Chapter 7 #3
This woman was amazing. There was more than one time that I had to hurry and get my head in the game because I was watching her. Her facial expressions and hilarious Italian sayings kept me distracted. She easily became like one of us, as if she’d been in our group for years.
“You were right. We make a great team. How did you know that Miles was going to make that move?” I asked, taking a sip of my tea.
“Easy. He and Vicky have this language that I caught on to after the first game. I can read people well. Their tells are too obvious to ignore.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“You’re a shark,” I teased. It was getting hard to keep my eyes off her. Several times, one of the others caught me staring and gave me a knowing look.
Vicky must’ve heard our conversation because she interjected, “Shark is exactly how I’d describe my bestie.
She has single-handedly brought in almost a million euros to the design firm she works for in Tuscany.
Ren knows how to give challenging customers the white-glove treatment while convincing the toughest vendors to bend to her will when she really wants something.
She’s won more awards than can fit in her house, and she doesn’t back down to anyone. ”
Impressed, I said, “I think I’m getting the reason why you’re so good at this game.”
Vicky laughed and Ren shrugged her shoulders like what had been described wasn’t a big deal. When the group went back to arguing over wheat, Ren leaned into me.
“By the way. You smell nice,” she said while setting up her pieces on the board as if she hadn’t just made my heart stop. I couldn’t even answer her except to give her a wobbly smile. It wasn’t exactly flirtatious, having said it almost like a fact she didn’t bother to deny.
I guess Max with expensive cologne wasn’t so bad after all.
“Anyone want to trade? I’ve got sheep for days,” Luke said, looking over the board. “Man, we’ve got no luck tonight.” Sofia kissed him soundly, and his mood brightened quickly.
As Ren made her next move, Niko yelled, “Aw, come on. You promised you wouldn’t block me again.
” We all laughed because he hated to lose at this game.
It wasn’t easy for him to be this comfortable in a group, but they had opened their hearts and arms to Niko and me so selflessly that he was able to relax and let go.
Leyla rubbed his neck, making him smile, keeping him from getting too upset.
At midnight, we were all done. Well, everyone else was done with Ren and me dominating the board. With exaggerated high-fives and obnoxious gestures, rubbing it in our friends’ faces, we were told to get out.
“I don’t think I’ve laughed that much in months,” Ren said. “Thank you, guys, for letting me be a part of this tonight.” She was so happy that it made my heart ache. She hugged the girls as we all said our goodbyes.
“We loved having you. For the next month, no plans for game nights. It’s our son Dean’s night with his grandparents, and we’d love to spend more time with you, Ren. You’re one of us now,” Sofia said, pulling her in for another hug.
Those leaving walked out together, talking softly since it was so late. Niko and Leyla hugged me before heading to their car. Leyla leaned in and whispered, “I think you’re in trouble.” With a smirk, she led Niko away.
“I’ll be right there,” Ren said to Vicky and Miles, who happily walked down the street to their car, hand-in-hand, whispering and kissing.
“I could bring you to the cottage if you want,” I said, shuffling from side to side in the front yard.
“It’s okay. You’re picking me up after church to go to your grandmother’s. No need to make you do all that extra driving.” She seemed a bit nervous for the first time tonight. “I had a great time, Mike. I’m so happy Vicky has this, has all of you.”
“I’m the lucky one to have been accepted into their crazy clan.” Her eyes looked down, and a sad expression crossed her face. “Wish you could be here with us. All the time, I mean.”
She looked up, her eyes scanning mine. “Yeah, I do, too. I told Vicky how strange it is that I feel so at home here. It took me by surprise the first time I visited, and even though it’s only been a few days, that feeling is even stronger.”
My heart was threatening to leave my chest. “Vicky has talked to us about how much you two want to start your own firm. Could, I mean, is that a possibility?” I held my breath as I waited for her answer.
She shook her head slowly. “I can’t see how it’s possible.
When she invited me back, I looked up some information, just out of curiosity.
” She scoffed. “The immigration process, not to mention the cost of a lawyer, if needed, to help if I got that far, is brutal. Impossible.” Her last word was a mere whisper.
My brows furrowed as I tried to think what to say. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Well, of course, unless you know someone who would marry me,” she said with a laugh.
I was pretty sure I’d stopped breathing and was stunned into silence.
“Anyway, I’m heading out. I’ll be ready at 2:30 like we talked about. Looking forward to meeting your Grammy,” she said with a smile. “Ciao, Mike.”
“Night,” I mumbled, watching her walk to the car. Miles started it once she was in, and they all waved as they passed me.
My mind was still swirling around when I finally made it home. Sometime around 3 a.m., I finally drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Ren in a long, white dress.