shaking.“Son, you can’t fit in my shoes.”

Bianca and I laughed. Had Angelo Morelli just cracked a joke? With me?

Holy shit, Angelo Morelli hadn’t just laughed at something I’d said, but he’d just cracked a jokewith me.

Had hell frozen over?

“Hey, Dad,” Allie called, waving her hand to get his attention on the other side of the table. “Come here.”

“Coming.” With a wink at me and a head nod at Bianca, he was gone.

“Aunt Bibi, Aunt Bibi!”

I whipped my head around and watched as Isabella ran toward us, a piece of paper in her hand. “I made you something.”

Bianca’s eyes widened. “You did?” she asked animatedly. She was so good around her niece.

Isabella nodded, extending her hand with the paper toward Bianca. “Mmhmm.” Isabella could hardly contain her excitement. As Bianca looked at the drawing, I peered over her shoulder and—

“It’s a hot dog!” Isabella blurted out. “For you and Knox.”

Bianca and I both looked at each other and tried to contain our laughter. Isabella’s hot dog drawing had two big eyes and a smile.

“We love it,” Bianca said. “Right, Knox?”

I nodded and winked at the little girl. “Absolutely. Artist Isabella.”

Isabella gasped. “Oooh, I like that.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, hardly able to stand how cute she was. And how she drew us a picture—of a hot dog.

Isabella nodded. “Yeah, but I can’t be an artist.”

I cocked a brow. “Why not?”

“Because I’m going to be a model like my uncle Dom.”

Bianca giggled and tapped the top of her head. “You sure are, Peanut.”

* * *

Bianca

“The fireworks are about to start,” Perla said as she walked in and sat down at the kitchen counter. “What’s up, Allie?”

I looked at Allie, who only shrugged. “No idea. Maria asked me to come in and bring you.”

“Dad asked me to come in,” I added, not that I had any more information to offer. And oddly enough, neither Dad nor Maria were here. In fact, I hadn’t seen either of them for a while. “Where are they?”

“Who?” Dad asked as he stepped in, Maria’s arm linked through his like they were up to something.

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