Page 17 of Summer on Sunshine Bay

“What about Ana? I thought you had a date tonight,” Eva said.

Bruno had been dating Ana for more than a year. She was a nice woman who had the patience of a saint when it came to Bruno’s devotion to the Rosetti women. But even a saint ran out of patience, and Eva didn’t want Bruno to jeopardize his relationship with Ana because of them.

“We weren’t doing anything special. She’ll understand. And you”—he pointed a stern finger at Eva—“keep a lid on your temper and give your daughter a chance to explain.”

“How do you know she wants to explain anything to me?”

“Because you left your phone on the bar, and I recognize Lila’s ringtone. She’s been calling you nonstop for the past fifteen minutes. And before you ask, no, I didn’t answer. I’m not your mother.” He reached in his pants pocket and pulled out her phone, handing it back to her.

She pressed it to her chest. Surely her daughter wouldn’t be anxious to reach her if she were involved in Windemere. “Lila loves you too, you know,” Eva said to Bruno, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “And so do we.”

“We do, and we’d be lost without you,” Gia said, taking his hand in hers.

“Then it’s a good thing I’m not planning on going anywhere,” Bruno said, his voice gruff. “Now go get changed. I’ll prepare a tray for your mother.”

Eva and her sister picked up the shoes they’d left to the right of the door, and then Eva brought her phone to her ear. As she took the stairs to her apartment, she listened to the message Lila had left her.

“Mom, I’m so sorry. I know how you, Zia, and Nonna must have felt when you saw me. I had no idea I was going to Windemere. You have to believe me. It’s the last place I wanted to be. I wouldn’t do that to you, to any of you. I’ll…I’ll explain everything when I see you. I love you.”

A small, relieved sob escaped from Eva before she could contain it, and her sister reached for her. “What is it?”

“Lila. She has nothing to do with Windemere. The poor thing feels so bad. You should’ve heard her.”

“Let me.” Gia gestured for Eva to replay the message.

Eva did, and she and her sister shared teary-eyed smiles. As much as Lila’s suspected betrayal had hurt Carmen and Eva, it would’ve hurt Gia too. She was a second mother to Lila. Just as Eva was a second mother to her nieces.

“I feel bad for thinking the worst of Lila,” Eva murmured. “Bruno was right. I should’ve known better. Lila loves us and La Dolce Vita too much to have agreed to work for James at Windemere.”

“You still think James owns Windemere?” Gia asked as she opened her apartment door. It was the apartment where their mother had raised Eva and her sisters. She’d given it to Gia when she’d moved back home with Sage and Willow more than twenty-five years earlier. Gia had converted the main bedroom to an art studio once the girls moved out.

“Of course. Why else would he be here?”

“You’re right. I just…” Gia shrugged. “I expected better of him, I guess.”

“You’re just like Bruno. You always saw the best in James.”

“Even you have to admit that he’s a wonderful father, Eva. Lila adores him.”

And why wouldn’t she? James was everything a girl could ask for in a father. When Lila was younger, there’d been times when Eva had wished he weren’t so perfect or so rich. He could give their daughter everything, make all her dreams come true, whereas all Eva could offer was her love, hers and her family’s.

Except James had offered her that too. His wife had been a lovely woman who’d gone out of her way to make Lila feel like a part of their family, and Lila had two younger half sisters whom she adored. “If he was so wonderful, he would’ve put his daughter’s feelings above his business interests.”

“I know, which is why I can’t help but wonder if we’ve got this wrong. As much as you and James have had your difficulties, he wouldn’t intentionally set out to hurt Lila or our family. He has to know that’s exactly what his involvement in Windemere would do.”

“I agree, but I can’t think of any other reason for him being at Windemere, and he’s the only one who’d be able to convince Lila to attend the grand opening.”

Gia nodded as she stepped inside her apartment. “It would explain why her colleague, David, was there.”

“We’ll have our answers soon enough,” Eva said, anxious to see her daughter despite the news she’d share about James and Windemere. Eva would have to be careful how she reacted because no matter how Lila felt about the family and La Dolce Vita, she was extremely protective of her father.

While showering and changing into another black wraparound dress, Eva practiced how she’d react to the news. She still hadn’t settled on the best way to respond when she met her sister coming out of their mother’s apartment. “Is Ma feeling any better?”

Gia shook her head. Like Eva, she hadn’t taken the time to fully dry her hair and wore it pulled back in a ponytail. “She’s in bed. I got a small smile and a nod when I told her about Lila’s message, and then she pulled the covers to her chin and turned over.”

“Bruno will get through to her, and if he can’t, the girls will. Knowing Lila, she’s already called Sage and Willow,” Eva said as they made their way to the deck.

“The Cousins Pact,” Gia said, and they shared a smile.

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