Page 38 of Family Forever
Mitzi continued, “Cole’s a free spirit, a lot like his mom. Dylan is more like his dad was, quiet and reserved. You’ll not find more caring men than either of them. Both have turned out to be fine young men and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Marissa stopped what she was doing and caught Mitzi’s gaze. “I know. They’ve been wonderful to me, taken me into their family, no questions asked, and treat me like I belong here.”
“You do, dear. You’re a godsend to this family, especially Dylan. They needed you as much as you needed them, I'm guessing.”
The woman’s warm, sincere gaze swallowed Marissa whole. She couldn’t seem to find words.
“You know what? I think you should call me Aunt Mitzi, rather than just Mitzi.”
Tears flooded Marissa’s eyes. “I’d like that.”
“Great.”
Mitzi fed more meat into the grinder.
“So, back to my nephew.”
Marissa’s pulse raced. Where, and how far, was this conversation going to go?
“He’s going to be a tough nut to crack. He’s so cautious about every move he makes. It nearly drives me insane. I wish he’d learn to relax a little bit and enjoy life. But he’s all about work and all about making sure his brothers want for nothing, taking no time for himself.”
“Oh, you’re talking about Dylan?”
Mitzi’s hands stilled and she slid her gaze back to Marissa. “Well, which one did you think I was going to talk about?”
“Cole.”
“Why would I talk to you about Cole when you’re in love with Dylan?”
“People sometimes think Cole and I…” Marissa stopped. Her diversion plan wasn’t going to work, and why she was trying to divert Mitzi’s attention from Dylan to Cole she didn’t know anyhow. Especially, since deep down she knew the woman knew from the second she walked through the door the day before, she was in love with Dylan.
Jessica and Bianca stopped working and flew to her side.
“You’re in love with Dylan?” Bianca asked excitedly.
“Now girls, give her a little breathing room,” Mitzi instructed though she was the one who seemed to pull all the oxygen from Marissa’s lungs.
Jessica pulled the turtleneck down from over her mouth. “Do tell!”
“I am, but he’ll have no part of it,” Marissa confessed.
“I’m not surprised,” Mitzi said with a nod.
“What do you mean?” Marissa asked, desperately needing to know what his aunt meant by her statement.
“Like I said, Dylan’s cautious, and he’s got a lot on his plate. It’s no secret he took on a great deal of responsibility at far too young of an age when his parents died, and that didn’t come without sacrifices. Though he’s never once complained.”
Mitzi paused and left Marissa feeling as though Mitzi wanted her to ask. “What sacrifice are you referring to in particular?”
“Dylan was in love, or shall I say, thought he was in love with Tracy, a girl he met during his junior year of college. She wasn’t up for the challenge of taking on the role of a mother to his brothers, and she gave him an ultimatum. One in which I’m guessing she wasn’t happy with the outcome.”
“Oh no,” Marissa breathed out before placing her hand over her mouth. No one had ever made mention of Tracy before.
“What’s the matter?” Mitzi asked.
“Tracy wasn’t the only woman who gave him that ultimatum.”
“What do you mean?”
