Page 16 of Sexy AF
Nine
Benny
My lips tasted like Carrie, though it wasn’t enough. I’d fucked us up. But with time, I was determined to do what it took for her to give me her heart.
She rushed to the bathroom to shower and change while I used my phone to order food from her parents’ place and set up my next plan to win her heart. The jet was being fueled.
The doorbell rang. She popped her head out of the bathroom. “Who’s at the door?”
“Your sister.”
She came out in her old jeans and a worn white T-shirt. “Why?” She was adorable without shoes.
I kissed her cheek and held her hand. “I called her to bring you some jewelry.”
Her sister rang the bell again.
She lowered her head. “Jewelry doesn’t fix ten years of missing you.”
I reached out and cupped her chin until she looked at me. “No, it doesn’t. But it’s a gift for new beginnings.”
Her smile was bright, and she took my hand as we opened the door. Her sister handed me the pizza, and Carrie took multiple bags from her.
Isabella then came in with more bags. “So how are the lovebirds?” She put them on the couch and hugged Carrie.
I said, “We’re good.”
Carrie glanced at me. “What’s this?”
Isabella took out a black dress. “Mama and I were talking. You can’t start wedded life in your old jeans and worn-out clothes.”
Carrie flinched, and I massaged my temples. I’d ordered jewelry only.
Carrie turned to her sister. “I’ll never be you, Isabella.”
Isabella pulled out a pair of black heels and put them in her sister’s hand. “Of course not, but a more put-together version of you will shine brighter.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “Thank you.”
Isabella then handed her the jewelry bag. “Thank your husband for the idea. I went clothes shopping based on the jewelry he thought you would need and never buy for yourself.”
Carrie said, “Thank Mama if you see her first.”
“I will.” Isabella showed herself out.
I followed, and Carrie and I locked the door together. I asked, “Pizza?”
“Sure,” she said, but her smile was tight.
Hopefully, I hadn’t blown my chances. I served the pizza. “Since you’re free with your time, I was thinking we could start our wedding off right with a honeymoon.”
She took a seat on the counter, and her eyes brightened. “Seriously?”
We ate our pizza. As I finished my piece, I said, “As a girl, you wanted to go to Florence. Have you ever gone?”
She put her unfinished first slice down and bounced in her seat. “Florence? No. It’s been on the bucket list.”
The Dawes family name gave me access to far more than a house and some cars. I had the keys to my family’s house in Lombardy, so we could stay there for a while. I kissed her hand. “I have ten years to make up for.”
