Chapter 3
three
. . .
Miles
“That’s the last one,” I said triumphantly as I broke down the cardboard box for recycling. Looking around our new house in Coronado, I let out a dramatic sigh.
I would’ve loved living in downtown San Diego near my office, but I knew MJ wanted to live near the beach and Coronado was as close as I could get to both and still be in the area of the school I wanted her to attend and my office.
It was considered an island but was really a peninsula about a half hour from San Diego.
“How many books do you own, dude?” Luke asked, dramatically dropping a big box of them at my feet.
After Katy officially moved out after the divorce, Mom came up to Crescent to help with MJ.
A month later, on the night she left to go back home, I found a book she’d been reading.
It was a true story that helped take my mind off the fact that my life had just imploded.
After that, I was hooked, and books became my escape every night when MJ went to bed.
“I’m never moving again,” MJ muttered as she lay on the wooden floor in the living room.
My mouth inched up into a lopsided smile as I took her in.
She might have been exhausted from unboxing and setting up, but she had a smile on her face.
I knew this was the right decision. I had my doubts as I navigated the move of my business from NorCal, but watching her giggle with my parents made it all worthwhile.
“Me either,” Luke said as he handed Sofia more dishes to load into the dishwasher. My attempt to convince her that they went in the box clean and were covered in bubble wrap had been met with a wrinkled nose.
“Pizza or burgers?” I yelled to everyone.
A loud call for pizza echoed through the house.
While placing our order with a local pizzeria that claimed its water was shipped from New York, I flopped onto our sofa.
We had brought it from our last house, but as I looked around, it didn’t quite fit the new one.
Our condo in Crescent City was older but still nice.
But this house boasted coastal elegance, and my aging cloth sofa felt out of place.
The previous homeowners were from South America and, as the realtor said, loved color. MJ and I didn’t mind the bright colors, but once we got settled, I planned to find someone to repaint some of the rooms in a more subdued tone.
Sofia pressed the dishwasher buttons and joined me in the living room. Looking around at the bright yellow walls, she jokingly said, “You might need some help here, Miles.”
Chuckling, I answered, “Yeah, was just thinking about that.” I ran my hand through my hair, realizing I needed a haircut soon—another task to add to my growing to-do list. Mom had graciously brought over some groceries to get us started, so that was one less thing to worry about this week.
“It’s a beautiful house, though. Still don’t understand why you didn’t just accept Luke's offer to take over the cottage next to us,” she said, turning on the sofa to look at me.
“You know why, Sof. He wasn’t going to let me buy it. Didn’t even want me to pay rent.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You know how he is. Wants to take care of everyone.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m fine. More than fine. He can’t get past some of my harder financial years earlier on, especially after the divorce, but I keep threatening to send him my bank statement so he’ll chill out,” I grumbled. “He’s the little brother, not me.”
Pushing my shoulder playfully, she answered, “He’s just so excited to have you back in town, is all. Having you both next door would’ve been fun.”
Nodding, I said, “I know, I know, but you guys will be splitting your time between here and Positano. This place is closer to Mom and Dad.”
“That’s right,” Mom said, joining us with a wad of packing tape in hand and a huge smile on her face as she looked at her granddaughter. “I can’t wait to spoil both my grandkids. Having you all so close…” she said, tearing up, “is an answer to prayer.”
“Aw, honey, we talked about this. No more tears,” Dad said as he wrapped her in his arms.
“I’m just glad I have so many people to spoil me rotten.
I’m glad I still have the rest of the summer to enjoy it,” MJ replied, still sprawled out on the floor like a starfish.
Luke emerged from the bedroom and pretended to tackle her, causing her to squeal.
Conversation flowed back and forth as I looked around, happy to see MJ so content.
“Daddy, does Mom know our new address?”
The simple question triggered a silent but powerful reaction in my body. MJ and I often talked about Katy, especially after her phone or video calls. I had long since given up on urging Katy to call more than she did. But there was always collateral damage afterward.
Mom and Luke met my eyes with the same expression they always had when her name was brought up in their company. A mixture of pity and anger.
“She does, kiddo. I let her know before we left. She said she’d call soon. Probably waiting until we settle in.”
That was my primary job when it came to my ex-wife: making excuses so MJ didn’t keep feeling disappointment when her mother’s calls were few and far between.
Also, my role was to deflect. However, the fatigue from the move and everything at work drained my energy.
My eyes begged my mother for help, and she quickly understood.
“Hey, Miles, what are you thinking about for décor? You didn’t bring much.” Mom sat in the chair that had been with me since college. It may have seen better days. “Do you have some ideas?”
“Not a clue. And definitely not a priority right now. MJ and I just need a new sofa, maybe new beds, and a TV, and we’re good to go. When things calm down, I’ll get us what we need.”
“Are we going to have to eat a burrito for breakfast still?” my sweet daughter complained, dodging Luke’s attempts to tickle her.
Once again, I had succeeded in taking the attention off the ever-present disappointment that shone in my daughter’s eyes where her mother was concerned. My heart broke for her.
Sofia sat upright like a spring next to me, jostling me out of my growing funk.
“Oh my gosh, how could I have forgotten? I know exactly who would do a great job. She just landed her first design job here in San Diego and will be here in a few weeks. I’ve seen her portfolio. Girl’s got talent,” she said excitedly.
“Oh, yeah, Miles will be so excited to hear about this,” Luke said with a smirk, halting his battle with MJ. I had no idea what that exchange was about, but before I could ask, the doorbell rang.
“Wow, that was fast,” I said, pushing off the sofa and stretching my back as I stood.
Grabbing my wallet from the kitchen counter to give the driver a tip, I walked to the door. “So, who are you guys talking about?” I called out behind me.
Just as I was about two feet from the door, Luke answered. “She’s talking about Vicky. Enzo’s sister.” My feet tangled up mid-step, and I tripped, falling into the door with a thud.
“Miles, are you alright?” Mom called out. Luke snickered, and I scowled.
“Fine,” I mumbled, opening the door with sweaty hands. The delivery person had backed away from the door. Smart move.
“Hey, man, thanks. Here you go,” I said, handing a twenty to the grateful college kid with AirPods in. He took the money with a nod and held out the boxes, still keeping his distance. Closing the door, I walked to the kitchen counter and slid the four boxes onto it.
“Daddy, you sure you’re okay?” MJ asked. She had jumped up either to check on me or grab pizza. When she flung the first box open with widened eyes, I guessed pizza was her real concern.
“Yeah, sure. Just tripped on the thing there.” I pointed to the non-existent “thing” with my head.
Luke sidled up next to me with a wide grin that made me want to push him into the ocean. “I see the lovely Vicky still makes you a teeny tiny bit nervous,” he whispered.
I pushed him hard, and he stumbled across the kitchen with a cackle.
“Boys, I’ve told you to be a good example for MJ,” Mom scolded as she entered the kitchen, Dad right behind her, covering his grin.
“Yes, ma’am,” we recited simultaneously, just like we had hundreds of times since childhood.
“So, how did Vicky land the design job here?” Mom asked, grabbing a paper plate and a piece of vegetable pizza.
“She applied to an Italian firm here, and out of hundreds of applicants in Italy, she got it. She’s over the moon excited. Her mom and Enzo, not so much,” Sofia said, filling glasses with ice.
“Where’s she going to live?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant about it, even though my stomach was in knots. I had no idea how I was going to eat.
Victoria Lazzara.
Luke and I crashed her brother’s wedding in Positano about nine months ago, because he’d gone to declare his love to Sofia. I took one look at Vicky and nearly tripped over my feet. Apparently, that was the ongoing effect this woman had on me.
She had been dressed in a silky, coral-and-pale-blue wrap dress.
All my mind could conjure up was that she was a mermaid straight out of my dreams. The dress was tied high up on her shapely body, accentuating her curves.
Her brown, wavy hair moved in the breeze, the smell of jasmine and musk enveloping my senses when she stood near me.
Our eyes met briefly while I was dancing with MJ, but later, when the conversation at the table turned to her recent college graduation, I knew this could go no further.
Not to mention, Enzo growled at me when he caught me staring at her.
I’m fairly certain that any boxing skills I possessed wouldn’t have helped me once I found out he was an ex-professional boxer.
Luke had said that Mom identified Sofia as his childhood love when she mentioned that her Nonna had named her after the actress Sophia Loren. My sister-in-law was a beautiful woman, but Vicky…Vicky would outshine Ms. Loren any day.
Her olive-complexioned skin, wide, almost amber eyes, and full, dark pink lips. They haunted my thoughts when I allowed myself that luxury.
I knew I had no chance with her since she was so much younger but it didn’t stop me from hoping to see her at Luke and Sofia’s wedding near where Vicky lived in Rome. But I was told her mother had gotten sick with a virus, so I hid my disappointment.
Luke had picked up on my attraction at Enzo’s wedding and still teased me mercilessly.
Everyone in our friend group called her Enzo’s little sister, but that’s not how I saw her at all.
Yes, she was a lot younger than me, but she wasn’t exactly a little girl.
Her eyes held a strength despite her young age.
There was a timeless feel about her, and what I’d heard from Sofia was that she was very mature for her age.
Something unknown drew me to her. I had tried all this time to put her out of my mind, but it was like denying myself the beauty of nature.
“Miles, Mi-les,” Luke sang, waving to get my attention. Looking around the room at the amused faces of my family, I blushed crimson. “I was telling you before you floated away in space that Vicky’s firm has given her a place downtown so she can walk to work.”
“Well, that’s only for the first three months.
After that, she will need to find a place.
That’s her trial period, but the hassle they had to go through to get her a temporary work visa, well, I don’t see them doing that and then letting her go so quickly.
Although she will have to make the cut, so to speak,” Sofia said, taking her pizza to the table with the others.
“Oh, so it’s only temporary?” I asked, still not making eye contact with anyone.
“It is, but it’s a major design firm that has connections here and in Italy.
Like Sofia said, I don’t think it will be a problem for her to stay if she proves herself, and, of course, wants to,” Luke answered, after inhaling his first piece of meat lover’s pizza.
He made me crazy, but it was so refreshing to see my younger brother, after reuniting with Sofia, move away from his strict rules about food, work, and life.
“So, maybe she can redecorate your house.” Sofia delivered this idea with the innocent eyes of a doe. I, on the other hand, started choking.
MJ slapped my back a few times until the tears stopped.
“Daddy, you’re a mess tonight.”
“Your dad is having trouble with his motor skills, MJ. Wonder what’s wrong?” Luke said with a goofy smirk. This was clearly payback as I’d done something similar to him with Sofia when she hated his guts in the beginning of their relationship.
“What’s going on?” Mom asked, looking at us like we were crazy.
“Nothing,” I answered, glaring at my brother, who shook his head and turned away.
“I don’t need her help, Sofia. I’ll just go to a furniture store and have someone there help me pick out some stuff.”
“But it would give her an advantage to have a client ask for her specifically. Think of the impression that would make on her new boss,” Sofia crooned. “A job for a wealthy tech owner would look amazing on her resume, don’t you think?”
I side-eyed her and mumbled, “I thought I was destitute and hopeless a few minutes ago.”
“I have no idea what you’re all talking about tonight,” Mom said, irritated at our secondary conversation. “But you will call Vicky this week and have her come and take a look at this house. If it’ll help her, it’s a done deal. She’s family now.”
I groaned at the word ‘family.’ That was not how I felt about Vicky. At all.
“She’ll be like the sister we never had,” Luke said with puppy-dog eyes. I kicked him under the table. He grunted but kept eating.
My mother had the tenacity of a pit bull when she wanted her way; there was no chance I could oppose her.
“Yes, ma’am,” I answered, sighing as I threw down my half-eaten pizza, no longer hungry.
In a matter of days, Vicky, the woman who had made me feel things I hadn’t felt in years, would be in my new home.
I had no chance of surviving this.