20. Talia
twenty
Talia
I’m halfway down the stairs when I hear my mom shouting from the door. “Lia, there’s a package for you!”
“I didn’t order anything,” I holler. Hustling down the steps, I enter the bustling kitchen.
Every female Romero is in the house for my last night of vacation. Mamma and Zia Rose called in every available server and line cook to cover Belladonna for the night, so that we could have a girls’ night.
My cousin Sofia, pops up from under the counter, pulling out from the oven a loaf of freshly baked garlic focaccia bread. My mouth waters. Her homemade bread is my favorite. I hope this means Zia made her famous eggplant parmesan and Mamma made the arancini with the hot cherry peppers that I love.
Mamma points to the small white box on the table. “It has your name on it. See for yourself.”
A small unassuming box is lying on the set table, waiting for me. I lift it up and search for a return address but can’t find one. A courier must have delivered because there isn’t a shipping label on the box.
My heart rate spikes, and my teeth tug at my lip as I hold the box between my sweaty palms. Would Cam send something here? No. No way. He wouldn’t chance it. Right ?
Sofia walks over and hands me a steak knife. “What are you waiting for? Open it.”
I cut the tape seal and open the flaps. Nestled inside is a black velvet case with my name on it. I pull it out and lift the lid to find an expensive titanium stethoscope in white and rose gold. Beautifully engraved around the top bell of the chest piece is Talia Romero, DPN in script.
This is definitely from Cam. Only he would send me something as thoughtful as a new stethoscope. I knew he supported me, but this is … more.
I fight the tears clouding my vision.
“Oh, look. There’s a note.” My cousin Valentina snatches the card I didn’t notice lying in the velvet box and reads it aloud. “‘Talia. Good luck on your first day. You are going to be amazing. BG.’ Cute.”
Val hands me the card and pours herself a glass of red wine, as well as the rest of the glasses on the table.
“Wow, this is gorgeous.” Mamma takes the instrument from my hand and inspects it. “Who’s BG?”
“A friend,” I tell her, clearing the emotion from my throat. I hate lying to my mom, but she would flip. Not that I blame her. The history between Cam and Nico is tumultuous at best.
She hums, eyes drilling holes into the side of my head. She doesn’t press for more information before heading back into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
My fingers pick at the sides of the card as I read the note again.
Fourteen words. That’s all it takes to make my insides melt and the butterflies in my stomach take flight. He went out of his way, in the middle of his road trip, to send me an incredibly thoughtful gift. This means more to me than he will ever know.
“You look happy.” Sofia takes the seat next to me as Mamma, Valentina, and Zia Rose bring the dishes to the table.
The aroma of all my favorite foods fills my heart with love. Like the thoughtful gift Cam sent me .
“Is this from…”
I glance towards the kitchen as my other cousin Isabella walks in, keeping the two nosiest women in my life occupied. “Yes.”
“Did you two…” She shoves her index finger through the hole of her other fist.
“Sof,” I hiss at her. “Knock it off before someone sees you.” I grab her hands and hide them under the table. “No. We didn’t do that.”
“Then why did he send you a present?”
“I don’t know,” I mumble as I pick up my glass of wine and take a huge swallow.
“You are such a crap liar, Lia. What’s going on?” Sofia hisses.
I shrug, avoiding her gaze. She’s going to yell at me. “We kind of … hit it off.”
“Hit it off? What does that mean?”
I can’t stop my cheeks from flushing as I finally look her in the eye.
Her eyes widen, and her jaw falls open as what I’m saying falls into place. “No.” Grabbing my arm, Sofia tugs me up from my seat, making it scrape across the tile floor.
“Where are you two going?” Zia Rose asks. She has her eyes narrowed in on me as she places a steaming dish on the table in front of us.
“Umm.” I swallow around the lump in my throat, trying to think of something to say.
Sofia jumps in to save me. Thank God, because I really am crap at lying. “I just wanted to show Lia those new jeans I bought. We’ll be right back, Ma.”
Zia Rose’s head tilts to the side as her eyes bounce between the two of us before giving us the look—the one that says she knows we are bullshitting. “Better hurry before your mom sees, Lia.”
Busted. My aunt is no fool. And neither is Mom.
Sofia drags me from the kitchen to the small bathroom down the hall .
“Ow, Sof. Chill.”
She shakes her head, pulling me into the bathroom and slamming the door before reprimanding me. “Are you freaking crazy?”
Yes. Absolutely crazy. “What do you want me to say? It happened.”
“What happened? Please, help me understand.”
I think for a minute. While I don’t really want to tell anyone, I also need someone to be on my side. The burden of carrying this secret has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I don’t stray from the line. I’m the perfect one. This is the first time I’m putting everyone else’s feelings aside and selfishly following my heart.
I start at the beginning and tell Sofia everything that happened while I was in Arizona. Well, not everything. Some things are just for me and Cam. But I give her the clean version of our hot tub meetings and the sneaking out to be together.
“This is so much worse. I said bang him, not fall for him. Nico is going to lose his shit.” Cupping her cheeks, she shakes her head in disbelief.
My heart deflates. I knew this was going to be hard, but I didn’t comprehend how much it would hurt. “You don’t think I know that?”
“I don’t know what you were thinking. You have a death wish. I mean, I get it—he’s hot. But come on. The guy is a player. Haven’t you heard a word your brother has said about him? He’s—”
“No. Don’t say another word. You don’t know him. Nico doesn’t know him either. Cam is nothing like that.”
Sofia rears back, face falling as I reel into her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.” I tug at my braid, my frustration boiling over as I pace the bathroom. “I’m tired of hearing the same stuff about Cam. He’s not perfect. He has a history. Who doesn’t? But he’s more than he lets everyone see. He’s a good man, Sof. Like, down-to-his-soul good. Sweet, funny, and thoughtful. I need you to trust me when I say Nico is wrong about him. This is the first time I’m doing something everyone is going to disapprove of, but I need you to be in my corner. Please?” I plead, taking her hands in mine and squeezing.
Sofia’s caramel eyes search mine for a beat before she nods. “Okay.”
“Really?”
She pulls me in for a bear hug. “Yes. You are the smartest person in this family. If you feel down to your soul that he is a good guy and not what Nico says, then I believe you. You have the biggest heart. You would never let some jerk into it.”
I hug my cousin as tight as I can, grateful for her trust in me. “Thank you. I swear it.” Breaking our hug, I pull my phone out of my pocket and wiggle it at her. I’ve been dying to text Cam since I opened the gift he sent. “You go out first. I need another minute.”
“Gotcha. But don’t take too long. The others are probably already suspicious.”
The way my aunt stared at me before, she’s definitely suspicious.
“You’re right. I’ll make it quick.”
Hand on the door, Sofia stops and turns to me. “Lia, I hope it works out for you. For what it’s worth, I’ve noticed how happy you’ve been lately, and I have a feeling it’s because of him.” She slips out of the powder room door before I can respond.
I am happy. I’m finally living. There is someone out there who wants me.
Locking the door, I pull up Cam’s messages and send him a new one.
Itty Bitty: Thank you so much for the new stethoscope. I love it.
I’m about to shove my phone in my pocket when it buzzes in my hand. My heart skips a beat, and the butterflies soar.
Big Guy: You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it. I was afraid you were going to be mad at me.
Itty Bitty: Why would I be mad at you?
Big Guy: Because you told me not to buy you stuff.
I sigh at his text. I did tell him that, but something like this is different. I will use a stethoscope every day. Bonus, I’ll be carrying a little piece of him with me when we can’t be together. That thought gives me a warm high.
Itty Bitty: I did. But this was sweet. And practical.
Itty Bitty: Wait? How much was this?
Big Guy: Look at that… I gotta go. I’ll be home in a few days. I can’t wait to see you on our dinner date.
Itty Bitty: Avoider.
Big Guy: ;)
Grinning at my phone like a loon, I’m startled out of my Cam bubble when my mom knocks on the door. “Dinner’s ready, Lia.”
“Be right out,” I shout. Sticking my phone in my back pocket, I flush the toilet, wash my hands, and take a deep breath before opening the door. I’m prepared to find my mom standing in the hallway waiting for me.
“Are you okay?” She inspects me from head to toe before putting the back of her hand on my forehead, taking my temperature.
Circling her wrist with my fingers, I pry her hand away. “I’m fine, Mamma.”
My assurance doesn’t stop her from fussing.
“I promise.”
“Fine.” She drops her hands to her waist. With one hip popped, she stares me down with her charcoal-gray eyes. She didn’t buy my “friend” story for one second either.
I force myself to stand tall against her superhuman mom vision. I don’t enjoy keeping the truth from her—it hurts me to my core. We don’t keep things from each other, but this is different. I need more time to figure out what Cam and I are. Time to figure out my feelings.
I almost crack and tell her what’s going on when she sighs, giving in.
“Let’s go eat.”
“Thank you.” I don’t have to tell her why; she understands.
A soft smile lifts her lips. “You’re welcome. I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”
“I know.” Draping my arm over her shoulders, I kiss her cheek. “I love you.”
Guiding us back to the chaos ensuing in the kitchen, she wraps her arm around my waist. “I love you too, mia bella .”
Zia Rose winks at me as we take our seats at the table.
These women are incapable of missing a thing when it comes to their girls. I wouldn’t want it any other way. But times are changing, and it’s time I gain some space.
I wink back at her as she plates the eggplant .
We all get lost in the conversation, and the rest of the night flies by in a fit of laughter, too many glasses of wine, the hottest restaurant gossip, and so much love.