Page 167 of Mafia and Gold Digger

She stands in the entry way, frozen.

“Emerald?”

She doesn’t answer, and I take a look around the place. The kids are back from their play date. Giulietta, complete with her wonky braids, and Jaspar are at the small table in the entry doing their homework. Even Milena is. The maid is dusting behind them, and there’s a small platter of fruit and vegetables I left for them in the fridge before I went to get Emerald.

“Emerald?”

“You… They’re doing their homework?”

“Yes?”

“All of them and without being told?” she murmurs.

“I asked them to get started on it before I came to get you. We’ve worked out a system this last week.”

“And who braided Giulietta’s hair? Milena hates doing it for her…plus, she does, um, much better braids than that when she actually does them.”

I shrug. “I learned to braid hair. And I’m telling you, Emerald, it’s fucking hard,” I say with a grimace.

She looks absolutely stunned at the scene in front of her.

And slowly, she turns around.

The expression on her face does something to me.

Fills some hole in me that’s Emerald-shaped.

She launches herself at me.

And I let out a soft grunt and catch my balance before we both topple over.

“Thank you, Saint!”

“Huh?”

Her voice is thick as she hugs me. “Thank you,” she repeats more softly, but there’s an edge to her voice. “I appreciate everything you did with buying the boutique…but a love story can’t be made out of a one-off grand gesture.”

This doesn’t sound good.

And my heart starts rapidly sinking.

“Saint, areal love storyis when someone wants to do all the small things for youevery single day. When a fierce man like you lets his guard down enough to take care of the kids for me. Doing all the mundane tasks that are what family life and love are really about. Being here for me when it really matters. Day in, day out. That’s what real love is.”

Her words make hope start to flare within me. “And is this whatforeverlove is, Emerald?”

The silence beats between us.

I hold my breath as I wait for her answer.

“Yes,” she whispers. “It’s the love I want forever and ever.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

And I finally feel like I can breathe again.

“You’re the only woman I want a love story with, Emerald.Only you.It’s only ever been you.You’re the one I love.And I loveyou so goddamn much. And I realize now by not telling you that, I was lying by omission. I was lying to myself and lying to you. And you deserve so much more than that.”

“You buying the boutique was amazing, Saint. Butthis, looking after the kids for me in this way, this means the whole world to me. You’re a much better man than you think.”

---