“I don’t expect it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want it.” Hurt filled her eyes. His own tears stung. “Just a chance. That’s all I ask.”
Way too long. She would have answered if she could. He dropped his chin. “Yeah, well…”
“What were those rules again?”
He cocked his gaze up, unsure what he’d see. “Neck rubs?”
She wasn’t showing anything. “I need them.”
He swallowed the tears. “Hugs.”
“Couldn’t hurt.”
Oh, but it could. Just the thought of drawing her close was turning his insides out. But he did it anyway. “You remember the rest.”
“I’m not sure I do.” She raised her chin.
He leaned in, but a woman approached them from the drive and cleared her throat.
Rese pulled back. “Oh … Michelle.” It was the brown-haired woman from Evvy’s funeral.
“Sorry to interrupt.” She directed that to him.
“No problem.” But the anticipation of that kiss must be almost visible.
“We were packing up Evvy’s things and found this.” She held up a book with a notepaper stuck to the front. “I’m guessing you’re Lance?”
He stared at the book, at his name on the sticky note and Antonia’s diary written beneath. As the dried leather slid into his palms a peace settled over him. Nonna had refused to tell him more. He wouldn’t read her diary without permission, but if he brought it to her, maybe…
He closed his eyes and told the woman, “Thank you.” And he didn’t mean just her. Grazie Signore.
Michelle turned with a raising of her brows and walked away. Lance tucked the diary under his arm and drew Rese close with the other. “Where were we?”
She smiled. “You were going to cook a marvelous dinner.”
He laughed, letting the anticipation settle deeper. A little restraint might not be a bad thing. “Want to help?”
“Of course.”
His heart surged. He was no hero, but it seemed he’d get another chance. If God was for him, and Rese beside him, he just might get it right.
Watch for the sequel to Secrets
Unforgotten returns with Lance and Rese to the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx where Nonna Antonia hopes to find peace. Instead she learns that what she thought she knew was only a shadow of the truth. Not only has the past not disappeared, but it has affected their future in a real and painful way. Is forgiveness possible, and can it heal the wounds that time has not forgotten?
Secrets Page 49