Chapter Forty-Five

Knox

I’d never experienced a Fourth of July like this in my life. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever experienced any holiday like this in my life. And I meant that in a good way. The best way.

Being here with Bianca and her family was so much fun. I actually felt lucky.

Until I heard Angelo had arrived.

Then my heart leapt into my throat. I really feared we’d have a fireworks display long before nightfall once he saw me, but we hadn’t run into each other yet.

Bianca hopped up on the kitchen counter while I went to the fridge in search of water bottles. When I found them, I tossed one to Bianca and undid the cap on mine. I leaned against the stove, but she wagged a finger for me to come closer.

I wet my lips. She should only know how badly I wanted to follow that finger and stand in the middle of her legs. “Sweetness, if I come over there, we both know what’s going to happen. And if we were anywhere but here, in a house filled with your family—including your father and a minor, I might add—I’d say abso-fucking-lutely, but no way!”

I didn’t like denying Bianca, but she wasn’t kidding when she said she had a mad sex drive. I believed her exact words had been I’m like a man in that way, I prefer to lead a healthy sex life . There was nothing manly about her, but I understood what she meant, just the same. Fortunately, I had no problem keeping up with her.

She turned her bottom lip downward in an adorable pout and proceeded to give me the biggest eyes in the world—puppy dog eyes. “Please. I promise not to bite.”

I don’t make the same promise. I came closer like she wanted. “Fine, but you better be on your best behavior.”

“Absolutely.” She saluted me. “Scout’s honor.” Not really what scouts do, but okay.

Leaning my hand on the counter she was sitting on, I faced her. “You were never a girl scout were you?”

She gave me a weak smile and proceeded to chuckle. “Nope, but it’s the best I’ve got besides a pinky promise.” She held out her pinky and it took everything in me not to take it in my mouth and suck on it like it was the last lollipop in the world and sucking on it would give me eternal youth or something. “Isabella says they’re the real deal. What do you say?” She pushed her pinky finger toward me.

I wrapped my pinky around hers and shook it. Then I brought it to my lips and kissed it to really seal the deal. “Now it’s the real deal.”

She looked at me through those thick lashes of hers I loved. “Really? The kiss made it that way?”

Geez, I didn’t think there’d be a time in this lifetime (or any lifetime for that matter) when I didn’t want to taste her sweet lips, to feel her in my arms. Remember when I’d said once I tasted her, I’d always need more, that one taste would never be enough? Yeah, well, I was right. So right, in fact, it wasn’t even funny.

“Of course.” Maybe the kiss wasn’t necessary, but I’d take any chance I could get to put my lips on her. “On another note, last night I rolled over and noticed you had the light on and were sketching.”

She lowered her head, a small smile creeping across her lips. I didn’t think I had ever seen Bianca look like that before, like she was unsure. And I had to say, I didn’t like it. I much rather preferred the confident, sexy Bianca. You know, the one who had no problem demanding I give her exactly what she needed.

“Oops. Sorry about that,” Bianca said, brushing a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “Sometimes inspiration strikes at night and I try to go with it. But I don’t mean to wake you or keep you up. I didn’t do either, did I?”

I furrowed my brows and shook my head. “No. And don’t apologize. I want you to sketch as much as possible. That way you can come out with your debut collection sooner.”

Bianca was seriously talented, and her debut collection was going to be a knockout, just like her. No doubt in my mind, she’d be showing at bridal fashion weeks around the globe soon, maybe even have her own flagship store one day.

“Yeah, about that. . . I’ve been doing a ton of research and it’s not easy becoming a wedding dress designer. And there’s really no guarantee I’m going to make it. I could do all of this and nothing, squat. It could all be for nada.” She sounded so unsure, I wished I could make it better, give her a guarantee.

Instead, I gave her the best I had—“I don’t believe that for one second. You’re going to excel at it, just like you do with everything you do. When you put your mind to something, Bianca Morelli, you are unstoppable.” I grinned and placed my thumb on her chin.

Her eyes met mine, and I knew immediately that she was back. Sometimes my girl needed a little encouragement, but she needed to remember that she could do this. She could have the whole world if she put her mind to it. If you asked me, she deserved nothing less.

“You think so?” she questioned, her eyes filled with emotion, but most important, hope.

“I know so.”

“What if it doesn’t work out? I’ll be a failure.”

Never. “Nah, you’ll be a success because you tried, which is more than I can say for most people. Don’t just have a dream, sweetness. Have it and make it come true.” I leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss. “If no one sees your talent because you’re afraid you’ll fail, then you will have failed.”

Her eyes were sparkling now as they searched mine. “How is it you always know just what to say?”

“I don’t, but it’s easy with you because I have all the faith that you’re going to take this world by storm. Heck, in some ways you already have.”

“I love you, Knox Rhodes.”

“And I love you, sweetness.”

Never in a million years would I have thought I’d get this lucky.

To have a beautiful, smart, funny woman love me—every single piece of me—to not judge me for my past but try to make me see that it wasn’t a tragedy, but a part of my journey to get me here—to this very moment. To feel like I belonged, like I was part of a family.

I’d never felt a part of my own family, but this one (with the exception of Angelo) had made me feel welcome.

I didn’t think life could get much better than this.

* * *

Angelo

I wasn’t sure how long I was standing here, but I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off of Bianca and Knox.

I couldn’t exactly hear what they were talking about, but they were clearly deep in conversation about something. I feared if I could hear, I’d regret listening in, so I didn’t move from the bottom step.

They were alone in the kitchen, but for as zeroed in on each other as they were, I wasn’t sure it’d make a difference if anyone was around. In some ways, it was the same intensity I’d had with Regina when she was alive. God, how I missed her, rest her soul.

I knew one thing for certain: I didn’t think I’d ever seen my daughter look so happy, so relaxed with a man. She wasn’t working hard to keep his attention or flirting like she used to do. No, she was just Bianca. The same Bianca I knew, the same Bianca I saw with her sisters or Dom.

I wondered if that had always been the case and I’d just been too dense to see it.

Maybe Angelina was right, maybe Bianca was happy and I’d just refused to acknowledge it.

Oh, no. I shook my head. There was no maybe about it. Angelina was right.

It seemed I wouldn’t be having a hamburger or hot dog tonight. Crow was on the menu for me. A hearty helping of it.

* * *

Knox

“. . . So I think the hot dog was what really what put Knox over the edge and made him realize it was me, and I was the right choice all along.” Bianca finished telling the story of her having her first hot dog, but left out some parts (okay, a lot of parts) because Isabella was standing beside Maria listening. We’d call the story Bianca just told the censored version.

Isabella’s eyes lit up and her jaw practically hit the floor. “Wowww,” she cried. “Aunt Bibi that’s so romantic.”

Something told me anything to a five year old’s ears sounded romantic, especially when Bianca put a nice little bow on it and said that was how we got together. It wasn’t the hot dog we owed credit to, but I knew what Bianca was saying. Truth was, I think maybe I’d always known it was Bianca and was just too stupid to see it sooner. Or afraid.

Definitely afraid.

Bianca always gave me a pass when I was stupid, said it wasn’t my fault, it was just because males were given more stupid cells when they were born. My girl certainly had a way with words.

Bianca bent down in front of Isabella and tapped her nose. “The most romantic. Knox is quite the catch.”

“Is he your very own prince?” Isabella asked, her eyes larger than life.

Bianca got up and smiled, looking at me as she answered, “You betcha.”

I put my arm over her shoulder and pulled her toward me, kissing the top of her head. “What about you, Isabella? Your uncle Dom tells us you have a friend named John.”

Isabella gagged, sticking her tongue out and placing her finger in her mouth. Clearly the idea of John being her prince made her sick. “John is my toothless friend! Ew, that’s gross.”

I chuckled, putting my hands up. “Noted.”

Maria and Bianca joined in, laughing, too.

“What’s got you all in stitches?” Dom asked, coming up to us.

“Uncle Dom!” Isabella yelled, moving toward him.

Dom didn’t wait another second before bending down and scooping her up with one arm. “How’s my Peanut doing?”

“I’m good,” she said against his cheek and rested her head on his, the smile she wore never once leaving her face.

Maria watched, a smile on her face. “How’s the grilling coming along?” Maria asked Dom.

Dom put Isabella down as he answered Maria. “Had to teach the newbies what was up.” He winked. “I’m only kidding. Frankie and Brady are naturals.” Then he pointed at me. “You were working the grill one minute and then poof, it was the Great Disappearing Act of Knox.”

I shrugged my shoulders. ”I missed Bianca. I always miss Bianca when we’re not together. I can say it isn’t so, but I’d be lying.”

Isabella sighed sweetly and we all looked at her. Then she tugged on Dom’s pants and he leaned down to give her his hand. She took it in hers, the size difference undeniable. “Can I go inside for something?”

Dom nodded. “Sure, Peanut. I’ll go with you.”

“Okay,” she said, bouncing in a way that made her hair—that was in a knot at the top of her head—flop every which way.

When Dom and Isabella were out of earshot, Bianca gushed, “She is so cute.”

“So you say,” Maria responded, chuckling.

Bianca eyed Maria and then looked at me. “Am I wrong? Come on, Knox. She’s adorable, isn’t she? I could watch her all day.”

“Oh, no!” Allie said, coming up to us, a dish in her hands. “I was going to bring this to the table, but couldn’t help but overhear.”

I raised a brow and waited for Allie to elaborate. What? What was the oh, no for? Was I missing something? Bianca was right—Isabella was a cute kid.

Finally Allie put me out of my misery by saying, “You’ve got baby fever, Bibi.”

Bianca brushed off Allie’s comment, though, waving a hand in front of her. “That’s ridiculous.”

I moved my hand to the small of her back and nudged her slightly. “It’s okay if it’s true. I want kids, too, you know?”

Bianca swallowed, her eyes growing wide as she looked at all of us watching her. “No. It’s not true. I do not have baby fever. Now practicing making babies is something I could get on board with. But having babies and being. . . being a. . . a mom? No. No thank you, I’m not ready for that.”

What was she saying? She would be a great mom. I shook my head. “I disagree. I think you are going to earn that World’s Greatest Mom mug.” But Bianca was visibly concerned, so I added, “One day.”

“Relax,” Maria tried helping. “He’s not knocking you up right now.”

“Yeah, but it’s also okay that you’re thinking about it,” Allie consoled. “I think about having a baby sometimes. What it would be like. Mostly how terrifying it’d be. I blame Maria.”

Bianca cleared her throat and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, Maria’s Maria, so it makes sense, but me? No, not yet. So, enough talk about babies. It’s making me want to keep my legs closed.”

“Well, we can’t have that,” I replied. Then I pointed to the dish filled with hamburger buns that Allie was supposed to be carrying over. “Should we go to the tables?”

Bianca’s stomach growled as though on command. She placed a hand over her belly and chuckled. “Seems like my stomach agrees with you. I’m starving.”

I pulled out Bianca’s chair for her when we got to the table and sat down next to her. Angelo joined us last, a smile on his face as he observed everyone.

Originally when Angelo got here, I thought I was going to be torn limb from limb, but that wasn’t the case. And now, even more to my surprise, Angelo did this: “ Mi famiglia. All in one place. I’m luckier than I know.” He pulled the chair out at the head of the table and continued to stand, leaning over to grab his glass.

“Aw, Dad!” Perla gushed. “You never get mushy.”

“Yeah, what gives?” Maria asked.

Angelo’s eyes fell on me, only it wasn’t the usual icy glare. This one was. . . unfamiliar, almost friendly. Like for the first time he didn’t want to sell my organs on the black market. Kidding. Maybe, possibly. Okay, definitely.

Bianca ran a hand up and down my arm, as though afraid where this was going since his eyes were traveling from me to Bianca and back again.

Angelo cleared his throat and in his gravelly voice exclaimed, “I’d like to make a toast. To family and friends. But I’d also like to make a toast to Bianca and Knox. A father never likes to admit when he‘s wrong, but I fear, in this case, that’s exactly what I have to do. I’ve been watching the two of you since I got here, and I was wrong. So very wrong. I was wrong to have forbidden you two from being together in the first place. You have to understand, though, I thought I was doing right by you, Bianca, my baby girl. I wanted to keep you wrapped up in this cocoon I didn’t even know I had built around you. I see now that Knox isn’t someone I should’ve been pushing you away from. Frankly, knowing the other men you’ve been with, I should’ve been pushing you right in his arms.”

A round of laughter filled the air and her sisters started joking about Bianca being Angelo’s favorite.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine today going this way. I did not think that Angelo was going to make such a public declaration. Honestly? I thought we’d ignore each other, leave the Hamptons, and go back to the way things had been before.

But Angelo went on—“I apologize, Knox, for treating you the way I have. And the things I’ve called you. Prove me wrong and take care of Bianca, you hear me? Or else.”

And there it was, that feeling of my insides shriveling up, the same as I’d felt when we’d first met.

But seriously, he should only know I’d never let anyone get close enough to even touch a hair on Bianca’s head, let alone hurt her. I’d sooner commit a crime to protect her. If you ever doubted how much I cared for Bianca, hopefully that cleared things up for you.

She was my personal kingdom.

To Angelo, I merely replied, “Always.”

I heard sniffling in the corner and turned to see Bianca dabbing her eyes with a napkin. “I love you, Daddy,” she said.

Her sisters gagged, but I grinned because I knew how much this meant to Bianca.

“To family and friends,” Angelo repeated, and we all raised our glasses. Everyone shouted “ Salud! ” and this time I did, too.

After the toast, Angelo started making his way to us and Bianca got up, meeting him halfway, wrapping her arms around him. “Oh, Daddy, thank you.”

He nodded, rubbing her back and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek as they broke apart. “You’re welcome, baby girl. I should’ve never been so against it in the first place. You’ve chosen well. Your mother would be very proud.”

Bianca’s smile went from ear to ear. “I can’t believe just observing us helped you figure that out.”

I stood, walking the short distance to them. “What are you doing, Bianca? He just said he approved, don’t poke the bear.”

Angelo harrumphed. “I just hope you can accept my apology,” he directed to me.

I nodded. “No apology necessary. You were looking out for your daughter. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same if I were in your shoes.”

He laughed, a deep, throaty laugh that felt like it could shake the ground. I looked down to check. Nope, we’re all good. The ground’s not shaking. “Son, you can’t fit in my shoes.”

Bianca and I laughed. Had Angelo Morelli just cracked a joke? With me?

Holy shit, Angelo Morelli hadn’t just laughed at something I’d said, but he’d just cracked a joke with me .

Had hell frozen over?

“Hey, Dad,” Allie called, waving her hand to get his attention on the other side of the table. “Come here.”

“Coming.” With a wink at me and a head nod at Bianca, he was gone.

“Aunt Bibi, Aunt Bibi!”

I whipped my head around and watched as Isabella ran toward us, a piece of paper in her hand. “I made you something.”

Bianca’s eyes widened. “You did?” she asked animatedly. She was so good around her niece.

Isabella nodded, extending her hand with the paper toward Bianca. “Mmhmm.” Isabella could hardly contain her excitement. As Bianca looked at the drawing, I peered over her shoulder and—

“It’s a hot dog!” Isabella blurted out. “For you and Knox.”

Bianca and I both looked at each other and tried to contain our laughter. Isabella’s hot dog drawing had two big eyes and a smile.

“We love it,” Bianca said. “Right, Knox?”

I nodded and winked at the little girl. “Absolutely. Artist Isabella.”

Isabella gasped. “Oooh, I like that.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, hardly able to stand how cute she was. And how she drew us a picture—of a hot dog.

Isabella nodded. “Yeah, but I can’t be an artist.”

I cocked a brow. “Why not?”

“Because I’m going to be a model like my uncle Dom.”

Bianca giggled and tapped the top of her head. “You sure are, Peanut.”

* * *

Bianca

“The fireworks are about to start,” Perla said as she walked in and sat down at the kitchen counter. “What’s up, Allie?”

I looked at Allie, who only shrugged. “No idea. Maria asked me to come in and bring you.”

“Dad asked me to come in,” I added, not that I had any more information to offer. And oddly enough, neither Dad nor Maria were here. In fact, I hadn’t seen either of them for a while. “Where are they?”

“Who?” Dad asked as he stepped in, Maria’s arm linked through his like they were up to something.

Allie leaned against the counter. “You guys, what’s up? Why are we in here when the fireworks are about to start out there?”

“Yeah, Frankie’s outside waiting for me,” Perla said.

“ Basta! ” He said as Maria set out five cordial glasses and went in the liqueur cabinet. “Those boys of yours can wait.”

“But—” Perla shut up when Dad gave her a look.

“This family has been through enough. I’ve been through enough and I’ve made some mistakes. Now I want some time with my girls. Some time to do my old ticker good and create new memories to erase all the bad ones from this year,” he explained, patting his chest.

I didn’t say a word, I knew what he was referring to. I also didn’t want to dwell on things. I was considering it a miracle that it was all finally over and we could move on. To bigger and better, as they say.

Maria poured limoncello in everyone’s glass. “I’m glad we’re doing this,” she expressed.

“Me, too,” I admitted and reached for Daddy’s hand, squeezing it. He only winked at me, but it was enough. I knew we were good and I was so happy to finally be able to share a space with him again without wanting to pull my hair out.

He reached for his glass first and waited for us to pick up ours. “ Salud. ”

We sipped.

The sweet, citrusy drink burned as it went down—definitely not my favorite. “Thank you,” I finally said what needed to be said. “Thank you,” I repeated, looking at my sisters, “for being there for me.” Then I turned to Dad and smiled. “And thank you for finally seeing Knox for who he is—a good man.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Sure. A good American man.”

My sisters and I laughed in unison. Of course he’d say that.

Then, he went on, saying, “I, too, am glad you girls were there for your sister. You watched out for her and protected her in a way I couldn’t. Your mother and I were always glad you have each other.”

The four of us locked arms and put our heads together. It was true, they were my ride or dies and I couldn’t imagine my life without them.

“I just don’t understand why you couldn’t be more like Perla and find a nice, Italian boy. You had to meet an American,” he said with just a hint of disgust.

I swallowed a laugh. Leave it to Dad to ruin a perfectly nice moment.

“Ugh,” Allie groaned. “Dad!” She spoke on behalf of us all if I was being honest.

He put his hands up in the air. “No, I’m not forbidding it, I’m just saying.”

I let out the laugh I was holding in. “You know we are American, right?”

“Technically, we’re Italian-American,” he returned. “It’s different.”

And this time we all laughed.

Perla shot her arm out and reached for Dad’s hand. “Whatever. He wants you to be like me. I heard it. I’m his favorite. Here I always thought it was you, Bibi, but obviously I’m the model daughter, thus the favorite.”

He raised an eyebrow and took a step back. “I don’t have a favorite.”

That’s what he said, but I have a feeling that’s a lie—I’m his favorite. That’ll just be our little secret, though.

His eyes met mine over the counter and he smiled at me. See, I’m right.

“Anyway, as I was saying,” he continued, “Italian-American also works just fine. If you don’t want to take Perla and Frankie for example, then just look at Maria and Dom.”

Okay, where was the old man going with this?

Not that I believed we’d ever find out, because then Maria got her feathers up—“There is no Maria and Dom. In fact, I’m actually dating Pedro now.”

“Pedro? Who the hell is Pedro?” Dad asked, his eyebrows shooting up so fast and high they practically hit his hairline.

“You know the new pizzeria across from the gym, Dad? That’s his—Pedro’s Pizzeria.”

Maria was not really selling it. Even I angled my head to the side.

I knew she was dating, but I didn’t know she’d moved on to Pedro. Apparently Pedro of Pedro’s Pizzeria. Dad would definitely have a hard time with this one. Thank heavens it wasn’t me this time.

As if reading even my mind, he spoke slowly and enunciated each word as he asked, “He’s a Mexican who owns a pizzeria?” When Maria didn’t answer, he continued, “What does he know about pizza? What’s the matter with this family?” Then he slapped his forehead, sighed, and picked up his glass for another sip.

Maria hopped up on a bar stool. “Relax, it’s not serious. Not yet anyway.”

I’d sworn all eyes were on her until Dad said, “Not ever. You and Dom—now that’s going to happen.”

“Dad!” Maria whined like Isabella did.

“It is. We all know it,” he returned.

Man, he was so sure on this one. I wondered what he knew that I didn’t.

“Didn’t you have something you wanted to say to Bibi?” Maria asked and deflected his attention back on me.

I almost groaned out of fear over what he’d say, but he didn’t make me wait long to find out. He quickly cleared his throat and announced without preamble, “You can have your job back, Bianca.”

Woah! I had not see that one coming. How was I supposed to tell my family I didn’t want to go back to the magazine, my family’s magazine—our legacy—but instead I was going to pursue my lifelong dream?

Oh, that was right, I wasn’t. At least not yet. Hey, not everything needed to happen right now, okay?

I rolled my lips and finally responded, “Um, thanks, but I think I’ll pass. Knox is heading to Paris for Haute Couture and I’m going with him. It’s where it all started for us, so it feels right.”

Yeah, focus on the short-term, that’s the way to do this.

Meanwhile, I was smiling just thinking about being back in Paris with Knox. This time, I wouldn’t have to resist wanting him or fight another woman for him. Or look over my shoulder or stress out about my father possibly finding out about us. In short, it was going to be even better than before. And the first time was pretty darn amazing.

Dad nodded. “I won’t push, but it’s yours if you change your mind.”

I was about to thank him for the offer, but just then Knox opened the back door and popped that gorgeous head of his inside. “Hey, sorry to interrupt, but the fireworks are starting and I was hoping to watch them with Bianca.”

Looking from my dreamy man to my father, I waited for permission to leave.

With a final sip of his limoncello, Daddy shooed us all away. “Go! All of you! Thank you for indulging me.”

Reaching the door first, I took Knox’s hand in mine and looked up at him. “Let’s go watch some fireworks.”

Bending down, Knox kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “Then what do you say we go make some of our own?”