She leans back in her chair and looks at me warmly. “Vito, maybe I was stupid for inviting you here. I thought it could be good to talk a bit.”

  I nod. “Go ahead and talk.”

  Even as I say it, I hate that I sound like a moody teenager. I’m a grown fucking man, and this woman loved me once.

  “Okay, let me just say this,” I tell her. “I heard you were back in town, but I’m seeing someone I really care about now, and I just…” I shrug. “I don’t know what there really is to say.”

  Michelle stuns me by laughing and leaning forward on her desk. “Thank you,” she says. “Thanks for being honest. That’s literally all I wanted.”

  She sighs and then leans back. “Maybe it’s me who needs to talk. So, can you give me five minutes? If you don’t like what I have to say, you can leave and tell me to fuck off, and I won’t bother you again.”

  I nod, feeling a tiny bit less grumpy. “Shoot,” I tell her. “Floor’s yours.”

  She gives me a big smile. “Well, you probably heard I came back to Star Falls to help my grandfather. He’s in that memory care place up on Devon and Wilson Drive.”

  I nod. “I heard. I’m sorry things have gotten rough. Your gramps was always good to me.”

  “You deserved it,” she says warmly. “You’re a wonderful man, Vito.”

  Alarm bells like a five-alarm fire sound in my ears. Where the fuck is this going?

  “I’ll cut to the chase,” she says. “You know we didn’t work out for reasons. But I have no hard feelings, and I hope you don’t either. I’m dating someone now who I’ve been with for almost four years.” She turns a picture frame on her desk to show me a picture of her in a bikini on a beach with some guy wearing orange floral trunks. He looks like a douchebag to me, but Michelle looks happy, so I just nod.

  Her voice is soft as she explains. “He’s a lawyer. We’re doing the long-distance thing for a few months while he’s working up a case that should go to trial by the end of the year. Once that’s over, he’s going to spend half his time here in Star Falls with me.”

  “That’s great, Michelle. I’m happy for you.” I rub my hands on my thighs, ready to bolt. “I hope it all works out.”

  I’m about to jump out of my seat when there is a soft knock at the door. Michelle waves at a woman who I assume is the receptionist. She comes in carrying a cardboard drink caddy with two coffees on it.

  “Gennie, thank you.” Michelle introduces me to the receptionist, who is enormously pregnant. “I’d like you to meet Vito Bianchi.”

  I shake her hand and look at her face. “Are you by any chance related to the fire chief?”

  Gennie grins. “I’m married to his oldest, Rory.” She points to her belly. “His.”

  Something about the fact that Gennie is related to my chief sets me at ease. I feel a lot less out of place and under the microscope, but the chief’s daughter-in-law leaves and I’m again alone with Michelle.

  “I got you the usual,” Michelle says, shoving a paper cup across her desk at me. “But you don’t have to drink it.”

  I grab the cup and take a sip. I look down at the plastic lid as I mutter, “You remember how I like my coffee after all this time.”

  Michelle nods. “I loved you, Vito. And I still want the best for you, even if we’ve both moved on.” She sips her drink, then continues. “I like Eden a lot,” she says. “The admissions counselor called me this morning to see how the classroom visit went. I think Eden has a bright future.”

  I shrug, not sure I like the idea of my new girlfriend following in the footsteps of my ex-wife. “Yeah. Eden’s great,” I say guardedly.

  Michelle looks thoughtful as she finally lays it all out on the table. “Eden is actually the reason I wanted to talk to you.”

  I meet her eyes over my hot coffee and brace myself. I wish I had some antacid. If it’s a Michelle idea, I know it’s going to burn.

  I check the time and sigh. “All right,” I say, resigned to listening.

  That’s all I have to do.

  Then, like she said, I can block her and leave the past where it belongs.

  14

  Eden

  Today might just be the worst day of my life.

  I stagger into the kitchenette of the hotel, feeling like I got hit by a truck. Sharp knocking at the door nearly takes the breath from my lungs as I run to the door to open it before whoever it is brings the two seconds of peace I’ve had to a miserable end.

  I don’t even check the peephole, just yank open the door and squint into the sunlight.

  “Today’s the day.” My aunt Shirley is beaming, her arms wide open.

  I step outside into the sunlight and let the door close behind me. I wince at the noise and squint, a thousand little needles pricking behind my eyes.

  “I know, but it couldn’t be off to a worse start.” I lean into Aunt Shirley’s arms and rest my head against her shoulder.

  “Uh-oh.” Sassy steps out of our hug and peers into my face like she can read the bad news in my eyes. “Spill it, kiddo. What happened? Isn’t today the closing? Did the seller back out?”

  I shake my head. “No, thank goodness. No. Everything is happening.” I rub my forehead and sigh. “It’s Juniper. She’s got to be cutting another tooth or something.” I tell my aunt about one of the worst nights we’ve had. “She had a low fever yesterday around lunch, but she didn’t seem bothered until about midnight. She woke me up screaming bloody murder. I mean, bloody murder.”

  I tell her how I couldn’t calm Junie down. I was so worried about noise traveling through the thin walls of the hotel and waking every single guest that I put her in the car and tried to calm her while keeping the screaming inside the confines of my vehicle. That didn’t work, so I started driving.

  “I actually got stopped by a Star Falls officer for sitting on the side of the road with my car idling,” I say, shaking my head. “He was pretty sympathetic when I explained what was going on and showed him my hotel key and stuff.” I rub my eyes.

  Junie finally crashed at four in the morning, but then she woke up at seven super cranky and whiny. I fed her breakfast and just got her back down for what I hope is a decent nap.

  Aunt Sassy’s right on time, so it’s got to be around eleven. “I don’t think I slept more than two hours last night.” I frown and rub my burning eyes. “I just hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.”

  Sassy crosses her arms over her chest and shakes her head. A soft cloud of her perfume greets me, and it’s hard not to smile. She smells like home, like a grandma. “If anything,” she says, “this is a clear sign it’s long past time you get that baby into your own house.” She looks truly undone and starts talking really fast. “Honey, damn it. You should have called me. Even in the middle of the night, I could have come by and helped.”

  To be honest, I’d thought about that. Aunt Sassy lives in an apartment, so I couldn’t just show up with a screaming toddler at midnight and make enemies with all her neighbors.

  And then, of course, I thought about Vito. But I know he’s back on shift tomorrow, and there was no way I was going to wake up his parents and mess up his sleep schedule.

  “I managed,” I say quietly.

  “Eden. Baby.” Sassy grabs my hands and holds them tightly in hers. “I want you to hear me when I say this.” She presses her hot-pink lips together, the fine lines around her mouth deepening as she frowns. “You are family, Eden. Flesh and blood. You are not alone. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night and I have a hot guy in my bed. You knock on that door, and you ask for help.”

  She shakes her head and blinks fast, sniffling like she might cry. “I was never able to be there when you were a girl. When you could have used someone close by.” She releases my hands and clutches her hands in front of her chest. “I wanted to, Eden. I wanted to be there for you. Please let me do that now. Let me be there for you, sweetheart.”

  The tears are flowing before she even finishes speaking. I need time to accept that I am not alone anymore. That there are people who don’t just want to be part of my life; there are people who would willingly shoulder my burdens.

  “Auntie,” I say, trying to force a half smile as I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. “A hot guy? Is there something we should talk about?”

  My aunt snorts. “That ship’s sailed, sweetheart, but you get my point.”

  I wrap an arm around her shoulder and point toward the door. “Let’s get inside. I’ve got to get presentable before the closing.”

  I reach for the doorknob and realize the hotel door locked behind us. I pat my back pocket for my keycard, but I don’t feel it.

  “Oh, sweet baby Jesus,” I sigh. I listen for screaming from inside the room, but it’s quiet. “I think I left my keycard inside with Juniper.”

  “Oh, holy mother.” Sassy looks terrified and starts tearing through her purse for her phone. “Should I call 9-1-1? Should we break the window?” She starts looking around, and I hope like hell she’s not about to pick up a rock.

  “Auntie,” I say calmly. “After last night, I am sure that if Juniper were awake, we’d hear her. You stay here and keep watch. I’ll go to the front desk. I’ve been staying here long enough that I’m sure they know who I am and will give me another key.”

  I head over toward the lobby, unable to stop myself from casting a look backward to make sure my aunt isn’t about to send a potted plant through a window.

  I have to say, though, it brings me a lot of comfort to know I have someone in my life who would destroy public property if my daughter’s safety were at risk.

  I hustle over to the lobby, smoothing my hair and wiping my cheeks. I have no makeup on and probably look like a swamp troll, but as long as I look like the woman they know is staying in that room, they should let me in.

  When I get to the lobby, the girl at the front desk is on the phone. She holds up a hand with a smile and lets me know she’ll be right with me.

  Maybe the next time Junie has a meltdown, or I have a fire or need anything…maybe I won’t force myself to go through it alone.

  And then, I hear his voice. “Hey, gorgeous.”

  I throw myself into Vito’s arms and practically smash my lips against his. “I’m a mess,” I warn him. “I didn’t sleep, I’m not wearing makeup, and I haven’t showered since yesterday morning.”

  He stops my words with a kiss. “You’re perfect,” he says. “Sassy sent me in here.” He holds the extra keycard I gave him a few days ago between his fingers. “Let’s get back to your room. I had to wrestle a concrete block out of your aunt’s hand, but she made no promises.”

  The final walk-through and the closing both went off without a hitch. Robert actually hugged Vito and me after handing over the keys. It was a bittersweet moment for him, and I promised him that we’d make some beautiful new memories in the place he’s called home.

  I’m standing inside the house when I check my phone again, even though my aunt assured me that Juniper is fine. Fussy, but no more freak-outs. That’s when the real work starts.

  Vito has recruited his brother Franco, his father Mario, and, of course, Lucia to help move over all the essential stuff from the hotel. The afternoon is a blur of trips back and forth, messages, phone calls, and a hell of a lot of sweating.

  By dinnertime, I have furniture in Juniper’s room, all my stuff moved out of the hotel, and a couch in the living room to sleep on tonight.

  “Hun, what time is the official move tomorrow?” Lucia is wearing the cutest little pair of reading glasses, which she has moved from a beaded chain around her neck onto the end of her nose.

  “Around nine,” I tell her.

  “I’ll be there,” Franco says. “Text me the address.”

  “You sure you don’t want to stay? I can order pizza,” I offer.

  Franco shakes his head. “Nah, I’m going to meet Chloe at the bookstore to grab my baby girl. I’m good, sweetheart. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Franco hugs his brother and calls out a goodbye to his parents, his voice echoing through the mostly empty house.

  Lucia and Mario are next to leave.

  “We’ll bring food tomorrow once you’re more settled,” Lucia promises. Her eyes grow misty, and she stands up on her tippy toes but I still have to bend down a bit so she can hold my cheeks. “I’m so happy for you, Eden. This is going to make the most beautiful home.”

  Mario kisses me goodbye and claps Vito on the shoulder. “See you in a couple days, son.” Then he turns to kiss my cheek. “And I’ll be back tomorrow.” He leans down to whisper in my ear. “Lucia already decided you need a dog for that yard. I don’t know how long I can hold her off.”

  Sassy comes into the kitchen with Junie. “Getting dark out there,” she calls out. “And I think this little one needs some dinner.”

  “Do you want to stay, Auntie? Let me buy you dinner.”

  Shirley shakes her head and holds up a hand. “I got to get these knees in a hot bath. I’m on lunch service tomorrow.” She kisses my daughter on both cheeks and blows raspberries against her neck. “You let your mama sleep tonight, you hear?”

  Junie giggles and leans her face against Sassy’s velvet leggings.

  “Thanks, Sassy,” Vito says, hugging my aunt goodbye.

  “You.” She wags a finger at Vito. “I love you, you know that? And you’re damn lucky this niece of mine didn’t meet Benito first.”

  Vito waves her off and laughs as he throws an arm around my shoulders, and I melt into his side. We stand at the front door together, watching as the last of our family pulls away.

  True happiness always seemed like something other people grabbed so easily. But now, the life I always wanted isn’t just close. I’m in it. And I never dreamed it could feel this good.

  15

  Vito

  The first month after Eden moves into her house goes by in a blur. I spend almost every night at Eden’s place, except the nights when I’m working. It’s not that I’ve moved in; it’s just that so much shit comes up with a new house. Furniture to be moved, boxes needing to be unpacked. Eden has rearranged the kitchen pantry so many times, I don’t know where anything is from one day to the next. But I don’t care. She’s over the goddamn moon every day. This home has brought her so much pleasure, and I am just happy to be a part of it.

  And it’s hard to deny that I’m becoming a bigger part of all of it—not just the house—I’m talking Eden’s and Juniper’s lives.

  Tonight, we agreed that Eden would take the night off from organizing cabinets and we would just sit back and enjoy the place.

  I stretch out and rest my head back against the cushions. The TV is on, but the volume is low. I’m not too interested in watching anything. I just want to spend time with Eden when we’re not deciding whether heavy canned goods should go on a low shelf or a high shelf. Don’t get me wrong. I love the process, but tonight, I don’t want to watch her alphabetize soup.

  She comes out of the kitchen with two glasses of water. She leaves our drinks on the coffee table and then collapses next to me on the couch. She’s quiet for a minute, and I tap her on the thigh with my fingers.

  “Go on,” I urge.

  “What?” Her lips curl into a knowing smile.

  “I know what you’re thinking. Just say it so we can move on.”

  She opens her mouth to say it, and I time my words so we both say it at the same time. “Can you believe this is really my house?”

  “You’re the worst,” she says, looping her arms around my neck. She kisses my ear. “I’m not that predictable.”

  “Eden,” I say, tilting my head so our faces are close. “You totally are, and I love seeing you this happy.”

  She kisses me lightly on the lips, then snuggles against my side. I put an arm around her shoulders and pull her close. “Your mother wants me to get a dog,” she says. “She has almost got me convinced.”

  I shake my head. “I do not get between Lucia and her rescues. That includes you.”

  “Hey.” Eden elbows me. “But I guess I deserve that. You know your mom offered to give me cooking lessons.”

  “Better you than me,” I say. “Ma and Pops are great cooks. I am a great microwaver.”

  We hold each other tightly and watch the images cross the TV.

  “A dog could be good protection,” she says quietly. “For when you’re not here.”

  My housewarming gift to Eden was a video security system. She has cameras all around the property, and I set up the text alerts to message both my phone and hers if anything triggers the sensors.

  Star Falls is safe, but you can never be too safe. Even if I’ve mostly been notified that she has an active family of raccoons living out back. Definitely one point in the pro column if she’s thinking about getting a dog.

  “Do you not feel safe here?” I ask, growing concerned. “When you’re by yourself?”

  She nods, her soft hair rustling against the fabric of my shirt. “It’s not that so much. It’s just… I don’t know. This place feels different when you’re not here, like something’s missing.”

  I lift her chin so I can look her in the eye. “Babe, we talked about this. This is your house. Your first home. You’ve got to spend time in it. You don’t need anyone else claiming a closet or half your bed. Isn’t that what you want? Reorganizing everything? Making this the perfect place for you and Junie?”

  She shrugs. “Yeah. That makes sense. I know I need to do things for myself.”

  “No.” I shake my head. “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying this is your house. Your dream. I want you to have a little time to enjoy it. I don’t need to have my name on the mailbox to feel at home here.”

  She’s quiet, but then she sniffs hard, and her cheeks grow red. “Is it because you don’t want me? Are we too much?”