Chapter Twenty Six

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

LEIGH

Why does it feel like I’m the villain in my own story?

This is what I wanted.

Right?

I finger the soft envelope, setting it down on the kitchen island—unopened—I pick up my phone and call Willow for the tenth time.

When she doesn’t answer, I try Indie. Only to end with the same result.

Sure, it’s three a.m. on Christmas Eve on the east coast. But don’t they know emotional panic has no time constraints, and I need them to confirm that I’m not insane? That my concerns are valid. That I didn’t go and ruin my chances for a beautiful, amazing thing because I’m freaking the fuck out.

Luca’s words haunt me.

Are you just going to live in a bubble and never let anyone love you?

Is that what I’m doing?

No.

I let people love me. Willow and Indie love me. The guys on the Renegades love me and Zach.

I can practically hear Luca’s mocking laugh. You know those aren’t the same.

Damn it.

I hate it when he’s right. Especially when he’s still wrong.

He might’ve thought he was choosing Zach and me with that stunt, but it was just a giant middle finger to his mother. What did he think? That I’d jump into his lap and say take me I’m yours because he said he wants to marry me, so Zach and I can be his family?

Maybe to other girls that would be romantic, but all I can think is, how the hell does that even work? Is wanting this enough?I’m in New York and he’s in California. He’s got a team, while I’ve got a whole philanthropy to run. Can we even make it outside the bubble of Telluride? Because that’s what this is—a bubble waiting to pop.

That’s why I need to know who Zach’s father is.

Right?

Logic has never failed me and yet that feels like the wrong answer. Not that the other guy is going to show up and be a problem. I don’t even know his last name. But should he ever show up again, or find Zach in ten years through a DNA test, will Luca be okay with sharing the role of dad? Has he even considered these kinds of things?

With his jump-without-a-parachute track record, I’m guessing that’s a hard no.

And those are just questions when it comes to Zach.

What about just normal, everyday relationship questions? Like, does he want more kids?Because I'm not sure I do. Or is he a dog person or a cat person? Because there is no way in hell I’m getting a fucking cat.

Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. When did this all get so damn complicated?

Oh, that’s right. When I decided to hate-fuck a guy against a vending machine.

The back door jiggles and opens, and while I don’t bother looking to see who it is, I pray it’s not Luca.

“You look as shitty as he does.”

Enzo.

I recognize the deep voice, the same as his twin. Except with Luca, there’s a warmth that Enzo lacks.

“Not tonight, Enzo,” I sigh, tears stinging the corners of my eyes.

I listen to his footsteps as he rounds the counter to the beverage fridge built into the island. “You sure? We could toast to my brother being an asshat.”

A sound that is more sob and less chuckle escapes me, and I glance up to see him lifting a bottle of beer in my direction.

At least it’s not tequila.

“I should go,”I whisper. I’m not entirely sure where. Zach is sleeping in the main house, but the idea of being one wall away from Luca sounds like a special brand of torture. And with the guys in the hot tub, it’s not like I can escape to the guesthouse, even just for a bit.

“Please don’t.” Enzo rounds the island, setting down a beer for each of us before sliding into the seat next to me.

My gaze narrows and I shake my head. “What is it with you Donati boys thinking you can demand things, and everyone will just fall into line?”

“You’ve met our mother.” He shrugs.

“Fucking witch.”

Enzo lifts his beer. “Amen.”

“What do you want, Enzo?”

He brings the bottle to his lips and takes a long pull before he answers. “To convince you to give my brother a chance.”

I arch a brow, and study the chaos twin in front of me, uncertain if he’s doing this for the plot or he really means it. “If only it were that simple.”

“Isn’t it?” he presses. “Anyone with two eyes can see that you guys are crazy about each other.”

“It’s been four days,” I cling to logic, knowing this couldn’t truly be what everyone sees.

“And?”

“He told your mom he’s going to marry me.”

“And maybe he will someday.”

“He can’t just go telling people that.”

“Have you met my brother?” Enzo tips his head and laughs. “On our first day of little league, he told the coach that he was going to play in the MLB one day.”

“Enzo.”

“Listen.” He spins in his chair to face me, blue eyes so similar to his brothers lock on mine. “I’m not saying he’s not a pretentious dreamer. In the span of a week, the asshole tricked you into showing up in Telluride, and thought he could go toe to toe with Isabella Donati and come out with everything he’s ever wanted. He’s delusional on his best days. But that’s why we love him. He does these things with the best intentions. He can’t help himself. He wants to see the good in people and situations. He chases it like a fucking hound chases a fox. But it’s never with the intention of eating the fox. He’d sooner snuggle the shit out of it and make it his pet.”

“And that makes me the pet?”

“No.” He takes another long drink, and I lean forward in my chair, waiting to see if he’s going to explain what the hell he means.

Enzo sets down the bottle and stands. Looking down at me, he finally puts me out of my misery. “You’re his reason. Without you, he wouldn’t have realized our family was fucked all those years ago. Without you, he wouldn’t have had the heart to allow Jack to bring us all together. And without you, he wouldn’t’ve dared to dream a family was even possible for him. So while it might seem fast for you, for Luca this has been years in the making.”

My jaw drops as he silently rounds the island and grabs another four beers from the fridge. He heads for the door but pauses just before he walks through.

“The dumbass can’t do anything without jumping in with both feet. So good luck training that out of him if you decide he’s worth it. And for the record, I hope you do. I rather enjoy being an uncle.”

I watch as he leaves, staring at the door long after he’s gone.

I’m Luca’s reason.

And he’s…

The first thought that comes to mind sends me into a fit of laughter.

He’s my wrecking ball.

Luca jumping in with both feet is probably the only reason we are where we are. He wasn’t afraid of my walls or my logic. He came at them and with love and persistence, chipping away at them swing after swing with his never ending positivity.

With this new perspective, it’s almost sweet.

Almost.

But it doesn’t completely wash away the fear coiled deep in my belly that someday he’s going to realize it could be easier with someone else.

I can’t offer him the promise of marriage someday, but maybe if he’s willing to meet me halfway and allow me to logic where he jumps, I can offer him one day—one moment—at a time.

My eyes fall on the results in front of me.

Tomorrow might just be a Merry Christmas after all.