by Kathryn Shay
Evvie just stood there, staring at her mother, her eyes filling. Mamá came closer. And closer. Without saying anything, she tugged Evvie into her arms and held her tightly. “Il piú, cara.”
And Evvie cried at the endearment—deep, wrenching sobs that wracked her body. When she finally quieted, Mamá took her hand, led her to the breakfast nook and put tea in front of her.
After a few sips, Evvie found her voice. “It’s so good to see you. But Lexy’s publishing party is weeks away.”
“I know, dear. I flew over early for you.”
“Is Papá with you?”
“No. We’d planned to arrive right before the party, and stay for a while afterward.”
“But you came for me?” At Mamá’s nod, Evvie bit her lip. “Who told you?”
“They all called. Voiced their concerns." She motioned to Evvie. “You’re thin. And...” Mamá studied her.
“Haunted?”
“Yes. Francesca and Alexandra think the man you told me about on the phone caused all this.”
Silence.
“Tell your mother.”
She shook her head. “It’s a stupid story. We had no business getting together.”
“You were conflicted about the relationship on the phone that day.”
“Yes, but I let it go further. Get serious. He was only in my life for about six weeks. Now we’re over.”
“Did he end the relationship?”
“No, I did, by telling him I was going back to Casarina to open my clinics.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No advice?”
“Not until I get the whole story. But you’re about to collapse. Let’s get you to bed, and when you wake up, we’ll talk more.”
“Thanks, Mamá.”
Like she had when Evvie was a small child, her mother took her hand and led her to the bedroom, pulled down the sheets and got a nightgown out of the drawer. When Evvie stripped off her scrubs, Renata helped her dress, eased Evvie underneath the covers, then climbed in next to her. She drew Evvie close, and began to sing an Italian lullaby.
Evvie felt herself totally relax into her mother’s arms.
Seven hours later, she found herself on another bed—at a fancy spa in Baltimore. She sighed as the masseuse worked out the weeks-long tension in her muscles.
Afterward, Mamá met her in the sitting area, wearing a simple red sundress and sandals. She was incredibly beautiful with her dark hair down, the white streak prominent. “There, now, that’s better, don’t you think?”
“Yes, Mamá.” When they left the spa, she said, “I’m hungry.”
“Good to hear that, mi figlia.”
“It’s good to feel lighter.” They stopped at The Capital Grille in downtown Baltimore, and over a steak and Caesar salad each, Mamá started what Evvie guessed was the second phase of taking care of her. The talk.
“Now, I have some questions about the ballplayer.”
“His name is Mike.”
Renata laughed. “That’s what your father calls him.”
She filled her mother in on all the painful details. How she’d given in to her feelings the night of the gala. How they had fun at a Lions game when he surprised her by coming. How he was jealous of another man and she felt bad over him paying attention to some women.
“We got so close, Mamá. Too close. When I told him I was going back to Casarina, the whole thing just...stopped.”
“Well, that’s a whirlwind story,” Renata said after Evvie finished. “I have one question.”
“Just one?”
“Why did you choose your work over this man? You’re in love with him.”
Evvie found that she couldn’t contradict her mother’s assertion that she loved Mike, though she hadn’t admitted that feeling before. “Because opening NICU clinics in Casarina has been my dream forever.”
“Dreams can change. Or be delayed.”
Goals can change.
“Women have backed themselves into corners, I think,” Mamá continued. “We have all this freedom today, but the choices we’re forced to make are hurtful.”
“I know that first-hand now.”
“For what it’s worth, darling, I believe love is more important than a career.”
At first, Evvie was shocked by her mother’s statement. She’d fought for the rights of women in Casarina for years. Then Evvie remembered something. “That’s what you did with Papá, didn’t you?”
“Yes. When I chose to marry him.”
“Did you ever regret it?”
Astonishment filled her mother’s face. “No. Oh, I had second thoughts when we argued and he behaved badly. And I almost left him after what he did with Callandra. But darling, I was given the gift of seven daughters whom I adore. And I was able to earn my degrees when you all got a little older. Ironically, establishing the Marcello schools was only possible because I married your father.”
Evvie stared down at the pink paint on her fingernails. Her mother’s sentiments made sense to her, but how could she give up all she’d ever hoped to accomplish?
* * *
“It was always so beautiful up here at this time of year.” With the vibrant green trees and hills around them, Sara made the comment in the car with Mike as they drove down from Syracuse to the place they’d grown up. Whistle Falls, New York nestled in a valley right outside the Cortland area.
“I never saw much of this part of the state.” Mike’s response was neutral.
“The guys I ran with liked to take their motorcycles up to rallies in Syracuse.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Don’t think about those times, Sara. This is a new start for both of us. Now tell me something pleasant.”
“Mikey’s become a rabid Raiders fan since I told him you and I were siblings.” Her voice was filled with affection and humor. “He records your games and keeps your stats current.”
“How cute.”
“He’s over the moon about being named after The Jag.”
“That means a lot to me.”
“I’m glad.”
“I can’t wait to meet them.” Those plans had to be delayed since his schedule was so packed with games. But they were all coming to D.C. for the Miami series and he could spend time with them then.
“You know, we never got around to talking about your love life.” Sara stared over at him. “I’ve seen some stuff online about your wild days. But what happened this summer? You’re hardly mentioned on sports gossip sites.”
He gripped the wheel. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
“Come on, Mike. Tell me a bit.”
Though he was embarrassed by how he’d messed things up with Evvie, he talked about her, at first reluctantly, then more easily. When the sign designating the exit to Whistle Falls appeared, he said, “Holy shit. We’re here already.”
“Yep, and boy do I have a good picture of Evangelina Gentileschi. Wow, you hooked up with a princess.”
“All right. All right. But don’t tell anyone that. Let’s just have a good time here.”
A crowd had already gathered two hours before the dedication of the new field. When Mike and Sara exited the car, someone approached them. “Hello, Mike. I’m Mayor Camden.”
“You can’t be. Mayor Camden was here in his fifties, fifteen years ago?”
“I’m his son.”
Nodding, Mike took Sara’s hand. “This is my sister, Sara.”
“Glad you came along, Sara.” The man’s face turned serious. “You have no idea what your camp means to the kids in our area. They’ll have instruction by pros that they could never afford otherwise. And they can use the field for more than just the week-long sessions you’ve set up.”
“Actually, I have a very intimate idea of how important this all is.” They spoke more, then Mike saw Dan Davis coming toward him. “Thank you, Mr. Mayor.”
When his business manager reached him, they hugged. “I’m so excited,” Dan said.
“I can see. W
e are, too.”
He looked at Sara.
She smiled. “I’m Mike’s sister.”
“I didn’t know he had a sister.”
“We lost track of each other.” To brush off more questions, Mike gestured to the papers Dan carried. “Did you write me a speech?”
“I did. We should go over it. Sara, you can listen to this.”
“No, I think I’ll see if I know anybody in the crowd.”
Mike squeezed her neck. “Meet me at the microphone before the ceremony starts. I want you up there with me.”
“I—”
As if she’d conjured him, a man approached her. “Sari.”
Sara’s face went white. “Tito?”
He laughed. “I go by James now. How are you?”
“Good. You?”
Mike stayed where he was in case Sara needed help with her gang-member former boyfriend.
The guy respectfully introduced himself to Mike and Dan then addressed Sara again. “After we got arrested, you knew I went to jail.”
“I did. What happened when you got out?”
“I hooked up with a rich guy inside, who was in for drug possession. But his brother had been lured into a gang and died. When we got out, we started the ball rolling for some state programs for kids susceptible to gang influence. Eventually, the idea grew into quite an organization. I run the center here in Whistle Falls.”
Mike eyes widened. “That’s great. Are there any places here for regular poor kids?”
“Yep. There’s a mall with a teen activity/after-school program and there’s the Center for Addiction in addition to the anti-gang one. Your camp will have their offices there.”
Mike was proud to be a part of concerted effort to help the kids like him and Sara in their hometown.
Sara stayed with Tito to catch up, and Mike headed out to the bleachers with Dan, smiling.
Later, when he took the microphone in front of what he guessed were most of the townspeople, he grinned at them. The expression was genuine, even though he knew that most likely among them were the kids who’d bullied him, teased him and beat him up. He decided to forget all about the boy he’d been.
Instead, today he would enjoy the man he’d become.
The day would have been perfect if Evvie was with him.
Chapter 11
Alexandra Marcello’s publishing party was held at The Cibar Lounge in Gramercy Park. The hotspot consisted of one big room, with a long bar and small seating area. Lights were dim, and people mingled around the entire space. Her whole family, including the king and queen, were in attendance.
“So,” Raven said devilishly to Lexy. Tonight, she’d assented to decorum and wore a 1920s-style black dress with red heels. “This is where it all began.”
“Not exactly, but that night was the turning point of our relationship.” Lexy smiled fondly. For the event, she wore a salmon-colored strapless dress that fell to the floor in soft waves. Diamonds glittered at her ears and neck, like some of the other princesses in attendance.
Evvie came, of course, putting up a brave front for everyone. Truth be told, she’d had to summon the energy to even get dressed in the lovely peach lace-over-crepe sheath which hugged her curves and fell just below her knees.
When she’d found out Brock Young, whom she’d dated a couple of times in the last weeks, had a stay-over flight in New York, she invited him to join them. He’d rented his own room and she was sharing one with Raven. But even his lively presence didn’t cheer her.
Lexy’s fiancé came up to them. “Hello, Renata and Alessio. I wanted to remind you there are reporters here to promote the book. They were told no interviews of the royal family, so I hope they don’t bother you.”
“We’re fine, Ryder. We know how to handle the paparazzi.” Her mother was always so gracious. And breathtaking, too, in a white dress and black heels.
“Also, waiters are passing prosecco. If you’d like something else, I can get it for you.”
The king had chastised Ryder when they met a few days ago for what had happened with Lexy. Eventually, Alessio accepted him, and now, put his hand on his future son-in-law’s shoulder. “We drink prosecco, son.”
Evvie remembered when she’d ordered that bubbly with Mike. That night had been the turning point in their relationship.
Damn it. She’d considered her mother’s advice about compromise for a long time, but still couldn’t move forward. Then Leah showed her pictures of Mike with an unidentified woman in public more than once. So he’d moved on. Most times, she admitted she needed to do the same. She couldn’t imagine intimacy with another man. She would someday, though, she vowed.
Angry at herself for thinking of him tonight, she picked up two glasses from a waiter and handed one to Brock. His lightweight gray suit accented his hair. He was tall and lean in a way Mike wasn’t. Ballplayers tended to be muscular. Brock’s sky blue eyes focused on her. “Something wrong?”
“Nope,” she said, flirting. “I’m just enjoying the view.”
A grin. “Thanks.”
Before long, Frankie and Ty arrived. Frankie’s emerald-green dress was gorgeous on her. Next, Brie and Mariella entered the lounge, as they’d driven from D.C. together. Brie wore a sea-blue sheath with a scooped neck, and Mari dressed in perfectly sensible beige attire. But the neutral color couldn’t hide her glossy hair and curvy figure. Last to enter the party were Calla and Connor. In some ways, their oldest sister outshone them all in a stunning pink and red top with white palazzo pants.
Ty was the only beau who hadn’t met the king. Evvie chuckled as he and Frankie approached Papá. “Your highness,” Ty said, “nice to meet you. I’m Tyrell Beauregard Collingsworth.”
Papá greeted Frankie’s fiancé with a deadpan expression on his face. “I understand you had to pursue Francesca for a long time.”
“Yes, sir, but she was worth it.”
A smile that transformed the king’s whole demeanor. “Right answer, my boy.”
Brock, next to Evvie, leaned over and said in her ear, “You told me you were a princess, but your father’s presence makes your royalty more real.”
“And Mamá is so regal.”
When everyone had been introduced and had drinks, they began to mingle. At one point, Evvie found herself with Lexy on the other side of the room. A man, with shoulders to die for, approached them. “Hi, Alexandra.” He smiled at Evvie. “And, oh my God, you must be her sister. You’re just as gorgeous.”
“Thank you. I’m Evangelina.”
“I’m Adam Quinn.”
“Adam has a book out in the same month as mine. And he’s a firefighter. He wrote about them.”
“America’s Bravest. Congratulations.”
Lexy smiled at Adam. “I can’t wait to read your work.”
“I’ll send you an advance copy.”
Adam chatted easily with Lexy and Evvie. He was gorgeous, but for the life of her, Evvie couldn’t make herself flirt or show interest. And not because she was with Brock, but because of The Jag, whom she couldn’t get out of her mind. Even though she saw with her own eyes that he was dating again, the knowledge hadn’t worked its way into her heart yet.
* * *
Brie smiled affectionately at her sister who was five years younger than she. Mariella was the sweetest one in the family, never giving anyone grief. Never causing trouble. Maintaining a serenity at all times. Probably because of the loss she’d suffered so early in her life, she needed a peaceful world.
Leaning into Brie, she asked, “Are you sure it’s okay if I buy the house next to you?”
“Of course. I told you that on the way down here.”
“I want to make sure. Your kidnapper owned it.”
“Think of it this way—you’ll chase away the hurtful memories.”
Though Brie wasn’t lying to her sister, she was still unnerved when she thought about Eddie Smith who’d lived next door and had been blackmailed into taking her.
“I’m so ex
cited, then.” Mari’s tone was happy. “I’ve been renting, but Lilliana wants her own home. Can’t blame her. And the house is the perfect size.” It was smaller than Brie’s, with only two bedrooms, a living area and a large kitchen. “I’m going to repaint the walls and do some stenciling, and also replace the kitchen floor so the place might be different enough.”
“I was thinking that I can babysit when you need me. I might even be home from school by the time Lilliana gets out for the day.”
“I’m not going to impose on you, Brie. Ever. Besides, she loves the after-school program at the college for the children of students and professors. She’s met a little girl named Yvette who’s from France. Lillianna’s teaching her Italian, and Yvette is teaching Lil French.”
“That’s great, Mari. Is her father a student?”
“No, a visiting professor. A famous one. He came last January and is teaching courses on international law at Georgetown. Apparently, one of his books is a Pulitzer Prize winner.”
“Wow. Are you taking any classes from him?”
“Two, actually, first semester.”
Brie slid her arm around Mari. “So, you’re doing well? You never talk about yourself.”
“I promise, Brie, I’d tell you if I wasn’t. I’ll never forget my life with Arturo, but I’m making a new one. This house is another step in that direction.”
Brie nodded. “I’m making a new one too, in many ways.”
“So we’ll do this together.”
* * *
Exhausted after another night spent in the heat and humidity of Maryland, Mike made his way to the car. Once inside, his phone buzzed.
“Hey, Mike, it’s Luke. I hear you played a great game.”
“Yeah, I haven’t seen the news. Did you?”
“A homer in the ninth.”
“Cool.”
“I came back to the hotel and caught some news here in New York. I didn’t know you and Evvie split. She fair game now?”
He was kidding about the latter, but Mike’s nerves were raw about her. “Why do you think we split?”