page18 (1/2)

The bag of to sound The container of ha noise

‘Are you all right?’ Mattia asked as he bent down to pick up the items

No Not at all ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ Don’t answer that Because he’d probably be an expert atas well, and boy, was her ret

He watched her as he moved to the counter to place the now bruised tomatoes on a dish ‘We’re all set for lunch My parents are looking forward toyou’

I bet they are ‘I’ forward to it’ In a way it was true It was another step closer to resolving everything—one way or another

Then Mattia asked, ‘What’s your fa someone else’s child?’

‘They’ve been nothing but supportive’

‘Would they be happy if you moved to Italy? Permanently’

He didn’t need to add that last word She got hisin spades ‘My parents will back whatever decision I make’

‘We make, Elene We’

‘You’re right I keep wondering e’re going to get around to talking about the crux of the e, she watched hile his way out of that

‘We’reto know each other in a stronger, ton when I was involved with your friend Introducing you and Aiise, but there’re no ground rules to follow here’

That apology showed how hard Mattia orking with her She nodded ‘It’s okay I’m nervous, that’s all How did they take the news they have another grandchild?’

‘Surprisingly well But then I thinkyou can’t have four boys and not get a few knocks along the way’

‘Lucky you, having brothers My sisters are both louder andthan me’

‘Trust me, brothers can be a pain too’

Which brought her back to reality ‘We still have a lot to learn about each other’ She’d be gone in a couple of weeks

Mattia laughed ‘By this tiined And probably more than I want you to find out’

‘So they’re not going to hogtie me and snatch Ai prudent

‘That’s what’s putting that frown on your brow’ Mattia crossed and laid a hand on her arrill you, throw you out the door or remove Aimee from your arms’ The eyes locked on her were almost black with intensity ‘I won’t let that happen’

Knock me down Mattia would stick by her, support and look out for her They had coh it was in his nature to look out for others, she sensed he was more involved with her, with the need to care for her A ainst his beloved fa for all her life Her father had set the bench Mattia was beginning to understand her better than she could have iined

‘I don’t intend co between you and your family’ She drew a shaky breath ‘But thank you It means a lot that you’d stick up for me’

He scowled ‘Why wouldn’t I?’ He was studying her, that intensity ra ain’

She sed, staring at him ‘I know that’

When she tried to ently held her in place ‘What Craig did—is that why you were so against ht I’d hurt her badly Like you’ve been’