Page 114 of My Solemn Vow
“It’s not just energy,” I deadpan.
She fans herself again, wiggling in her seat. “I’m so happy for you!”
“Thanks, me too. As far as my theory on being married to some underling... I’m okay with being wrong if it means spending time with Kerrianne and Valor.”
Through the window, I see Declan walking Kerrianne down the sidewalk toward us.
She sees me and waves excitedly.
When I wave back, Leticia looks over her shoulder. “Gah, she’s so stinkin’ cute! You going to make one of those?”
“Oh, don’t you start too.” I glare at her but stand as Declan and Kerrianne come through the door. “I’m enjoying my life as is. Not thinking too much about it. Not putting any labels on it.”
I walk toward Declan and Kerrianne.
“Valor wants me to stay in the building. Not to be an intrusion, I figured I’d stay at the bar, watch the doors?” Declan offers, nodding toward the large mahogany bar at the side of the room.
“Not an issue. Put it on my tab.” I reassure him before turning to Kerrianne and offering her my hand. “Are you ready for lunch?”
Kerrianne nods, taking my hand, and looks past me. “Is that Leticia?”
I stop walking, her question sounding off. “It is. Is everything okay?”
“I really like her. She’s super cool. I didn’t know if she wouldn’t spend time with us anymore ’cause Dad doesn’t like her brother.” Kerrianne leads the way back toward our table.
“Sometimes who we’re related to doesn’t define us. I think your dad sees that Leticia is a good person, and that’s what matters. But he approved us seeing her today. Would it make you feel better if we called him?” I offer to her.
“He said she’d be here, so I know it’s safe. And Declan is right there.” Kerrianne looks back to double-check that she can still see him. “Plus, I trust you. Dad said you’re not my new mom, but he said you’ll protect me just the same. And I know that’s true because you’re already lookin’ out for my back.”
“Absolutely.” I agree. My heart flutters with the recognition.
I never want to replace the memory of her mother, but the fact that she knows she’s safe with me is more than I can ever ask for.
Kerrianne sits in the unoccupied fourth chair at the table and looks at the kids’ menu set in her place. She seems intimidated by the arguably way fancier than they need to be paper menus with full-on maps of Italy. “This place is fancy.”
“It is a little fancy. My mom used to say fancy restaurants are the world’s way of saying ‘celebrate even if it’s for something small,’” I say before leaning over to look at her menu with her. “The lasagna comes in a little dish made in your size.” I demonstrate its size with my fingers. “The edges are crispier, and they can make it with whichever type of ingredients you like. So, choices like lamb or beef or chicken, and it can have tomato sauce or more of a white sauce called béchamel.”
“My favorite is the meatball pizza, or if you’re feeling very adventurous, the porchetta sandwich,” Leticia chimes in and then hides her mouth from me with her hand. “If they let me, I order off the kids’ menu anytime I’m here.”
Kerrianne giggles at that. “What is a porchetta? It sounds funny.”
“Porchetta is pork and how they cook it to make it soft and tender,” I answer before Leticia can say how young the pig is when they cook and kill it.
God knows I don’t need to traumatize her like Uncle Eduardo did to me at her age.
“Okay.” Kerrianne nods, and our server comes by.
Kerrianne efficiently orders her beverage, and we’re given another few minutes to decide.
“Are we celebrating?” Kerrianne wrinkles her nose, her brow furrowing so much like Valor’s does. “You said your mom said celebrating, even if it’s small.”
I nod and explain. “When I was your age, my mom would take me out to a fancy restaurant. Most of the time, it was here, and we would eat lunch and then go shopping for everyone’s Christmas gifts. I could pick out a little something for everyone I loved so much. Then my dad would meet me for dinner and dessert, and then we’d go buy my mom something for Christmas.”
“Like we are today.” Kerrianne nods, clearly picking up what I’m saying.
“Exactly.” I smile.
She squints at me. “Is Dad meeting me for dinner?”
