The staff at Grandezzas had met earlier at the restaurant to help clean up and put things away. It had been the only time I left the apartment. Heath had picked me up and taken me there. So many tears and sad hearts. It only spoke of the impact Mattia had on everyone. He’d cared for his employees, and this place had felt like a home for me. For others that weren’t as misplaced as me in life, it had been a place they enjoyed working because of the way we were treated.

Even after death, Mattia was taking care of everyone. The doors were closing for an indefinite amount of time, but everyone was given a check that covered two weeks’ worth of salary and tips. We were sent home with food as the kitchen was cleared out. Greta had family here, and she could use the food, but Jacque said she insisted the employees take the food. She was struggling with us all being without a job, but we all completely understood her need to close the doors. I couldn’t see her here without Mattia. The idea of it seemed so wrong and depressing.

The amount of food we’d been sent home with was why we were cooking tonight and not just ordering take out. There was too much food to fit in the fridge at Heath and Margo’s apartment. Duely had brought a cooler, and Heath had filled it with food when I had said Duely had an empty fridge.

Normally, being surrounded by Heath, Margo, and Duely would be enjoyable. They were the only three people on the planet I loved. They were the closest thing I would ever have to a family. I wanted to believe my grief was what had me so down. I’m sure part of it was just that. The sadness of this day was overwhelming. I was well aware of my faults and acknowledged them. I had fought my nature from the time I understood the ugly inside me. I knew that my current mood had much to do with Rathe’s absence. I wasn’t happy about it, and I wished I could make this longing I seemed to be experiencing for the man stop. I could make a man want me with magic; I could make him do anything I wanted. But I couldn’t make myself feel a certain way. I had no control over my emotions with magic. No manipulating myself. Which sucked about right now. I wanted him here. That was dangerous for him and for me. I did not need to be attached to him; yet, here I was… attached.

“Tell this woman that Italian food requires garlic,” Duely called from the opening to the kitchen.

“Ignore her. She likes garlic; she’s just worried about her breath stinking,” Heath replied.