“Not many. Over the years, I’ve kind of gotten used to it working for him. I mean, look at him. He’s gorgeous, loaded and can make most women swoon with this weird look he makes. Of course, the media loves him.”
“It’s not a weird look.”
“It is. Show her,” Isabel said, pointing to Sofia.
“I can’t just do it on command. Besides, I’ve been with you so long now, I probably don’t even remember how.”
Isabel’s features softened, and she smiled at him. “Well, he used to have a look.”
“You two are so freaking cute! When is the wedding, anyway?”
“We haven’t really worked out a date yet,” Micah said.
“That’s okay. Some people stay engaged for what feels like forever. I just thought with Luca’s wedding coming up, you guys had started planning, too.”
“You’re coming right? You should fly with us. I’m not going to lie. The whole private plane thing weirded me out at first, but it’s seriously the best part of traveling with Micah.”
“Private plane? I can’t imagine. No, I don’t think I’m going to go. Luca hasn’t... um, I’m just not sure he really wants to meet me.”
“He’s just being stubborn. Don’t let him get to you. Jenny can’t wait to meet you and I know Bella is eager to. You’ll come with us. Everything will be fine.”
Micah watched as Isabel reached a hand over to Sofia and placed it on her upper arm. She was such a kind soul and that she still planned to go with him to the wedding made him beyond happy. Bringing Sofia to ease the stress of her meeting, everyone was nothing less than he would have expected of her. Marriage, babies, all the things that had been brought up since Sofia walked in the door had his brain scrambled. It seemed like a strange course of questions, but between two women when one was supposedly engaged, he imagined it was very normal.
“Do you like Cuban food?”
“I’ve spent most of my life in Miami with a few stints in New York City. Cuban is a food group in my mind.” Sofia said with a wink.
“See, I told you there was nothing to worry about,” Micah said.
“How was I supposed to know?” Isabel’s laughter filled the kitchen and immediately he was put at ease. Her happiness was everything and over the last couple of months, he needed it more than he needed air to breathe.
“Let’s eat. I know it’s still early, but that will give us time to talk over dessert. I made flan and cannoli because I couldn’t decide.”
“Perfect.”
“If there is time before you leave, maybe we could Facetime Jenny. You will love her and I’m sure she will adore you, too.”
Micah watched as the girls moved through the kitchen, putting the final touches on dinner. Sofia insisted on helping, so he did what he could to stay out of the way and took a seat at the counter. It was like they had known each other for years. Laughing and telling stories. Most of Isabel’s were at his expense, but he didn’t care. His heart was happy. Sofia deserved more than the world had given her and his Izzy was the one who could help her transition into their family.
Everything was going perfectly as they ate until Sofia brought up the one thing he had hoped she wouldn’t.
“So how do you feel about this whole ‘Family Business’ thing of Dante’s?”
Isabel glanced in Micah’s direction. Him disclosing his family’s past was one thing they had been avoiding.
“Micah just recently told me about it all. I have to admit it was a shock when I found out, but after some thought, it is what it is. I know Micah and Luca aren’t involved in it, and that was their choice. It’s hard to fault a man you love for something his father did.”
Love. She said love. Did she mean it? He was so close to asking her if she would make this whole thing real, and then the doorbell rang. It was the second time he’d worked up the courage and was interrupted. Every day he woke up wondering if it would be the day she’d leave. There was no reason for them to still be together, other than he didn’t want her to go. He didn’t want the cold, empty life he had before she moved in with him. He couldn’t imagine himself with anyone else, but not knowing her thoughts about his family kept holding him back.
“I understand that, I guess. I’ve never been in love before, but I find it hard to even think the worst of Dante, knowing he is still running things. I’ve never had a real family before. When I dreamed of it as a kid, I never pictured it like this. I thought I’d get adopted by some perfectly blonde parents. I don’t know why they were blonde, they just were,” she laughed, “They would adopt me and we’d live in a neighborhood with one of those cul de sacs that all the kids play in. I’d have a dog and get perfect grades and live happily ever after. What I got at the age of thirty-two was a family that’s comprised a bunch of men. One who won’t talk to me, one who’s essentially a mobster, and then Micah. I’ll take them though, and all their faults, because I’m sure they have goodness in them too.”
Isabel got up from her seat and stood in front of Sofia indicating she stand up. When she stood, Isabel pulled her into a big hug. “They are good. I promise you that. And you don’t have just men, you have me, Bella and Jenny too. Don’t worry, Sofia, we’ll take care of you.”
Micah reached to rub the pain in his chest that started as Sofia was talking. The tears in both the women’s eyes solidified a bond that he would never come between. He said a silent prayer, hoping Isabel would remain in his life forever, but even if she chose not to, he would make sure she was always part of Sofia’s.