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"That’s Lexi, Mamma She’s my… friend?" The word "friend" was said as more a question than a statement, yet butterflies fluttered insomeone, and I saw her downstairs She walked back up with me"

"Vieni… qua, mia cara…" Mrs Carillo said to me, and I looked to Austin for translation

Austin stood and walked towardat the end of his Mahtly du, I entered the roo a quiet laugh beside me, I looked up at Austin, and he flicked his chin toward hismy head, I walked to the top of the bed, to behold a wolossy black hair down her back, the most beautiful olive skin, and eyes the color of cinna

"Lexi, very nice… to meet… you," Mrs Carillo said softly in a heavily accented Italian voice, pausing betords I could see it was a struggle for her to speak I felt so sorry for her

"Nice to meet you too, ma’am"

"Chiara," she pushed

I srave; bella," she said to Austin, who had moved to the other side of the bed, and she let out a wheezy laugh "Un… piccolo folletto oscuro…"

Austin smirked at his mamma and looked uponmy eyes, I asked, "What?"

Austin shook his head and hid his grin with his hand

Facing ain, Mrs Carillo asked, "You know… li hters mentioned; that was clear to see

"Yes, ma’am I’aht side of her face lifted She was still one of the ht loss of muscle control "Ah, the football I a, Mrs Carillo tried to move her position on the bed, and Austin juhtly onto her side