Page 88 of Mine Again
“Scout’s honor.” She raises two fingers as if she is swearing an oath.
“You’ve never been in the Scouts.”
“Mafia princess’s honor?”
Hmm. “Yeah, that will do.”
Mia leans forward, resting her chin on her knees, watching me with that unblinking curiosity she always has when she senses something big.
“Well?” she prompts.
I hesitate, then let the words slip out in a rush.
“SebastianMoretti.”
Mia blinks. “Who’s that? Should I know him?”
I shake my head. My pulse quickens, but saying it aloud feels right.
“He’s not in the Mafia. That’s what I want, Mia. I want out too.”
Understanding dawns on her face.
“Not a bad plan. Marry a civilian. Why haven’t I thought of that? Where did you find him?”
“I ran into him on my birthday on the way back from the restrooms at the restaurant. Then, by pure chance, he was at the same café as me just before Christmas.”
I leave out the whole Andrea dating disappointment. The last thing I need is one of Mia’s nosy inquisitions.
“I remember you with a hot guy before the kitchen fire. That was him?” She fans herself, making me giggle.
“Yeah, he’s hot. And he’s got the most intense blue eyes.”
“So you’ve been seeing him all that time?” She sounds offended I’m only telling her now.
“No. He gave me his card that second time, but I only got in touch with him a couple of weeks ago.”
Mia seems placated by that, her eyes lighting up again.
“What’s he like?”
“He’s the most direct man I’ve ever met. But he’s respectful. Kind. And most importantly, he doesn’t want a fling. He’s the heir to a family business investing in real estate and needs to settle down soon.”
“Hmm. Sounds like it could be mutually beneficial.” Mia tilts her head. “Do you love him?”
“What? No.” My laugh is small, and my stomach knots. “Mia, it’s been two weeks. Nobody falls in love that quickly.”
“Don Gualtiero did. And Mateo too, once Mari was on his radar.”
“Yeah, well. They’re the exception. I like Sebastian. Being with him is…” I search for the word. “It’s easy.”
“Could you love him one day? Because I don’t want to see you unhappy in your marriage, Isa. We’ve had enough of that in our family already.”
The question makes me pause. I remind myself, yet again, that Lucais gone. At some point, I have to move on. It might as well be now.
“Yes, I think I could grow to love him.”
She studies me. The moonlight softens her face.
