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I glance toward the food truck, willing Isabella to return quickly. But it’s clear that’s not happening anytime soon. I let out a short breath.
“Your cousin and I are nothing more than friends.”
“But you don’t want to be just friends,” Maria states intuitively. “Are you in love with her?”
The question throws me. I stare at their faces for a couple of seconds.
“I care about her a lot,” I reply carefully.
More than I’ve ever cared about any woman before. She and I just work. When we’re together, it feels right. But that’s not love. Or at least I don’t think it is. It can’t be.
The twins share an odd look. “Don’t hurt her,” Maria warns. “We can tell Isa likes you a lot. And she let you meet us. We’ve never met any of her friends before.”
“Or boyfriends,” her brother adds. “If you hurt her, we’ll get cugino Enzo to beat your ass.”
I laugh at that. I would definitely not want to be involved in any altercations with the mafia Don.
“I would never hurt Isabella,” I say sincerely.
The thought of it makes my heart clench. The twins’ expressions remain serious for only a second, before they offer me nearly identical smiles.
“Good. Because Isa’s been hurt enough already.”
Those words send a painful jolt through my chest. I fight the sudden urge to hunt down and destroy every single thing that’s ever caused her pain.
“What were you guys talking about?” Isabella asks, effectively putting an end to our conversation.
“Nothing,” the twins chorus.
She gives them a disbelieving look before shooting me a suspicious one. I simply shrug in reply.
“The kids and I had a bonding session, Sunshine,” I say, shooting her a wink. “We’re all besties now. Right, guys?”
“Yes. I like Graham, Isa,” Maria states.
“Me too,” her brother adds.
I don’t miss the strange expression on Isabella’s face as she looks from me to them. She hands them the napkins and they get cleaned up. As soon as that’s done, they’re running toward the playground in the park. Isabella and I watch for a little while as Matthew pushes his sister on the swings.
“I didn’t think you’d be good with kids,” she says in a low voice.
I glance over at her. “I adore children. They have an openness and innocence to them that can’t be replicated. I miss being that age,” I say softly.
“You sure you’re not still that age?” Isabella teases.
I scoff softly, my gaze going to the twins again.
“You did good with them,” I tell her, gesturing toward the kids. “They adore you.”
Isabella smiles. We’re sitting right beside each other on the bench. Her hand brushes against mine when she shifts in her seat and warmth buzzes over my skin. She looks up at me, her eyes meeting mine, and I really wish she didn’t because her eyes have this unique ability to completely entrap me.
My lips part and I find myself inching closer to close the gap between us.
Fuck, I want to kiss her more than I need air.
“Isa!” Maria screams from the swings, gesturing for her to join them.
And just like that, the spell is broken. I clear my throat, looking away and wondering if maybe one of these days, I won’t be able to hold back anymore. Spending time with her is great and it should be enough for me. But when I lie awake at night, I’m picturing her face and her smile and wishing she was beside me.
