Believe (7 page)

A burning knife edged through Lorenzo’s gut, cutting a path to his throat. Aunt Sophia’d been trying to set his cousin Joey up with girls like Lita for over ten years now, since his and Joey’s high school days.

The front door opened. Lita, laughing, leaned into Joey’s solid shoulder. She kissed Joey’s cheek. Lorenzo closed his eyes. He wanted to be near Lita, needed her. Lorenzo shook his shoulders and opened his eyes. Lita stared at him, her smile gone.

“Hey Lorenzo,” Joey said as he took the grocery bags into the kitchen.

Lorenzo’s face burned for feeling envious of his cousin. Though Sophia was really his second cousin, she’d been like an aunt to him, Joey and Janetta his cousins. They’d always welcomed him into their home—hell, he and Joey used to play together, from the time they were in diapers.

But Lita had kissed Joey. Joey had smiled. Lita’s lips were meant for him, not Joey, not any other man but Lorenzo.

“What’s he doing here?” Uncle Enzo’s voice sounded as harsh as the burning in Lorenzo’s gut.

“I asked him.” Lita stepped forward. Her hair waved around her heart-shaped face. Her cheeks bloomed pink, like the figure-hugging dress she wore. It flared out on her shapely calves, like a mermaid tail.

“Lorenzo.” Grandpop pushed his shoulder. “Go in the kitchen.”

Since Lorenzo’d been ogling Lita, he nodded and strode into the kitchen before he made a bigger display of himself.

Their family friend Paolo sat at the wide old oak table—the same table that Aunt Angela used to knead bread dough on, or help him with homework when he was in elementary school. She had decorated the whole house and it showed especially in the bright kitchen, with its sandy white, lemon yellow, and Mediterranean Sea blue tiles, ample counter space, large white appliances, and ironwork handles on the many cabinets and drawers. Lita’d love cooking in here.

“Joey, Janetta,” Grandpop called.

“You’re summoned.” Paolo laughed.

Paolo and Janetta had been friends since high school, so Paolo knew them all like his own family. Janetta smirked at them both but walked out with her brother.

“Got any new Ferragamos coming in?” Lorenzo said, trying to steer the conversation in an innocuous direction. Paolo was as infamous in the family as Aunt Sophia for matchmaking.

“No. And your personal shopping favors will be at an end if you don’t wise up.” Paolo eased out of his chair, smoothing his light grey slacks.

“What are you all conspiring about now?” Lorenzo shifted his feet. If Grandpop and Paolo were working together, miracles really could happen.

“You.” Paolo rolled his eyes in an exaggerated expression. “Let me be your gay-dian angel and help you, you clueless boy.” Paolo and Janetta were only a couple of years older than Lorenzo, but they acted like it was ten.

Lorenzo rubbed his mouth with his hand, stifling a chuckle. If he laughed now, Paolo would really go off.

Paolo waved a hand. “Love!” A smile beamed. He placed his hands on his hips. “You and Lita are in it.” He put up a hand when Lorenzo opened his mouth. “Don’t let her go. She’s much too good for you, of course, even though Janetta doesn’t like her.” Paolo shrugged and wagged a finger at him. “I do, and if you don’t wise up, I’ll work my magic and set her up with Joey.”

Lorenzo stretched his neck. Lorenzo had escaped Paolo’s “help” so far. Now… “Get me alone with her.”

Paolo crossed his arms and gave him an unbelieving head shake.

“Just in here. Five minutes.”

“That I can do. Maybe ten even.” Paolo smiled and strolled out.

Lorenzo paced. He stopped when Lita entered and shut the swinging door.

“I…Paolo said you wanted to talk.”

Lorenzo nodded. The burning jealousy had stopped. His throat cracked, dry.

Lita ran her fingers along the small island, approaching Lorenzo. He stilled, watching her. Her movements made his body burn in a different way.

She leaned into him and kissed his cheek. Her lips stayed near his ear. He swallowed and closed his eyes. If his family had anything to say, this might be the last time he’d feel her close…

“You’re a good man,” she whispered. “I’m sorry for not staying last night.”

Lorenzo leaned into the counter, his head whirling with Lita’s words. Lorenzo straightened and smoothed his jacket. She believed in him. The corner of his mouth twitched up.

“I want you.” Lorenzo blew out a breath. No wonder some guys planned romantic gestures—otherwise they came out wrong. “I’ve sold the clubs. I’m going to start a new business.” This wasn’t how he’d pictured his proposal to Lita.

She studied his face.
He stepped to her, enclosed her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. She leaned herself into him, slid her arms around his neck. Everything was right in his world. He pulled back. Lita looked up at him and exhaled.

“I love you. Say you’ll be mine?” he whispered.

She tickled her fingers over the back of his neck. Her touch shot through him. “I’m already yours. I love you, too.” She kissed him, her lips a gentle caress.

He needed her with him, all the time, every day. “Will you marry me, my angel?”

“Yes, you and no one else.” She smiled, sweet, yet flirtatious.

He tightened his hold on her. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“That’s what I like to hear.” He kissed her again.

“Thank heaven.” Lita pressed herself closer.

Chapter Seven

Lita cupped Lorenzo’s cheeks in her palms and gazed at him. He grasped her hands and kissed her palms. Warmth trickled through her, the light patter of an early-morning shower.

Lorenzo rubbed her ring finger. “I don’t have a ring for you.” He brushed his fingers through her hair.

Her head lightened. “It doesn’t matter.” She leaned her head into his chest. He wanted to marry her. He wanted to share her life, her dreams. Her throat tightened. This was unreal.

But Lorenzo was real. He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer. The soft wool of his suit rubbed against her cheek. His scent, his heat, made her dizzier.

“I’m getting you a ring. I want to give you everything.” His voice was hoarse.

Lita fingered his hand. The bandage she’d placed on it yesterday was rough on her skin. She moved back, looking up at him. “What you said, about the clubs…”

“It’s done. I want a new life, with you.”

“That’s all I want.”

Lorenzo caressed the curve of her lower back. The warmth became hot, as if she’d turned the water the wrong way, scalding her skin. Lita wriggled. A low rumble sounded from Lorenzo’s throat. Lita parted her lips.

The kitchen door swung open, banging. Lita squirmed, but Lorenzo held her tightly.

“No, Vittorio.” Uncle Enzo waved his hands and strode in, Sophia and Carlo behind him. “Lorenzo, I told you—”

“Lorenzo asked me to marry him and I said yes.” Lita smiled, despite the angry glare on Uncle Enzo’s face, and the shocked dismay on Sophia’s and Carlo’s faces. Only Paolo and Grandpop smiled with Lita. Lorenzo released her from his arms. Lita rubbed her arms, chilled.

“Lorenzo…married?” Carlo shook his head.

“Another wedding!” Paolo hugged Lita.

Lita tried to respond, but her lips felt stuck together, her shoulders tensed. The disapproval and disappointment in the room clung to her like a tangled line of tape.

“Marriage isn’t about the wedding.” Sophia’s voice was quiet, but firm.

“Exactly.” Uncle Enzo stepped in front of Lita. “You are very dear to me, Lita. Lorenzo hasn’t proven—”

“
Basta
!” Grandpop gripped Uncle Enzo’s shoulder. “Enough, Enzo. The boy is proving himself. He’s free from the business, from his father. He’s made a commitment to Lita. He knows we’ll hold him accountable.”

“He may think he’s free, but it’s never that simple. You of all people know that, Vittorio.” Uncle Enzo shrugged his older brother off.

“Please.” Lita placed herself between the divided group. “Lorenzo and I love each other. We love all of you. Please try to be happy for us.”

“Lita and I are getting married.” Lorenzo stepped behind her and slid his arm around her waist. “No one can keep us apart.” His tone stung, the quick slice of a knife blade. Lita pressed herself into him, to stop from shivering.

“You see how he is?” Uncle Enzo glared at his brother.

Grandpop shook his head. “He’s young.” Grandpop’s tone implied “and stupid.”

Uncle Enzo looked at Lita. His eyes softened. “Lita, Lorenzo will hurt you. Maybe not now, but when the novelty of new love wears thin…I won’t see you hurt, my dear.”

Lorenzo’s stomach tensed against Lita’s back. Lita fingered her throat, then her necklace. “He promised he’d never hurt me. I believe in him.”

“Enzo, let them be.” Grandpop’s voice was strangely hushed. “They have to learn for themselves.”

There was nothing to learn—except more about Lorenzo, about what it would be like to be his wife. But that was a dream realized. Not something sad or hurtful, as her family implied.

“What’s the commotion?” Janetta pushed through between her parents, her tiny petite frame not matching the strength of her voice and presence. “What’s Lorenzo pulled now?” Janetta smiled.

“Shut it.” Lorenzo’s tone teased, no longer steely.

“Lemon blossom, this is no joke.” Uncle Enzo shook his head at Janetta.

“Lorenzo and Lita are getting married.” Paolo made it sound like the best thing ever. And it would be.

Janetta laughed. “Gramps, are you kidding? This is the best joke I’ve heard in a long time.”

Lita frowned. Lorenzo stepped forward, forcing Lita closer to Janetta.

“I said shut it.” This time, the playfulness leaked out of Lorenzo’s tone, like water from a cracked glass.

Janetta studied Lorenzo. She held up her hands.

“Tell your fiancée to stop pouting. Congratulations.” Janetta shrugged. “Shouldn’t someone call Lee?”

Lita gripped Lorenzo’s hand. Lee wasn’t going to be happy and Janetta knew it. Janetta and Lee were friends too—Lee had told Lita he and Janetta might start their own architecture firm, but they needed a business partner. That should have been Lorenzo—he and Lee used to talk about it in high school occasionally. But now Lee was angry at Lorenzo, and he wouldn’t approve of them getting married. Lee didn’t think anyone under twenty-five should get married, especially not his baby sister.

“Janetta’s right.” Lita smiled, though a moment ago she’d wanted to slap Janetta. “We should call Lee.”

“What happened to everyone?” Joey walked in with Vincente and Gina.

The room crowded. Lita pulled Lorenzo’s arm closer around her.

“Lorenzo and Lita are engaged,” Sophia said. Her voice was a high, artificially cheerful tone. Some of Lita’s father’s nurses had used a similar voice when they were about to draw blood, or do something else unpleasant.

“Congrats,” Joey and Vincente said at the same time.

“We can plan our weddings together,” Gina said with a smile.

Lita nodded. At least a few people would support her and Lorenzo.

No one else smiled. Lita closed her eyes. Dots of light shimmered. Her head felt tight. Happy, she should be happy. She was engaged to Lorenzo. He loved her. They were going to be happy.

“Thanks.” Lorenzo’s breath, his voice, brought her back to the moment, back to him. “Sophia, can you manage dinner without Lita? Need to get her a ring.”

“I’ve got plenty of help. You two go ahead.” Sophia smiled briefly.

“Lorenzo…” Lita wanted to resolve the tension, wanted everyone to be happy for them. But that wasn’t going to happen right now. Her shoulders sagged. Lorenzo squeezed her hand. She laced her fingers in his.

“No arguments. I’m buying you a ring now.”

“Whatever you want.” Lita leaned into him. He propelled them forward, past the skeptical faces of her family.

Lita walked forward. Lorenzo strode beside her and held her hand.

“Be back for dinner,” Grandpop said. “We’ll call Lee and invite him.”

Lita grabbed her purse from the table in the foyer and hugged it to her stomach.

“We will. Thanks.” Lorenzo held the door for her. He led her to his car, his hand on the curve of her lower back.

She glanced at him as he helped her into his car. His mouth was tight—no dimples to soften the intensity of his expression, the raw strength of his features. Lita stared forward, down the hill at the trees in bloom lining the street. The white puffs of flowers among the green leaves evoked a wedding bouquet. Lita glanced at her hands. Lorenzo slid into the car and drove off, toward Columbus. Within a few minutes, Lorenzo had parked on a side street lined with boutiques and cafes. He led her into a green building with gold lettering—Polito Jewelers.

Lita’s stomach fluttered, the soft warmth of fresh sage out of the kitchen garden, the excitement of gathering the first harvest.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Polito.”

Lorenzo shook hands with an old man who stood behind the long glass counter. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches shone and sparkled inside the cases. The man nodded at Lorenzo, his impassive expression cool as the slightly dim interior of the store.

“This is my fiancée, Lita Sabatini. We’d like an engagement ring.”

Mr. Polito smiled, his white mustache bobbing up. He put out a wrinkled hand and shook Lita’s hand. “Wonderful.” He studied Lita.

Her cheeks warmed and she glanced at Lorenzo. He eased his arm around her waist and pulled her into him. She smiled.

“I have just the ring.” Mr. Polito moved a hand over a flat display of rings and selected one with a large rounded diamond set in a simple, thin platinum band.

Lita’s smile grew. Lorenzo held out his hand and took the ring. He turned to Lita, grasping her hand. His gaze questioned. He smiled, his dimples showed. Lita laughed, releasing the tension from earlier. Then she held her breath. Lorenzo watched her as he slid the ring on her finger. His expression changed back to the serious intensity he’d had before. His brows pushed together. Her hand trembled slightly. This was forever.

Lita studied the ring. It sparkled, beautiful in its simplicity and elegance. If only their love could be so easy. But nothing with Lorenzo had ever been easy. Still, happiness could be savored more if it had been worked for, not given as a right.

Lorenzo released her. Lita leaned on the counter, unsteady. The shop, everything seemed somehow hazy, part of a dream. She closed her eyes and opened them again. She wasn’t dreaming.

Mr. Polito went to the cash register, running Lorenzo’s credit card through. “Congratulations. You must be a special young woman indeed.” Mr. Polito spoke with a mixture of admiration and reserve. Lorenzo’s reputation was known throughout the city, probably further.

Lita fingered the ring. All that was changed now. Lorenzo loved her, was committed to her. “Thank you.” Lita’s voice came out in a hushed whisper.

“Give my best to your family, Lorenzo.” Mr. Polito waved as they turned to walk out.

“You too.” Lorenzo held the door for Lita.

She stepped out into the bright light of the afternoon. The pavement seemed to ripple in the heat. Lorenzo grasped her hand and pulled her into him. Lita glanced around at the cars and people hurrying by. Lorenzo cupped her chin, forcing her to look only at him. For a moment, her breath stopped, like when she’d fallen off a swing as a girl. Lorenzo kissed her hands before placing his on her back. She eased her hands behind his neck. He gazed at her, hungrily taking her in as he’d looked at that chocolate mousse the other night. Or maybe that look had been for her then too.

“I promise to take care of you, Lita.” He kissed her forehead. “I promise to love you forever.” He caressed his lips over her cheek. Her breathing grew shallow. “I promise to be faithful.” He brushed his lips over hers.

She gripped her hands closer around his neck, her fingers tickling in his hair. She deepened their kiss. She pressed herself closer to his hard chest, unable to get close enough, taste him deeply enough.

A horn honked. Someone jostled her as they walked by. She loosened her hold and she and Lorenzo parted slightly. Lita licked her lips. Lorenzo rubbed a finger over her lips. Lita moaned softly. The breath seemed to breeze through her, awakening her slowly, joyfully, as Sleeping Beauty woke for the Prince’s kiss of true love.

“I love you, Lorenzo.”

He kissed her again then held her close. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.

They stood for a minute, the sounds of their breathing, the traffic and talking flowing around them, the rhythmic beat of waves on rocks.

“I’d like to go tell Sal.” Lorenzo stepped forward. Lita kept herself against his side.

“Why didn’t he come with you to Uncle Enzo’s? He told me he’d try.” They walked slowly to the car.

“He had to work. Besides, he and Uncle Enzo still have their issues.”

Lita clasped her hands as she sat in the passenger seat. Everything should be perfect, everyone should be happy. This was their fairy tale come true. She wanted the happy ending now, not more strife.

Lorenzo slid into the seat next to her. His scent swirled around her in the hot car. She resisted the pull in her stomach to lean into him, to wrap herself next to him and forget everything else.

He caressed her cheek. “No one’s going to keep us apart.”