I watch him go but I have to force the smile on my face.

“Your mom and Salvatore seem really nice,” Natalie says once we’re out of earshot.

I chuckle. “My dad’s okay too. You just have to get to know him. This is my room.”

We walk into my bedroom and I close the door. It’s a spacious room, lavishly decorated in dark grays and blacks.

“Did you grow up here?” she asks.

“Here and in Philadelphia. My mom wants to be here now. It’s her favorite place.”

“It’s a beautiful house.”

“Thanks.” I walk into the closet, switch on the lights to make sure the dress I ordered at the last minute is here. I didn’t see anything in her closet for tonight’s dinner. It is and it’s perfect for Natalie. I switch out the light and return to the bedroom. “You okay?”

She nods. “My stomach just feels funny.”

“Nerves. Why don’t you relax. Have a bath if you want. Dinner isn’t until nine. I’ll go see what my dad wants, and I’ll be up to get you.”

“Okay.”

“There’s a dress in the closet for you. Wear it tonight.”

“A dress?”

I smile, walk to the door.

“Sergio?” She asks when my hand is on the doorknob.

I turn. “Yes?”

“Um…It’s nothing. Never mind.”

“Sure?”

“Yeah, just a long drive. I’ll go have a bath.”

I nod. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I walk out, close the door behind me and don’t like the feeling of leaving her alone. But I have to get this meeting with my dad over with. He doesn’t know about the flowers at Natalie’s house. I didn’t tell him because it’ll only worry him that someone would get that close to me. But I wonder if that’s what he wants to talk about anyway. If it isn’t the Lucia DeMarco situation he’s more interested in discussing. In getting my acquiescence once and for all, especially now that Natalie’s in the picture.

“Dad,” I say, entering his study without knocking.

He’s sitting behind his desk. “Pretty girl,” he says, resting his arms on his desk and looking at me. “Close the door.”

17

Natalie

My phone rings a moment after Sergio walks out of the room. I pick up my purse which I’d tossed on the bed and dig inside for my phone. It’s Drew so I answer.

“Hey Drew.”

“Hey. You there? At the house?”

I smile. “Yes.” I plop down on the bed. “Weirdo.”

“Well, what’s it like?”

“Huge. Lavish. I wonder if it’s haunted.”

“Ha. Did you meet Franco Benedetti?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“And nothing. He’s just like you’d expect. Cold. Sergio’s mom’s nice though. And one of his brothers seems okay.”