Page 62 of Say It Isn't So

“Yes, but no. I mean, yes, because we’re friends, but we’re nothing more than that right now.” Notice those two little words I tacked on to the end? Even though I wanted us to be more than friends, that was the truth. I didn’t want to lie to him, even if he did forbid it. If there was something more to tell, then I would, but for now it was what it was.

“Not ever,” he deadpanned, obviously catching on to my words.

I shook my head. “Daddy,” I pleaded, not sure what else to say.

“I’m not debating this with you, Bianca. My decision is final.” He narrowed his eyes and began playing with his Italian gold and diamond-encrusted horseshoe ring. “Don’t make me repeat myself, Bianca.”

My heart practically broke that he wouldn’t hear me out on this one and he didn’t trust my judgment.

What I wanted to say: I’m a grown woman, so if I want to be more than friends with Knox, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.

I didn’t want to get into it with him, though. Frankly, I found it pointless. I was never one for avoiding things, preferring to deal with them head-on (most times). But this time was an exception, because we could’ve gone ten rounds with each other and still never seen eye to eye. Unfortunately, it seemed we were going to have to agree to disagree that Knox was no good for me.

So instead, I said this: “Why don’t we change the subject, okay?” It was just easier this way.

The waitress finally came over and he ordered himself a cappuccino, not getting a chance to answer me. So as she left, I decided to change the topic anyway. “I can’t believe there’s going to be a Morelli reunion here soon.”

“Yes, your sisters are excited,” he said, each word sounding strained.

“Perla told me Frankie wasn’t sure if he could get an associate to work an event he had booked.”

Frankie was a photographer, and he was quite talented, so he was always booked, even on the weekends for weddings. Sometimes it upset Perla that he was gone so much, but honestly, she was a workaholic, too, so she didn’t mind it as much as someone else may have.

Dad sat back as the waitress brought his cappuccino over and offered her a smile. To me, he said, “Frankie is coming, he was able to make it work. He wants to be here with Perla. It’s a big night for the whole family.”

He was referring to the new collaboration, I knew, but also the fact that every year the party seemed to grow in size. It was a testament to all the hard work we put into the magazine.

I leaned forward and grabbed my cappuccino, taking a sip before putting the cup back down. “You should order something to eat. The food here is delicious.”

“I know,” he agreed. “And I will. I just want you to know that’s what I want for you, baby girl. That’s what you deserve.”

He lost me. I arched a brow. “What do you mean?”

“Frankie is a good man. He’s a husband Perla can depend on. He comes from a good Italian family and was brought up well.” It seemed changing the subject hadn’t made a difference, because we’d ended right back where I didn’t want to be. I opened my mouth to speak, but he put a hand up. “I’ve said my piece, and I will move on now. What I do, though, is for your own good. I know what’s best, I’ve lived a lot longer than you and I know the cruel realities of this world, the people in it.”

Maybe he didn’t know what was best, I mused, but kept that thought to myself. Clearing my throat, I asked, “Is Dom staying in New York with Isabella?” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wished I’d said anything but them. Why would I bring up Dom? If I could have slapped myself upside my head, I would have. What was wrong with me? Bringing up Dom was the equivalent to bringing up Frankie, if not worse. Dad held Dom on such a high pedestal, no one would ever measure up.

And they were both great guys, but Dad didn’t know Knox. He was a good man, too. If only he would give him a chance, then he’d see that.

“Angelina offered to watch Isabella so Dom could be here with Maria, but Dom insisted, said he’d been to these parties before and wanted to spend time with our peanut.”

Thankfully, he bypassed the wholeDom was a godsendthing,the type of man I should be with, blah, blah, blah. So I, in exchange, focused on how sweet Frankie’s mother, Angelina, was. “That was nice of Angelina.”

He nodded. “She’s very considerate like that.”

She had become part of the family in a short period of time. She kept my dad company, too, cooking for him and sharing meals with him. They even went to church together on Sundays. I was glad that he had someone to spend time with when my sisters and I weren’t around.

Clapping his hands together, he changed the subject himself, announcing, “Well, I think I’ll order sausage and eggs.”

“Daddy!” I admonished. “Sausage is no good for your heart.”

“Merda,” he mumbled in return, clearly not interested in my talk (or shit, as he put it) on heart health. Furrowing his brows, he added, “I have four girls, my heart has been through a lot more than a little fat. Plus, if the sausage doesn’t kill me, then something else will.”

Chapter Twenty

Knox

As much asBianca and I wanted to meet up in Milan, it was like the world was conspiring against us.

---