Page 32 of A Valentine's Day Gift
Chapter Nine
Allie was in love, truly in love for the first time in her life. She never thought, as a single mom in her thirties, it would happen for her, but by some miracle, there it was. Four months of dating and she was dizzy with all that she felt for Vinny. She hadn’t told him of her love, and he hadn’t said the words either. She figured neither of them was ready to cross that line and what it meant for their future because it would be complicated. It was a matter of time, therighttime, before she took things to the next level with Vinny once she knew her boys could handle it. As it was, the boys were still giving their dad attitude, despite repeated talks from her and revoking of video game privileges (their favorite thing). William had to be the one to step up, but he didn’t want to punish them, saying they didn’t like visiting him as it was, and he didn’t want to make it worse. When her boys finally calmed down, it would mean they had accepted the divorce situation.
Another real concern, once the boys were brought into it, actually meeting Vinny as her serious boyfriend, she knew they’d blab to their dad. She worried her ex would be vindictive, making things difficult for her either with the boys or with money. It was one thing for him to date, but he’d never much liked her seeking her own happiness. Jerk.
And what would Vinny expect of her if they took things to the next level? Would he want her to move in? Take care of his kids along with hers? She wasn’t sure she was ready to be a mom to six kids.
Vinny kept inviting her and the boys to do things with his family, which was good because she knew he must be serious about her, but also bad because she had to keep turning him down. He kept it casual, low-key. Like when he invited them to join his family to see a movie or to join them for their town’s Christmas tree lighting. And then, finally, just before the New Year, she was backed into a corner. It was inevitable after four months of dating, yet it had still taken her by surprise.
She’d had a late date with Vinny the night before, paying the babysitter extra so Allie could sneak home with him for some much-needed bedroom time after his babysitter left. She’d snuck out again after, his kids none the wiser. Now it was Sunday morning; she’d slept in and felt decadent. Sleeping with Vinny was truly a piece of heaven for her. She could hear the boys loudly playing their own version of Monopoly downstairs. Her phone rang and she quickly picked up.
“Good morning,” Vinny’s deep voice crooned, sounding a little smug because last night he’d made her come undone. She’d made sounds she’d never made in her life, primal animal sounds that he covered with his kisses, and then she’d collapsed, completely boneless. It had been so hard to leave his warm bed, but her responsibilities as a mom were never far from her mind.
“Morning,” she replied cheerfully.
“I had a great time last night.”
“Me too.”
“Course, I always do with you, love.”
She smiled the biggest goofiest smile on the planet. “You’re so sweet.”
He spoke earnestly. “You know I care about you. You’re important to me.”
“Yes,” she said, suddenly wary.
“I’d really like you and your boys to come over tonight for Sunday dinner. I want my kids to get to know the woman I’m crazy about, and I want your kids to know me too. My mother-in-law would also really like to meet you.”
Her heels dug in automatically. Vinny was for her, not her boys. Besides, it had only been four months since the divorce was official and the boys weren’t ready. She spoke in a gentle tone, hoping to lessen the rejection. “I already planned dinner tonight. Their favorite—burgers.”
“No,” Vinny said.
“No?” she echoed, confused.
“Hold on.” There was a rustling sound like he’d covered the phone. He spoke in a low tone to someone, and then he was back, his voice resigned. “Allie, Loretta would like to say hello.”
And then a woman’s voice got on the phone. “Hello, I’m Loretta, Vincent’s mother-in-law.”
The woman’s tone was so authoritative Allie sat up straight in bed. “Hi, I’m Allie.”
“Allie, I’ve heard a great deal about you and know you mean a lot to Vincent, so I’d like to formally invite you and your sons to Sunday dinner at my home.”
“That’s very nice of you, but—”
“Do you deny my request?”
Allie ran a hand through her hair. “I was just telling Vinny that—”
“Do you know what I have lost?” Loretta asked quietly.
Allie stilled, her chest tightening. Loretta had lost her daughter and recently her husband. Allie could only imagine the pain the woman had been through. “Yes, I know.”
“Then you know Vinny and the boys are my world. Now you are in that world, and I would like to meet you. Is it too much to ask you to share one meal with me?”
“No, of course not.”
“Good. It’s settled. I’ll see you at five p.m. sharp.” She rattled off the address. “Hold on, I’ll get Vinny.”
