Page 87 of Mine Again
All I sense is an invisible clock starting to tick very loudly.
Later, I sit on the wide windowsill, hugging my knees, the sea dark beyond the garden. My phone rests in my palm.
Sebastian’s text glows on the screen. His usual goodnight, telling me to dream of him.
But I’m anything but sleepy. My mind races, trying to work out how to keep Plan NUPTIAL alive despite this looming trip.
I don’t hear the knock, only the door creaking open. Mia pokes her head in.
“Are you asleep yet?” she asks quietly.
I didn’t bother turning on the light, and she must think I’ve already gone to bed.
“I’m over here,” I say, and her eyes find mine in the silver wash of moonlight.
She crosses the room to join me, hopping onto the sill and leaning against my shoulder.
“What’s keeping you up?”
I hesitate. I want to tell her. But still, I stall.
“You don’t want to go to Chicago, do you?” I ask instead.
She sighs. “Not really. But I get it. Mamma needs to move on. And I’ve been looking into what you said. About Niccolo Romero.”
“And?”
“He’s unpredictable. Ruthless. No one is safe once he sets his sights on them. And with us coming from old Mafia blood… I could see him wanting one of us to marry him or one of his men to solidify his claim onla famiglia.”
“So would you marry Maximo to avoid Niccolo or his men?”
She snorts. “Not a chance. Maximo would try to control every aspect of my life. No, thank you.”
She crosses her arms, annoyed. “Besides, he’s too old, and he’d never change. What’s that saying? You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”
She inspects her fingernails, even though it’s too dim to see.
“Other than his looks, he has nothing going for him. And I’d rather die an old spinster than marry a Mafia man. Look how that worked out for Mamma.”
“Look how it worked out for Mari,” I counter.
Not sure why, considering I’m trying to avoid the same thing.
“Well, Mateo is no longer in the Mafia, is he?” she shoots back, flashing a triumphant smile.
I just shake my head.
“But talking about me wasn’t why I came.” Her tone softens. “I’ve seen you sneaking out a few times.”
My cheeks warm, and I glance away, trying to hide my guilty expression.
Mia chuckles. “Yeah, don’t think I didn’t notice. That and you’re spending an awful lot of time on your phone.” She pointedly stares at the device in my hand. “And I bet you’re not trading crypto.”
“Shh.” I tap my finger against my lips. “Remember, no one knows about that.”
“So who are you on the phone with?”
“Promise not to tell anyone.”
