Page 151 of Say It Isn't So

“You know the new pizzeria across from the gym, Dad? That’s his—Pedro’s Pizzeria.”

Maria was not really selling it. Even I angled my head to the side.

I knew she was dating, but I didn’t know she’d moved on to Pedro. Apparently Pedro of Pedro’s Pizzeria. Dad would definitely have a hard time with this one. Thank heavens it wasn’t me this time.

As if reading even my mind, he spoke slowly and enunciated each word as he asked, “He’s a Mexican who owns a pizzeria?” When Maria didn’t answer, he continued, “What does he know about pizza? What’s the matter with this family?” Then he slapped his forehead, sighed, and picked up his glass for another sip.

Maria hopped up on a bar stool. “Relax, it’s not serious. Not yet anyway.”

I’d sworn all eyes were on her until Dad said, “Not ever. You and Dom—now that’s going to happen.”

“Dad!” Maria whined like Isabella did.

“It is. We all know it,” he returned.

Man, he was so sure on this one. I wondered what he knew that I didn’t.

“Didn’t you have something you wanted to say to Bibi?” Maria asked and deflected his attention back on me.

I almost groaned out of fear over what he’d say, but he didn’t make me wait long to find out. He quickly cleared his throat and announced without preamble, “You can have your job back, Bianca.”

Woah!I had not see that one coming. How was I supposed to tell my family I didn’t want to go back to the magazine, my family’s magazine—our legacy—but instead I was going to pursue my lifelong dream?

Oh, that was right, I wasn’t. At least not yet. Hey, not everything needed to happen right now, okay?

I rolled my lips and finally responded, “Um, thanks, but I think I’ll pass. Knox is heading to Paris for Haute Couture and I’m going with him. It’s where it all started for us, so it feels right.”

Yeah, focus on the short-term, that’s the way to do this.

Meanwhile, I was smiling just thinking about being back in Paris with Knox. This time, I wouldn’t have to resist wanting him or fight another woman for him. Or look over my shoulder or stress out about my father possibly finding out about us. In short, it was going to be even better than before. And the first time was pretty darn amazing.

Dad nodded. “I won’t push, but it’s yours if you change your mind.”

I was about to thank him for the offer, but just then Knox opened the back door and popped that gorgeous head of his inside. “Hey, sorry to interrupt, but the fireworks are starting and I was hoping to watch them with Bianca.”

Looking from my dreamy man to my father, I waited for permission to leave.

With a final sip of his limoncello, Daddy shooed us all away. “Go! All of you! Thank you for indulging me.”

Reaching the door first, I took Knox’s hand in mine and looked up at him. “Let’s go watch some fireworks.”

Bending down, Knox kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “Then what do you say we go make some of our own?”

Epilogue #1

Bianca

“Ready?” Knox shoutedfrom the door.

Running out of our bedroom with my last suitcase in hand, I nodded and stopped to catch my breath. “Yes, yes. Sorry. You know, it takes time for me to pack.”

Knox let his head fall as he looked at me. “Bianca, unfortunately I know that, but you started packing days ago. Come on, I want to get to Ohio by nightfall and we’re already two hours behind schedule.”

Maybe I was late, but my man needed to learn to slow down a little and relax. I walked up to him and brushed my finger over his furrowed eyebrows. Then I smoothed over the space between them. “Relax, baby. It’ll be okay.” I could see it was working, but he’d need a lot more where that came from before he actually relaxed about this whole trip.

He exhaled like there was an elephant sitting on his chest. “You know, this was your idea,” he reminded me for the umpteenth time.

Get it tattooed on my forehead already. I know it was my idea.And Knox was never going to let me forget it.

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