Page 33 of Family Secrets

Removing the chain from around her neck, “Of course. There’s an inscription inside, but the letters are too worn to make out what is written.”

Taking the ring between his fingers, Gino recognized the crest immediately. “It’s beautiful. Any idea who it belonged to?” His curious eyes flicking to Elizabeth.

“No, my granny never married and had no living relatives. I’d assumed she found it at a garage sale or something, maybe put it away and forgot about it.”

Gino flipped the ring, the engraving had indeed faded, but it was a phrase he knew well. “You’re right, too faded to tell.” He lied handing the ring back to her, relishing the feel of her skin against his.

Elizabeth slipped the chain around her neck, looking around the room for a sign for the bathroom. “I need to use the lady's room. Can you point me in the right direction?”

Gino stood from his seat, pointing to the left of their table. “Down the hall, last door on your right.”

He waited until she was far enough down the hall before pulling his phone from his pocket. “Hey, I need to ask you something about one of your friends.”

Elizabeth’s shouldersslumped as she took in the length of the line to the lady’s room. Pulling out her new phone, she laid her thumb on the screen, still amazed she had such a sophisticated piece of technology at her fingertips. Using the wait to peruse her favorite social media to avoid uncomfortable conversations with those in line around her. Elizabeth landed on a post from the city of Middleton, a photo of the general store with the caption of store closing soon.

“You promisedI would have a ring by now.”

Internally rolling her eyes at the outburst from the girl in line behind her, she continued to scan the story of the only grocery store in town closing their doors after forty years in the community.

“I don’t givea fuck how busy you are! I’ve waited long enough.”

In the short time working for Amato, she’d become immune to her coworkers having the same conversation as the girl behind her. Their need for a big diamond and someone to take care of them more appealing than taking care of themselves.

Gino stoodas Elizabeth approached the table, pulling out her chair as he ended his call, “Love you too, Ma.”

Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised to hear such admiration come from Gino’s lips, having heard so much to the contrary about the mysterious man. Taking the offered seat, seconds before two bowls were placed on the table before them. Elizabeth lifted the spoon to her mouth, as she was assaulted with memories of sitting on her granny’s couch and watching various Christmas movies while enjoying the delicious soup. “You’re right, this soup is amazing.”

Gino pushed his bowl to the side, opening his mouth to question whether Elizabeth would like a glass of wine when the chair to his left was pulled out and the woman of his deepest nightmares slid in beside him.

Elizabeth stopped with her hand halfway to her mouth as the woman from the bathroom slid in beside Gino, her boobs spilling out of a dress which was so tight her hard nipples were showing through.

“There you are, sweetheart.” Felicia cooed, laying her lips to Gino’s cheek and scooting her body so close to his she’s practically in his lap. “You promised me a rain check and I’ve come to collect.”

Elizabeth looked to the unquestionably beautiful woman, with thick highlighted curls, and olive skin, and a body that could start a war.

“Felicia,” Gino coldly greeted, pushing her chair back to its original position.

Elizabeth tried not to read anything into the interaction between the pair. It was clear there was a history, and by the look in Felicia’s eyes, there were some feelings, at least on her part. Reminding herself jealousy had no place here, the dinner tonight only a statement of gratitude and not a proclamation of undying love. Lowering her spoon, Elizabeth wiped her mouth and looked for an exit.

“You’re interrupting me,” Gino told Felicia with conviction, his tone leaving no room for argument. Felicia Vittorio may rule the home she shared with her parents, but she had no authority in any place where Gino took a breath. “I’m in the middle of a dinner date with the lovely Elizabeth Smith.”

Brown angry eyes flashed to Elizabeth, scrutinizing her from the edge of the table to the tallest hair atop her head. Felicia had heard of the new bitch working for Gino, everything pointing to her hooking up with Sully. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

Narrowing her eyes, Felicia turned back to Gino, “Play around all you want, Gino. But your birthday is coming, and we will be married.”

Elizabeth waited as the furious woman shoved her way down the aisle, hip-checking a waiter and sending his tray of cocktails crashing to the floor.

“Congratulations,” she turned back slowly. “Felicia is beautiful.”

“And a habitual liar,” Gino argued, tossing back his drink before signaling for another. “Her uncle and my father agreed the two of us should be married.”

“I take it you don’t want that? To get married, I mean?”

“Not to her, no.” A few months ago, he would have said a hard no to marriage as a whole, but in the blink of an eye, the woman across the table from him made him reconsider.

“Now, finish your soup, I have one more thing to show you tonight.”

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