Gigi: I’m just keeping shit real.

  Lily: Either you do it, or someone else will.

  Me: I’m not rushing things.

  Tamara: Life’s too short to go slow.

  Me: I don’t know how adding someone to a group text turned into marriage.

  Rebel: Want us to go ring shopping with you?

  Me: No.

  Rocco: That’s my territory.

  Lily: I’m adding Arlo. No more marriage talk. Got it.

  Jett: Yes, mama.

  Pike: Whatever.

  Mammoth: Got it.

  Rebel: Lips are sealed.

  Rocco: Congrats, brother.

  Jo: Noted.

  Gigi: I’m not talking.

  Tamara: You’re always talking.

  Gigi: Shut up.

  Arlo added to the chat scrolls across my screen, and I smile.

  Me: Night, assholes.

  With those words, I turn off my notifications and place my phone on the coffee table, relaxing back into the couch and closing my eyes.

  “I made a decision,” Arlo says as we sit on the patio overlooking my treelined backyard early the next morning.

  “And what’s that, babe?”

  The letter that was left in her file is on the table between us, still untouched.

  “I’m not ready to contact my birth parents.”

  “Whatever makes you happy. I stand behind you no matter what.”

  She smiles and takes a sip of coffee before wrapping both hands around the mug. “For the first time in my life, I feel happy. Content, even. The last thing I want to do is to rock the boat. I want to enjoy this feeling for a little while before anything else changes.”

  “When you’re ready, if you ever are, I’ll be with you every step of the way to hold your hand.”

  Her smile widens, almost kissing her eyes. “I know you will, and I love you for that.”

  “Ditto, babe. Ditto.”

  23

  My mother pulls me aside. “When are you going to ask her?”

  I stare at her with my eyebrows pulled down in the middle. “Ask her what?”

  She smacks my arm. “To marry you,” she says with an eye roll.

  I jerk my head back, widening my eyes. “What?”

  “I see the way you look at her, and a woman like her doesn’t stick around forever, waiting for their man to put a ring on their finger.”

  I move closer, making sure no one in the house can hear us easily. It’s Sunday, and the house is louder than normal since everyone’s inside because of a weird winter system dropping torrential rain. “Ma, we’ve been together weeks.”

  “So?” she replies, crossing her arms and oozing attitude. “If you know, you know. Do you know?”

  “I know, Ma. I know, but I don’t think Arlo’s ready.”

  “She’s ready.” Ma smiles, glancing over at Arlo as she sits with Tamara, Gigi, Lily, Rebel, and Jo. “She’s one of us now. Lock her down, and lock her down tight.”

  “I want to do it when we’re ready.”

  “You’re wasting time, son. I see the way you look at her, and I know you’re gone. Never seen you look at anyone the way you look at Arlo. Time has a way of getting away from us, moving faster with each passing day. We never know what tomorrow’s going to bring, so get a move on it. And I want more grandbabies before I’m too old to enjoy them.”

  It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”

  “Ridiculously old,” she mutters. “And getting older every day. I want more babies before I’m using a walker to get around.”

  My lips flatten, and I glare at her. “Your crazy guilt isn’t going to work on me, Ma.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Aunt Fran asks, scaring the shit out of us. She’s so small, neither of us saw her sneak up on us, listening in on the conversation. “Are you popping the question?”

  I hang my head, letting out a deep breath. “Can it be my idea instead of everyone else’s?”

  “Oh. You are going to pop the question.” Fran grabs me around the middle with one arm and squeezes me with her wicked-weird strength.

  “When I’m ready.”

  “There’s no time like the present. One day, you’re young, and then, poof, you’re old.”

  “Fucking crazy people,” I mumble under my breath.

  “You’ll see, sweetie,” Fran says, still holding on to me. “We were all young once, and it goes by in a flash. A woman like Arlo, one with no tribe of her own but fitting in with a new one, wants and needs the stability and knowledge that she’ll always have a home. If you love her, put a ring on her finger before you do something dumb and lose her forever.”

  I turn my eyes toward my great aunt. “Why would I do something dumb?”

  She shrugs. “You’re a man with a penis. They always do something dumb.”

  “What’s going on?” Aunt Angel asks, coming up to join us. “What’s the secret?”

  “Mello is going to ask Arlo to marry him,” Fran tells her.

  I lift my hand, scrubbing it down my face. “Why don’t we tell everyone?” I mutter.

  “Ask her now, and you won’t have to tell anyone because everyone will see,” Angel says as if it’s that simple.

  “I haven’t even told her I love her yet.”

  All three women recoil as if I’ve said something utterly insane.

  “What?” my mother whispers in a growly tone.

  “Are you crazy?” Aunt Angel says.

  “Idiot. All a bunch of idiots,” Fran mutters.

  Ma reaches out and touches my arm. “Do you love her?”

  “I do, more than anything.”

  She gives my arm a light squeeze. “Then you need to tell her and then put a ring on that finger.”

  “I want it to be special,” I say.

  “It doesn’t matter how you ask or where, sweetie, but you need to do it before she starts to think you’re never going to get to that point. She knows about your history, your lack of commitment, and you don’t want any doubt creeping into her mind.”

  I glance over at Arlo as she’s laughing with my cousins. “She doesn’t look like she has any doubt.”

  “She’s surrounded by married women who have their place in this family solidified. Eventually, maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon enough, that seed of doubt will be planted, and you don’t want it to grow roots.”

  “What’s wrong?” my grandmother asks, coming into the conversation late and unable to stop herself from knowing what we’re talking about.

  “We’re talking about Carmello asking Arlo to marry him.”

  My grandma smiles. “She belongs here.”

  “I need time to find a ring. It has to be perfect.”

  My grandmother lifts her hand, working her engagement ring from my grandfather off her finger. “Give her this,” she says, holding it up to me.

  I blink, staring at her. “Gram, that’s your ring.”

  She pushes it closer to my face. “I know, sweetheart, but I want you and Arlo to have it.”

  “But…but…” I stammer, unable to move. “Shouldn’t it go to the oldest or one of the girls?”

  “It’s my ring, and I get to decide. Arlo’s a woman without a family, and what’s more welcoming and important than her knowing she’s part of our family by having my ring that your grandfather gave to me all those decades ago. It brought us great luck and so much love. I want to pass it on to you and her so it brings you the same.”

  Gram doesn’t wait for me to take the ring. She grabs my hand, placing the platinum and diamond ring in my palm and closing my fingers around it.

  “Doesn’t matter when you ask, but don’t wait too long, sweet boy. I need more great-grandbabies.”

  “Gram,” I whisper, unfolding my fingers and glancing at the beautiful ring. “I don’t know what to say.”

  She touches my face, placing her palm against my cheek. “You don’t need to say anything. Just love her deeply and forever. You had a rough start, my boy, and you deserve happiness for the rest of your years.”

  I grab her, lifting her off the floor in a hug. “I love you, Gram. So, so much. I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “I love you too, baby, and thank me with babies. Lots of babies.”

  I place her feet back on the floor and kiss her soft cheek. “Got it, Gram. I’ll do my best.”

  She pats my side. “I know you will,” she says with a wink.

  “What trouble are you stirring up?” Dad asks, standing behind my mother.

  Ma sways backward, leaning her body weight against him. “Mello’s in love, James.”

  Dad bends his neck, looking down at my mom the same way he’s looked at her my entire life. There’s nothing but love in his gaze, the same way I look at Arlo. “You just figuring that out?”

  She lifts her arm, smacking him on the shoulder with the back of her hand. “I knew. I just can’t believe it. He’s going to ask her to marry him.”

  “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. I need a little more time. I still have to tell her I love her.”

  Dad lifts his head up, staring at me as he wraps his arms around my mother’s middle. “You better get on that. Stop wasting time, son.”

  I shake my head, over family time for this week. “I know. I know. I already had the entire lecture.”

  “You take that woman home, tell her how you feel, and put a ring on her finger,” he tells me like it’s that easy. “And in case you’re wondering, it is that easy.”

  It’s like the old man can read my mind, which is scary but not entirely surprising since we’re so much alike. “I’ll remember that as I’m about to piss myself.”

  My mother rolls her eyes. “You’re ridiculous. Now, go sit by your woman and leave us old people be.”

  I glance over toward the table and catch Arlo’s eye. She smiles, her entire face lighting up as she looks at me.

  “Go,” Gram says, pushing me toward Arlo. “I have to get dessert ready. Leave the women be.”

  “You mean you have gossip to share. You know it’s not about the cake,” Dad says, earning himself a single raised eyebrow from my grandmother.

  “Oh boy,” Aunt Angel says as I walk away, leaving him to get his ass handed to him by the women in the family.

  “Hey,” Rocco says, catching me before I make it to the table. “You okay?”

  I let out a breath. “I just got hijacked by Mom, Gram, Aunt Fran, and Aunt Angel about putting a ring on Arlo’s finger.”

  He laughs. “Welcome to the special type of hell, but trust me, even once you do it, it doesn’t get better. Then they start about the babies.”

  “Already figured that out.”

  “We’ve entered a whole new level,” he says.

  “Bound to happen eventually.”

  “You going to ask her?”

  “Of course, but she may say no.”

  He tips his head back and laughs before slapping his big meaty hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “She isn’t going to say no.”

  “I don’t think so either, but damn, what if she does?”

  “She won’t.”

  “But…”

  He shakes his head. “I’m telling you, she won’t, and I’m never wrong.”

  “You’re always wrong,” I say with a hint of laughter.

  “I never thought you’d find someone to make you happy, but I can sense a calmness and serenity I haven’t seen in you for over a decade.”

  “It’s been a long road.”

  “Tell me about it. I didn’t think we’d ever get past that day.”

  “But we did,” I tell him. “Somehow.”

  “That’s what the love of a good woman does,” he says, squeezing my shoulder one more time before dropping his hand back to his side. “I want to be the first one to know when you ask her.”

  “As soon as I tell her I love her.”

  He raises his face toward the ceiling and shakes his head. “He’s a dope.”

  “I didn’t want to rush things.”

  “Still a dope. Do it tonight and stop being a pussy.”

  “No talking about this in the chat or to anyone. You hear? They all talk, and I don’t want Arlo to get wind of this through a group text message.”

  “I’ll spread the word.”

  “Don’t spread shit,” I tell him. “I’m serious. Not a freaking word to anyone.”

  “You better make it quick then because you told the Gallo family party line between Gram, Fran, and Mom.”

  “Fuck,” I mutter, knowing he’s right. “I’ll do it tonight.”

  “Smart man. You got this,” he says, being supportive as he always is.

  There’s something special about having a twin. Something very few people will ever understand. Our bond is solid and strong, a link that can never be severed, no matter what happens. He is the one person I know will always be in my life, but now I know there’s another one…Arlo.

  24

  I’ve paced a path in the hardwood floor for the last hour as Arlo typed away on her laptop, begging me to give her some time to finish her novel. She’s been working nonstop every moment I’m not around to type The End. I am proud of her and everything she’s accomplished, something most people would never even try to do.

  “I did it. Oh. My. God. I did it,” she says, walking into the living room, holding the pile of papers about two inches thick. “It’s finished.” She places the stack on the table before hurling herself into my arms and wrapping her legs around my middle.

  “I’m so proud of you,” I tell her, holding her tight and spinning us around in a circle to celebrate. “You’re amazing, Arlo. Truly amazing.”

  She leans back, staring me straight in the eyes as her hands grab my face, planting a giant kiss on my lips. “I love you,” she blurts out, saying it like it’s something we’ve said to each other a million times.

  “I love you too,” I reply, and her eyes widen as the power and weight of my words finally hit her.

  “You do?” she asks, her voice soft and quiet.

  “I have for a while now, babe. I love you more than anything.”

  She peppers my face with kisses before planting a long, deep one straight on my lips. I walk backward, her body attached to mine, our mouths locked together. I collapse when my legs hit the couch, and she lands on my lap, never breaking the kiss.

  When she pulls away, she says, “I’ve never been happier than I am right now. I don’t think anything could make this day any better.”

  My stomach twists, and I know now’s my chance to ask her, hoping she’ll say yes and somehow I will, in fact, make her happier than she ever thought possible.

  I lift up, taking her weight, and reaching into my back pocket. “Babe,” I whisper, feeling the ring between my fingertips. “I know we haven’t known each other very long…”

  She’s silent, but her eyes are on mine, never leaving my face.

  “But there’s one thing I know. I always want you in my life. Not only do I love you, Arlo, I want you to be mine forever.” I lift up the ring, and her eyes dip, widening as soon as she sees the light shimmer off the diamond. “Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  Her mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. Tears flood her eyes, hanging on the edges, threatening to fall. “You…” she starts to say, but the words die on her lips as the tears begin to fall. “You want to marry me?” she whispers between sobs.

  “I want you to be mine forever, babe. I’ve had a family my entire life, but I’ve never felt more at home than I am with you.”

  “Yes! Yes! Oh my God, yes,” she says, sobbing louder as I take her hand, sliding the diamond ring onto her finger.

  “This is my grandmother’s ring. She gave me her blessing and wanted you to have it so you know you’re as much a part of the family as any of us, including me. You’re not only gaining a man but the entire crazy-ass group.”

  She throws her arms around me, almost choking me with the force with which she hugs me. “I have a family,” she whispers, the tears now falling onto my T-shirt. “You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted and more.”

  “Babe,” I say, pulling back so I can see her face. I cradle her cheeks in my hands, staring into her eyes. “You’re the one who’s given me more than I ever knew I wanted. I can’t wait until you’re Mrs. Carmello Caldo.”

  As soon as the words are out of my mouth, her lips are on me again, taking everything as quick as I can give it.

  “I want you,” she whispers against my mouth. “I don’t want to wait.”

  “Arlo,” I say softly, searching her eyes for any hesitation but seeing nothing but happiness and need. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure, Carmello. I’ve saved myself my entire life for the man I’d call my husband, and that man is you.”

  “My wife,” I whisper, loving how that sounds on my tongue.

  “Forever,” she whispers back as I move my mouth to her neck, kissing a trail down to her collarbone.

  I stand, Arlo wrapped around me, my lips on her skin, and move us toward the bedroom, wanting to take my time with her and enjoy every inch of her body. I want the experience to be amazing, wiping away the one from her past.

  Gently, I set her on the bed and take off my shirt, throwing it to the side.

  “You’re really something beautiful,” she says, watching me with hungry eyes.

  I unbutton my jeans and lower the zipper. “Baby, you’re the work of art.”

  She lifts up, removing her tank top before shimmying out of her shorts, having nothing underneath.

  The wind is knocked out of me for a moment before I slide between her legs, covering her warm, soft skin with my own.

  “Are you sure?” I ask her again, staring into her green eyes.

  “Stop asking,” she tells me, taking my face in her hands and pulling my mouth to hers. “I want you, Mello. Make me yours.”

  My lips slide to her jaw, down to her neck, and lazily make their way to her breasts, readying my girl for her first time. I want her to feel pleasure and not pain, thinking nothing more than how beautiful the moment is.

  Her legs fall open as I slide my hand down her side to her hip, finding the small tuft of hair I’ve spent hours burying my face in over the last weeks.