Four Week Fiance(12)
“If he’s the one for you, he will already know. If he’s not, it doesn’t even matter.”
“How did you know that Nonna was the one?” I asked softly as I headed to one of the wooden chaises and sat down.
“You know this story.” My nonno’s voice became sentimental. “I’ve been telling you the story since you were a little girl.”
“Tell me again,” I said and I leaned back and hugged myself as the cool wind hit my face. I looked out at the big, dark lake and then looked up at the night sky and the thousands of shining stars.
“I was working for my uncle who owned a bakery,” he said, his voice still sentimental. “I used to deliver the bread to all the people in my village. It was a lot of people.”
“I know, Nonno.” I laughed. “You were a very hardworking young man.”
“And there was one lady—she was the most beautiful girl in the village.”
“Aunty Maria.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Every boy in the village wanted a kiss from Maria. Every boy, but me.”
“Because you were so focused on your job delivering bread.”
“I was focused,” he said seriously. “And I was saving up for a new bike. Even little boys in Italy wanted fancy, shiny bikes.”
“But then you saw Nonna.”
“Yes, then I saw your Nonna,” he said, his voice full of love. “She was throwing a rock down the street.” He laughed. “And it hit my bag and a loaf of bread fell into the street.”
“And you were so mad.”
“I was so mad until I saw her face and then she put her hands on her hips and she told me that I should be more careful where I was riding.”
“And you told her she should be more careful with her girl throws.”
“Yes,” he laughed. “Who told me to say that? She then threw another rock and it hit my bike. I jumped off of my bike and walked over to her.”
“And she asked you if you were going to give her a free loaf of bread to say sorry.”
“And I did.” He laughed. “I was only fourteen and she was only thirteen, but I knew, I knew as sure as I knew I had two arms and two legs, that your darling Nonna was going to be my wife.”
“And she knew right away as well.” I sighed as I looked up at the sky. “I miss her.”
“So do I,” he said, his voice gruff. “Every single day.”
“You know what my favorite memory is?” I said softly. “Do you remember that Christmas when TJ came to stay with us and you and Nonna took us out for hot chocolate and Cody was being a spoilt brat and didn’t go because he wanted ice cream?”
“Of course.”
“Nonna told me she saw you and her in me and TJ,” I said softly. “I thought that was a sign that we were meant to be. Nonna knew from the beginning that I had a thing for him and it wasn’t awkward talking about it because you two fell in love at such a young age.”
“It was a different time, Mila.”
“Yeah, I know. Sometimes I wish it wasn’t.” I sighed. “I hate that he brought that girl, Barbie. I don’t even know what he sees in her.”
“He’s still young, Mila. Men these days don’t settle down young. Look at Cody.”
“I don’t know what Cody’s problem is.” I sighed. “You know Sally has the hots for him. I don’t know how to tell her that he’s nothing but a player.”
“It’s not up to you to get into your brother’s business.”
“But Sally’s my best friend.”
“Even more reason why you shouldn’t get involved.”
“I feel like a bad person.”
“Love isn’t easy, Mila. It’s not all flowers and candy.”
“I know that, Nonno.”
“Sometimes I wonder if you do.” His voice was gentle. “Just because you’re feeling jealous doesn’t mean you get all depressed and lonely.”
“I’m not depressed and lonely,” I said and sighed. “I mean, I’m not lonely because I’m jealous,” I lied. “Okay, maybe a bit, but I can’t help it. I had so many plans for this weekend.”
“Life doesn’t go according to plans.”
“I thought we were fated for each other. Now I wonder if I should give Milo a second chance.”
“He’s a good boy.”
“He’s not the boy, though.”
“Mi cara,” he said with a sigh. “You haven’t even given him a chance.”
“Do you think Nonna is looking over us?” I said softly. “Do you think she’ll give me a sign if I should just give up on TJ?”
“She’s always with you. Just as I will always be.”
“Don’t say that, Nonno. You’re not going anywhere.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” I said and then froze as I heard footsteps. “Hold on, Nonno,” I whispered. “I think someone is coming.”
“Mila, where are you? You’re not in your room?” Nonno’s voice sounded alarmed and I bit my lower lip to stop from screaming as I heard a branch snapping. My heart was racing and I sat there in fear, waiting to see who was coming. “Mila?” Nonno’s voice rose.
“Nonno, I’m here,” I whispered into the phone, covering the mouthpiece with my hand as I looked back and forth in the night sky. It was so dark that I couldn’t really see anything and that made it even worse.
“Why are you whispering?” he said. “What is going on?”
“Nonno, I...” I said and my heart stopped as I felt something on my back. “Arrrgghhh. Arrggh!” I screamed and jumped off, dropping my phone on the ground as I started to run.
“Mila, stop.” TJ’s smooth voice sounded amused as he called out to me and I stopped running, my heart dropping with embarrassment as my face heated up.
“TJ?” I said and I turned around to look back at him. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“I didn’t mean to.” He still sounded amused, though I couldn’t make his face out clearly to see the expression in his eyes.
“Uh huh,” I said and looked on the ground for my phone. “Nonno,” I said as I grabbed the phone up, “are you still there?”
“Mila!” He sounded stern. “You scared me. What is going on? Should I come up and—”
“No, Nonno,” I said, feeling guilty. “It was TJ. He snuck up behind me.”
“Your TJ.” He sounded happy.
“Nonno, you know that isn’t true,” I said, making sure I didn’t say anything that would make TJ suspicious. “I’ll call you later, okay?”
“Yes,” he said softly. “See? You are not alone, Mila. Not now. Not ever. You’ll always have TJ.”
“I wish.” I sighed and hung up the phone and then jumped as I saw TJ in front of me. “How are you so stealthy?” I groaned. “I didn’t even see you walking towards me.”
“You were too busy on the phone,” he said, his eyes peering down at me. His skin seemed to radiate warmth in the moonlight and I longed to reach up, grab his hair and pull him down to kiss me.
“Yeah, I was.”
“Who were you talking to?” he asked, his tone slightly rough. “Troy?”
“No, I was talking to Nonno,” I said and tried not to roll my eyes as he brought up Troy. I wished I’d never mentioned him now. It seemed to me that he wasn’t going to let it go. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say about ‘the breakup’ that wouldn’t make me look like a loser or a liar.
“Good,” he said softly and then was quiet. We stood there standing next to each other and were quiet as we stared out at the lake. It was eerily quiet now and I tried to concentrate on the reflection of the moon in the water instead of the feel of TJ’s arm as it rubbed against me gently.
“What are you thinking?” he said softly after a few minutes and I looked over at him. His eyes were bright and curious, and I wondered what he was thinking as we stood there together.
“How strong you look,” I said stupidly as I stared at his muscles.
“Thanks for the compliment.” He grinned. “That’s a first.”
“And a last.” I laughed.
“Do you know why I’m strong, Mila?”
“No?” I shook my head, not sure where he was going.
“I’m strong so I can carry my lady from my car to the bed. I’m strong so that I can protect her when she’s scared, keep her warm when she’s cold, love her when she’s sad, and fuck her when she’s horny.” He grinned at my gasp and then flexed his bicep muscles at me. “These guns are about more than looks, Mila. These muscles are to keep my woman happy. These muscles are so I can hold her up when her legs are wrapped around me and her back’s against the wall. These muscles are to keep her up when I’m sliding into her with such force that she doesn’t think she can stay upright by herself anymore.”
“You’re gross,” I said, my face flushing at his words. All I could think about was what it would feel like to have him pushing me back against the wall and touching me, sliding into me. Ugh, I didn’t want to have these feelings.