He’d taken great satisfaction in doing something with his hands. Something that his parents and grandparents and, many years ago, in a small village in the north part of Sicily, his ancestors had done as well. He was excited to continue those traditions. To continue the family pride in these recipes. To put down roots.

Which was why he’d decided to look for a house. Just a small one, nothing flashy, to settle into the community. And, he was hoping, one that might entice Tessa to get on board with his plan. Maybe it was his need to do something, but he’d scheduled a few showings with a realtor this afternoon.

The more he thought about a merger between Tessa and him, the more he knew in his heart it was an unstoppable plan. Together they could turn both these businesses around.

All he needed was for her to say yes.

And the best thing was, she was planning to leave. They’d dissolve their marriage as soon as they could and go their separate ways, no awkwardness or hard feelings. Mission accomplished.

Gia clapped a little on seeing the heaping plate of steaming cannelloni and said something about just coming from Mathletes. Not that he really knew exactly what that was—just that she was a smarty-pants and headed for great things, and that was good enough for him.

Except maybe she was a little too good. He couldn’t believe he was actually thinking that. Gia was sweet natured, laid-back…and did not rock the boat. She didn’t break curfew, she hung out with two super-nice friends, and, as far as he could tell, there were no boys in the picture. And his dad made it sound like she’d already decided on her college choice—a great school, IU, about an hour away.

His dad had never understood why Leo had left Blossom Glen for New York City—so he certainly was never going to encourage Gia to look a little further. And yes, money was tight, but Leo had the means to make it happen.

But his sister didn’t want it. At least, that’s what she said.

“So, what are Mathletes, anyway?” he asked as he set his own plate on the table and they both dug in. The kitchen was quiet, with his dad, Aunt Loretta, and Uncle Cosmo taking their customary lunch break before returning to hit it hard before dinner.

They sat by the window, where they could look out over the gorgeous day and people strolling the walkways in front of the shops under the pink crab apple blossoms.

Gia sat across from him dressed in her track outfit, her dark hair swept up in a ponytail. And she was scarfing down his dad’s famous dish like nobody’s business.

She shrugged. “It’s where you do stuff with numbers. Then I had track practice. I’m starving.”