Chapter 72: Perfect Size
- DEX -
"I just came by to say hi," Luciano says, watching my brother head to his office. "This was always such a different company," he chuckles, looking around at the open space and the various unconventional things that employees are already engaged in at this time of morning. A video game is being played nearby with a few of the creative directors standing around, joking with each other. "Looks more like an adult playground."
"Yeah, it looks that way. But there are a variety of reasons for it, and everyone works better when they enjoy the job," I tell him. "I have a photoshoot to get to shortly, otherwise I’d give you a tour. How’s the family?"
"Everyone is real good, real good. Ma would love to see you. She was real worried when you left without a word. She spoke to your father a few times. Even came here once." Luciano is looking at me with that flat black gaze of his that always tends to make me a little uneasy. He doesn’t approve of how I left, obviously.
"I didn’t know that," I sigh.
My mind snaps from suspicion about Lawson arranging this little reunion to my Zia Gemma. She isn’t a true blood sister of my mother’s—her husband is my mother’s brother—but she and my mother were very close. And it brings back strong memories that I’ve fought to ignore for a long time now. It seems all of those dormant emotions are determined to resurface now that I’m home, and I’m not sure how to keep them down.
"Family is real important," Luciano remarks. "I know your father had some issues with some of the family, but that’s not everyone. I’m sure Zia Luna would not have wanted us to lose touch."
I nod solemnly, feeling that truth hit along with the guilt of avoiding everyone on that side. It was my father’s warnings and the difficulty with being around them when the culture is so thickly entangled with what made my mother... my mother. The culture, the cooking, the close family, the language. It’s why my stay in Italy was so brief when I did go there. Everywhere I turned, there was something else threatening to choke me with those difficult emotions.
"We still do Sundays if you ever want to stop by. I’m sure you miss the food at least," he chuckles and pulls his phone out to check it.
"I’ll come by sometime," I assure him, eager to remove myself from this particular delve into past memories, because it’s strong. I can almost smell the food now from Sundays when Ma and I would go visit her family. If my father was busy with work, we would always go. Days my father was free, we would do something just the three of us. But often I was playing with my cousins and eating the most delicious homemade food while the adults visited.
"I’ll tell her," Luciano says, referring to my aunt. "I know you don’t have the same number, but mine is the same." His dark eyes flicker with amusement at something, and he shakes my hand again. "See you around, Dex. And good luck with the company."
I watch him go until Jeremy approaches my side and looks at Luciano’s retreating form. "That’s one scary-looking dude," he says, and I glance at him. "Do you owe him money or something?" He jokes.
"He’s family," I tell him tightly.
Great. I’d rather not have rumors of my "scary-looking" family getting around the company and back to my father. He won’t be happy to know that one of my cousins showed up here. It doesn’t look so good–even if it is innocent.
When Jeremy makes another joke about how he didn’t know my family was in the mafia, completely unaware of how on target he is, I glare at him and stalk back to my office—mood spoiled for the morning. I was wrong... something was able to wipe the smile off my face, and it’s thanks to my brother. What a surprise.
I get back to my office where Cricket hasn’t managed to coax Grace out yet, and I walk right past them to pick up my bag and camera.
"I’ll meet everyone there," I say with a brief glance at them.
"Dex..." Grace starts to protest, and I walk right back out without waiting for the rest of what she has to say.
I’m going to need a little breather if I want to keep from killing my brother. Maybe if I can drive around and clear my head, I’ll be able to shake free of this bristling anger as well as the nostalgia that has resurfaced for my mother’s family. If only my bike was here by now. That’s exactly what I need—a good, long ride.
—————
- RAYA -
The dishes are still in the sink from last night, and despite what Dex said about not having to clean up, I do it anyway. It’s only a few dishes, and if he is planning on cooking again or bringing dinner here, I don’t want him to come home to a dirty kitchen while I’ve just been lazy and lying around all day.
When that’s done, I decide to go out and sit by the pool. The security guy comes and makes himself busy in the guest house while I watch from afar and enjoy the sun sliding its way toward the noon hour. There are drilling and working noises that bring a level of comfort for some reason–perhaps just because it means that I’m not alone.
When the work on the guest house is finally done, the security guy walks over.
"Would you like to see how to change the code?" He asks, gesturing toward the small house.
"Oh, sure." I slowly move to get up out of the chair, sore now from sitting in one position and still having not taken the meds. I just want to get better. If I have to feel the pain, then I have to feel it. It’s not terrible anyway.
"I’ve got it," Dex calls from the back door of the house, and my mouth drops open in surprise when he walks swiftly to my side. "Are you okay?" He asks, eyebrows pinched and a hand out to help me up all the way.
Maybe this is a dream after all. How did he just appear out of nowhere?
"Yes, I’m okay," I manage to say despite my shock. "Thank you."
And then he grins and shakes his head with a chuckle but says nothing more as he turns to follow the guy back to the guest house. And I just stand, watching—in complete disbelief that he has returned so soon. Did he not go to the photo shoot? It hasn’t even been three hours since he left.
When I finally decide to follow, I find the two of them staring at the door.
"Now will you be able to do this for the front house as well?" Dex asks, turning to look over his shoulder to find me standing there. He smiles warmly.
"Sure, I can do that for you, Mr. Mobius."
"Thank you, Ken. I appreciate your willingness to prioritize this." Dex shakes his hand. "I’ll show you the house."
Dex grabs my hand, and we walk back by the pool with Ken following. For a moment, I imagine that we’re the homeowners here... that Dex is my husband and we just bought a new house. A small thrill of excitement shoots through me at the brief flicker of fantasy, which is only exaggerated when Dex starts caressing the back of my hand with his thumb.
I sit on one of the couches while Dex gives Ken a tour of the house, waiting patiently for my turn to talk to him. When Ken returns to his vehicle to get the necessary equipment, I get up to find Dex in the kitchen. He smiles and draws me into his arms.
"You’re back already," I say shyly.
Why am I still shy? Because this man is beautiful, and that’s just the way he affects me. I’m not sure it will change.
"I figured one day out of the office is totally acceptable. And I wanted to make sure he does the main house. And I wanted to see you," he adds, kissing my lips briefly but even just that brings a slow burn low in my belly. "You don’t listen. I told you not to clean up."
"I..." I look at the sink while I’m still caught on the reasons why he said he’s returned. "Are you sure? The photo shoot..."
"I’m sure," he shakes his head. "By being there, I’m just playing into my brother’s game anyway. I’d rather not."
"Your brother’s game? What game is that?" I bite my lip and pull out of his arms. What other trouble is Lawson causing for him?
"It reminds me of a very desperate person on the run in movies... when they’re knocking over garbage cans and anything in the environment they can get their hands on—throwing them into their pursuer’s path to try to slow them down. I don’t think Lawson truly has a plan. He’s just hoping something is going to trip me up and cause me problems. My ex, for example."
"Oh, Lawson arranged for her to be the model?"
"I’m certain that he had something to do with it. I don’t believe in coincidences, and lately there have been too many of them. But let’s not talk about that," his eyebrows pinch. "I brought you more Melon Pan."
"What?" I groan and then laugh when he drags the bag across the counter. "You are spoiling me too much! You have to stop. I’m going to think there’s an ulterior motive."
"There is," he nods, unashamed.
"Oh?" I giggle. "What’s that?"
"Getting you to believe that you’re worth being spoiled," he grins. "And if any more of those insanely hot kisses happen like the one this morning, then that’s just a bonus for me."
"Hmmm." I hum, trying to fight a smile. "And here I thought the motive was just to lure me into your house and fatten me up like the witch in Hansel and Gretel. She keeps feeding them until they’re a nice size to eat."
"No," he chuckles with a wicked smile this time. "You’re already the perfect size to eat."
