“I’m here. No getting rid of me now.”
She grinned.
“I have a surprise for you.”
“I smell something amazing.”
After she removed her scarf, he helped her out of her coat.
“How’d you do today?” he asked.
She caressed his back. “First, you. Tell me about Angelo’s family. It must’ve been rough. How are you doing?”
To her surprise, he pulled her into his arms and held her. “You’re amazing.”
“Why?”
“You ask about me,” he said.
She smiled. “Of course. I care about you.”
“It was bad, even for me. I’ve been asking myself if my choices got him killed.” He paused, his gaze searching hers. “I don’t know.”
“Gabriel—”
“I should have sent him back to Italy.”
“It’s always easy to look back and make a different choice, but that will only make you feel worse. How can I help you through this?”
“You would be smart to break things off with me. I’m filled with rage, the need to avenge Angelo consumes me.”
She held him, ran her hands over his back. “I’m not smart because I’m not ending anything with you.” After several seconds, she peered into his eyes. “I’m here for you. I mean that.”
“Thank you.” He put his arm around her, brought her into the small kitchen. “I made us chicken parm.”
“Mygod, you are perfect.” She fished her phone from her bag. “Is it ready?”
“Almost.”
“I need to text my brother.”
He stirred the sauce in the pot, held out a taste. She tried it. “That’s fantastic.” She glanced around for a jar. “Which brand it is?”
His eyebrows jutted into his forehead “Brand? I made it.”
She eyed the pasta sauce simmering in the pot before regarding him. “I’m impressed.”
“Elsa taught me. I think she did it to keep me from hanging with my father. I spent a lot of time with him.”
“A mafiosoanda cook.” She smiled. “And you’ve fallen in love with a spy.”
“Who said I was in love.”
She kissed him. “You did. And I am, so you have to be.”
He laughed. She was grateful she could bring him a few seconds of lightness in such a dark time.
“I’m going to take the clip out of my hair.”