Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
I find Nonna in the kitchen as usual, baking to her heart’s content.
“Gabriela,” she calls out when she sees me, gesturing me over. “I made your favorite. Try one.”
I can’t resist her Amarena cherry thumbprint cookies. They really are my favorite. I take one from the tray before Nonna thinks better of it and grabs a plate, loading it up.
“You can share with the girls.”
“Thank you, Nonna.”
“I’m making you a special birthday dinner tonight. All of your favorites.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.” I smile at her. “Do you need any help?”
“Nonsense.” She waves it off. “This is what I like.”
Beppe pokes his head out of his tote to say hello, and Nonna gives him a pat on the head.
“The girls are in the theater room,” she tells me. “Go and enjoy.”
I thank her again and make my way to the marble staircase that leads to the second floor.
While the lower level of the home has the primary shared living spaces like the lounge, the dining room, the ballroom, and the gentleman’s den, the upper level of the central gathering space is taken up by the spa, a library, and a theater room.
The Vitale home is massive, with room for each sibling to grow their own families in their respective wings. And if that weren’t enough, there are also cottages and additional living spaces on the property for guests.
Tonight, I’ll be staying in Mariella’s wing. Now that Abella and Valentina’s father is gone, Val has taken up residence there, too.
When I reach the theater room, I can hear laughter inside, and I open the door to find the girls sprawled out on various theater seats.
“Hey.” Abella waves me in. “Come get cozy. We’re watching cheesy Christmas movies.”
“Already?” I raise my brows.
“Well, it’s November,” Val points out. “Speaking of, we need to start planning some shopping dates.”
“True,” Abella says, tapping Antonella on the nose. “My list of people to shop for gets longer every year.”
“Anyone want cookies?” I ask, holding out the plate before I sit down.
“Ooh, Nonna made your favorite.” Mariella reaches out, grabs the plate, and takes a cookie before passing it down to the others.
I settle into the empty theater seat next to her and remove Beppe from his tote. Abella tosses me an extra throw blanket, and I get comfy, making sure Beppe is nice and toasty.
“The guys are still busy,” Abella tells me. “So they probably won’t be back for dinner. But I was thinking maybe we could do a spa night.”
“That sounds fun.”
She nods, and we all focus on the movie for a few minutes before Mariella groans.
“I can’t believe you’re making me watch this. It’s so unrealistic.”
“Are you telling me you don’t believe a big city executive could get stranded in a small town and discover the joy of Christmas?” Val teases.
“I prefer to remain a cynic.” Mariella smirks.
We spend the next hour adding our commentary about the movie, until Abella leaves to change Antonella and Val ventures off for snacks.
After they’re gone, Mariella glances over and laughs when she sees Beppe sprawled across my chest, snoring without a care in the world.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dog more devoted to a human.”
“He really is the sweetest boy.” I stroke his fur. “I’m so glad you found him for me.”
A flicker of guilt shadows her face as I praise her.
“I can’t take credit for that,” she confesses. “The only thing I did was set up your referral to the psychologist.”
“What do you mean?” I frown. “You got Beppe for me.”
She worries her lip between her teeth for a second before she sighs. “Can you keep a secret if I tell you?”
“Of course.”
“It was Romeo’s idea.”
My heart feels like it drops out of my chest as I try to make sense of that, but I can’t.
“I don’t understand.”
“He thought an ESA would be good for you,” Mariella explains. “He was the one who found Beppe. He even kept him in his wing for three months so he could train him before I gave him to you.”
“But why would he do that?” I choke out. “He barely even talked to me back then.”
“Just because he wasn’t talking to you doesn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention.” Mariella offers me a gentle smile. “Romeo observes everything and misses nothing.”
I blink rapidly, trying to dispel the surge of emotion behind my eyes.
“Shit, Gabi.” Mariella winces. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’ve just been really emotional lately. Can you give me a few minutes? I just need to go to the bathroom.”
She nods in understanding, not pushing me to explain further.
“I’ll be here when you get back.”
I scoop Beppe up and carry him down the hall to the library. I don’t really need to use the bathroom, but I do need to cry in peace.