Page 92 of And Everything In Between

“It is a hit,” he murmured, shaking off the doubt creeping in. “I’m tripping.”

“Of course it is.” She reached for his phone to read the reviews. “I don’t know why you had doubts to begin with.”

“A little doubt is healthy. That's how I stay sharp.”

She looked down at him, eyes tracing the faint tension in his brow, the kind that never fully left. He carried so much without complaint—but she saw the toll.

“I'm proud of you,” she said simply. “Not just for the show. For everything you built to get here. It’s been a pleasure to watch.”

His eyes met hers, something vulnerable passing through them briefly before he smiled. “We're just getting started. Spirit's already talking season two, maybe even a line of custom parts.”

She nodded, fingers tracing the tattoo that peeked from beneath his tank top. “Long as you don't forget who you are in all this.”

“How could I?” He caught her hand, pressed a kiss on her palm. “I got you to remind me.”

The moment stretched between them; comfortable silence filled the room. This was her favorite version of them, unguarded, unhurried, existing together in the quiet moments.

“We should make breakfast,” Giovanni stated like he was sharing a secret, “I’m tired of the hotel room service shit.”

Paige smiled, remembering the morning after their first night together, how he'd fed her and cared for her even then. “First day things.”

“Nah, stepping it up this time.” He stood, lifting her easily with him. “Pancakes. Bacon. The works. Celebration breakfast.”

“You always drive me a good kinda crazy. I’ll help.”

The kitchen became their playground. Paige perched on the counter, legs swinging, occasionally handing him ingredients but mostly watching.

“My daddy used to make Sunday breakfast,” Giovanni said, the memory seemingly surfacing without warning. “No matter how late he worked Saturday, no matter what was going on at the shop. Pancakes, eggs, bacon so crispy it shattered when you bit it.”

Paige smiled, imagining a younger version of the man before her, watching his father with the same fascinated attention she now gave him. As Giovanni described his father's Sunday breakfast tradition, Paige found herself smiling, but with a distant look in her eyes.

“What?” he asked, catching her expression.

“Just thinking about PJ.” It came out softly, almost reflective. “He used to steal all the bacon before I could get to it.” She laughed, the memory both painful and sweet. “Haven't thought about that in years.”

Giovanni reached for her hand, understanding the rare gift of her sharing these memories. “I wish I would’ve been able to meet him. I’ll be sure to honor him by eating all the bacon,” he smiled and kissed her neck.

PJ would’ve liked Giovanni. That thought came out of nowhere, but it settled heavy and true. Maybe the guilt would never fully leave her. But this life she was building, it felt like a kind of redemption. The healed woman in her knew now: if it was his time, nothing she did could’ve changed it. Her parents would’ve just buried two children instead of one.

“Your pops would’ve loved the show.” She wanted to refocus her mind on anything else but missing her brother.

Giovanni nodded, flipping another perfect pancake. “He would've had opinions, though.‘Why you letting them film that part? That's trade secrets, boy.’” His impression of his father'sgruff voice made her laugh. She wished that she could have met him, but she had a pretty good idea of who he’d be.

“What about your momma?” she asked. “She excited?”

“Shit, you know it. Already texted this morning talking about how the phone's been ringing off the hook. Ladies at church, cousins who ain't reached out in years. She's eating it up.”

The easy rhythm of their conversation continued as they moved to the table, plates piled high with food. Paige closed her eyes at the first bite, making a small sound of appreciation that had Giovanni grinning.

“Told you.” He reached for the syrup. “Skills.”

“Never doubted you, baby,” she said around another bite.

As they ate, conversation drifted—plans for the day, maybe a drive up the coast, maybe nothing at all.

“I was thinking...” Giovanni set down his fork.

Paige raised a brow. “That's dangerous.”

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