Page 46 of Head Over Heels

"That's different. I like you."

I don't see how that matters. "Most likely, when it becomes public that I have this coin, the entire estate will be tied up in legal battles for years. If I keep it quiet until I pay off the judgment, the estate will be rightfully mine, and I can settle the legal issue on my own terms."

She thinks for a long moment. "How much do you need?"

"I'm not taking your money."

"Why not? You were going to borrow it from your friends and pay them back double. Pay me back double, and we both win." She pulls her hair into a messy bun, leaning back and crossing her arms.

"You're doing that on purpose. Stop it," I tell her.

"Doing what?"

I swallow. "Tempting me with that damn neck of yours." I close my eyes before taking a deep breath. "It would feel like money for sex."

"So don't have sex with me," she teases, seductively dragging her fingertips across said neckline.

"It wouldn't matter." I shake my head. "We're publicly engaged, it would be logically assumed that I'm sleeping with you, and as far as public perception goes…"

"Then let me see what you have," she says matter-of-factly. "Between my brother knowing coins and my sister Catalina knowing art, we can raise enough. I don't think it would be that hard."

I bite my lip thoughtfully. "Let me think about it." I need to look at the big picture. I also need to talk to Mom and Dad to find out what they know about Grandpa Karl's history. I don't think Mom will talk, but Dad might.

19

Florence

"Nonna." I reach over and give my grandmother a gentle hug. "How're you doing?" I sit down on the couch next to her. With everyone at my parents' house for our weekly family dinner, it gets a little chaotic for her.

"La vita è bella, carino."Life is beautiful. "Tell me what's new in your life. How are things at the hospital?"

I groan. "Mostly good." I glance over at my brother and his kids. His youngest, Lena, is within earshot. "We had a littleporcellinoat work who was trying to take me out on a date."

"Doesn't he know that he's not exactly what you're looking for in that regard?" She hides a smile, but she can't hide the glint of amusement in her eye.

Lena comes over and gives Nonna a big hug.

"Sit down,carino,"Nonna tells her. She settles on the floor between us. She's done this since she was three, after Joe told her you get smart by listening to Nonna. She does it to Mom, too, when Mom is sitting still—which isn't very often. Nonnaswitches to Italian. "Is he bothering you? You should report him."

I laugh. "I'm the top boss. Everyone reports to me."

"Why do you have a pig working in your office, Auntie Florence?" Lena asks, curious.

"Well," I tap her nose, "he was wearing the mask of a man until he showed his true colors. Now that we know what he really is, he can't work there anymore."

"Is he likeil porcellinothat he brings luck? Nonna told me that story, once."

"A little like that," I say. "But instead of bringing good luck to anyone who touches him, he brings bad luck to anyone he talks to."

"You should use duct tape to shut his mouth then," she declares. "Dad says duct tape can fix anything."

Joe bends over to greet Nonna before answering his daughter. "I saidalmostanything. Duct tape can't fix people, sweetie. We use our words to fix things with people." He winks at me. "Or you get your auntie to send them away."

Nonna laughs. "Giovanni. Don't teach your daughter to rely on others. She can stand up for herself." She turns back to me, her tone shifting. "Is he a real problem?"

I take her thin hands in mine. "He hasn't hurt anyone," I tell her. "We're taking care of the problem. I'm the boss, remember? No one acts like that on my watch." I squeeze her hands. I learned from the strong Italian women in my life not to take shit from anyone.

"Sometimes you've gotta muck the stalls," Lena says at our feet.

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