Chapter Thiry-Six
Mia opted to ride the bike with Aurelio, accepting his helmet as he promised Melvin he would go slow. She laughed at that but was surprised when he actually did. Aurelio took his time, adhering to the speed limit and exercising extra caution. Disappointment washed over her, ready to spill as they pulled into the alley next to the building, where the bug was already parked and her brothers waited upstairs.
“Why would you go so slow?” she pouted.
“Because Mel asked me to,” Aurelio replied, taking the helmet from her and entwining his fingers with hers. “And I didn’t have a helmet. I very much want to live a long life with you.” Mia couldn’t help but smile.
“Fine, but you owe me some speed.” She followed him into the building. The rest of the night dragged on; the boys played while Mia took a shower, and halfway through, Aurelio decided to join her. She thanked him for the dress with a kiss on her knees, which he greatly appreciated. When they emerged, dressed for bed, the boys were winding down. Everyone said their good nights and settled in for the night.
Saturday passed in a blur, with Aurelio and the boys heading out to pick up his tuxedo. Mia took the opportunity for some self-care—she did a face mask, painted her nails, and shaved. When they returned for lunch, she had ordered Chinese, which arrived just before they did. Aurelio refused to let her see the tux, but she sensed something was up when each of them walked in carrying a garment bag.
“Guys, for real,” she said, rolling her eyes. “If you look better than me, I will kill all of you.” They spent the afternoon cleaning the apartment, preparing for graduation tomorrow, knowing her brothers would leave in two days. She didn’t want to think about it, yet her mind kept wandering back to their invitation. After they enjoyed leftovers for dinner, Mia pulled Aurelio aside.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said. “What’s up?”
“Can we talk?” she asked, and his expression shifted to seriousness.
“Of course.” She nodded and led him toward the door. “We’ll be back,” she called over her shoulder, her brothers waving goodbye.
She guided Aurelio down the stairs into the empty café. They found a booth, and Aurelio ordered them each a coffee.
“Late for coffee,” she remarked, and he smiled.
“Not if we think of a good way to burn off the extra energy.” He winked at her, and she felt herself slipping into a flirty mood. Shaking her head, she refocused on the conversation they needed to have.
“Aurelio,” she sighed.
“Beautiful,” he responded, “what’s on your mind?”
“Our future,” she said honestly. “What is it? What do you see? What do I see?”
“All I see in my future is you,” Aurelio said, reaching out to hold her hand. “And that’s enough for me.”
“Aurelio, I see you too,” she replied, “but I mean, where?” She glanced around the café. “Here?”
“I don’t know, nor do I care,” he said. “I’m not tied to anything here.”
“But you are!” she exclaimed, frustration creeping into her voice. “You own two businesses; you have history here. I don’t want to pull you away from a life you want because I decide to leave.”
“Mia,” he said, exasperation lacing his tone, “one business is a hub for criminal activity that will never be what it was. And the other has been shuttered for so long, I doubt it can ever reopen.”
Mia pulled her hands away, leaning back in her chair as tears threatened to spill over.
“I won’t be the thing that keeps you from your dreams,” she said after a moment. “If you want to open the tack, then you should be able to. Or to open a new garage.”
“Beautiful, I could open a garage anywhere,” he said, reaching for her again. “Mia, you are my dreams.” Aurelio stood and moved his chair next to hers, wrapping her in his arms. “You’re the only dream I have. A life, free with you, anywhere we want, anything we want.” She sobbed quietly into his chest.
“I just need to know that if I decide to leave with my brothers, you will come with me.”
“In a heartbeat,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “You will not be able to get rid of me.” Mia smiled as a girl from the counter approached with their coffees. The girl smiled shyly, noticing Mia’s tears, set the cups down, and hurried back to the counter. Mia laughed, her face buried in Aurelio’s neck.
“So, are we good?” he asked, taking a sip from his cup.
“Yes,” she replied. “There’s so much uncertainty in the future; I just need to know that you’re not.” She watched him sip his coffee.
“Not a single ounce.” And later, Mia would wish she had recorded that moment.