Page 21 of Better Left Unsaid

“I was, actually.”

Just then, the lights dimmed, music began playing, and the curtain slowly lifted. The show was starting. And yet all I could think about was whether I trusted Jade. Who I hadn’t wanted to invite, mind you. But my sisters had insisted it was the right thing to do. So here we were.

Now it was my turn to lean over and whisper in Dom’s ear. “I worry Jade’s a loose cannon.” I was perspiring slightly, thinking about Jade sitting with us and the entire family. She could slip up at any point. Was she good at keeping secrets? I hadn’t a clue. For all I knew, she could be the world’s worst secret keeper.

“It’s fine,” he whispered back, sounding so confident. How did he do that? I wanted to know what it was he knew that I didn’t.

“How do you know that? What if she—” Before I could continue my babble, he brought his hand over mine in my lap. I knew no one was watching us, so they wouldn’t see.

After that, it was like a switch turned off in my brain. I relaxed and decided to stop worrying about Jade and what she was or wasn’t going to say and watch Isabella—my pride and joy—dance her heart out.

* * *

I thought it was nice that my dad had dinner catered at his house for the entire family after Isabella’s recital.

Apparently, my daughter didn’t feel the same way because she tapped my arm, peering down at her plate with a scrunched nose and pouty lips. “I don’t like my salmon. Can I be excused?”

“Are you sure?” I asked as Isabella gently slid her dish away from her. All right, I got my answer. She was definitely not interested in the salmon.

Shrugging her tiny, sparkly shoulder, she eyed me closely. “I ate all my pasta.” A yawn escaped before she could get the words out, though, and I knew it was bedtime. A glance at my watch confirmed it.

I rubbed her back. “You may be excused. Go find your room, and you can take a nap. I’ll wake you up when it’s time to go home.”

Isabella didn’t waste any time, running around the table and giving my father a hug. “Thank you, Nonno. I’m going to sleep.”

Suddenly a chorus of “good night, Peanut” rang out from everyone at the table, and with a final wave, my dancer was off.

“She really is quite talented and such a polite little thing,” Jade noted, smiling softly at me. “You’re doing an excellent job with her, Maria.”

I swallowed the bite of Alaskan king salmon I had in my mouth and took a sip of chardonnay. “Thank you.” I really didn’t know what else to say.

The conversations continued while I finished my dinner. Beside me, Dom put his utensils down and wiped his mouth. “This was delicious, Angelo. Thank you.”

My father beamed. Anything that came out of Dom’s mouth might as well have been dripping in gold the way it pleased my father. “My pleasure. But there’s still dessert. You don’t have to run off yet, do you?”

Dom shook his head. “No, of course not.” Then he looked around the table before turning to me, his eyes meeting mine in an intense look. “But if you’ll excuse me.” He stood up, but not before whispering in my ear, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

I nodded in acknowledgment and looked back down at my plate. Why was he telling me?

Did I need to know that information?

Wait! Oooh, I knew why he was telling me. Even my body knew why he was telling me—my thighs suddenly clenching and my vagina pulsing.

With a look around the table, I smiled at Perla who caught my gaze. “I’ll just be right back.” I pushed back, laid my napkin on the table, and promptly went in pursuit of Dom.

Why didn’t he just tell me to meet him in the bathroom? Instead, he had to be all coy. It was cute really. But I got his signal. I knew what he was telling me without actually telling me. I picked up what he was putting down. Honestly, I commended myself because who knew I’d get code like that. But I got it.

I didn’t even bother knocking on the bathroom door—obviously, why would I, he wanted me in there with him—and tried the handle. Yep, it was unlocked.Dom, I so got you.Without even looking inside, I snaked my way in and closed the door behind me, locking it this time.

“Umm, what are you doing?” Dom asked, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline as he rinsed soap off his hands.

I gave him a sultry look, biting my bottom lip as I pointed at the toilet. “Flushing the toilet and running the water to make it seem like you actually peed? Genius!”

He furrowed his brows and shut the water off, reaching for the guest towel to dry his hands. “I did actually pee.” He gave me a puzzled look and eyed the locked door. “Why are you here, and didn’t I lock the door?”

I shook my head, clacking my tongue on the roof of my mouth. “Dom, Dom, Dom,” I said in a sing-song voice. He didn’t need to act like this wasn’t part of his plan all along.I’m going to the bathroom.That was totally code forMaria, meet me in the bathroom so we can fool around. Hello, I cracked it. Why was he acting like I was missing something? And why were we still talking when I should have been half naked by now?

“All right, what’s with saying my name repeatedly? And, again, why are you in here with me?”

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