Mallory shoots a wary glance at Jeff. “That’s commendable, but it doesn’t change our concern. That was a difficult time for Hilary, and I’m not convinced that having you here . . . reminding her of it, is in her best interest.”
“Mallory,” I warn through a tight jaw. You’d swear from the conversation that I must be five years old.
Her gaze becomes sharp as it cuts to me. “I worry about you, okay? It’s a habit that doesn’t die easy.”
“I understand your concern, Mallory,” Alessandro says, his eyes slipping to mine again, “and I shared it at first. I was worried about what I would find when I went looking for Hilary, and when I found a beautiful, capable woman, I worried what seeing me again might do to her. I even left, trying to protect her, but the truth is, I loved your sister then, when we were both so broken, and despite myself and my best intentions, I’ve fallen in love with her all over again. As long as she’s willing, I intend to be a part of her life. I’d also like to be a part of Henri’s, if you’ll allow it.”
“He’s not ready to know the truth,” Mallory says, her voice suddenly sharp.
“I respect your decision as a parent as to what’s best for your children. All I ask is that I’m allowed to know both Henri and Max. I would like to be a friend to them, and to you.”
Mallory’s face pinches. “I’m just . . . it’s too easy to slip, to say something without realizing it. And, no offense intended, but I don’t know you from Adam. How can we be sure you won’t change your mind and tell him, or petition for custody?”
Alessandro leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “You were there for Hilary when I abandoned her. You’ve been a constant positive in her life when she’s so desperately needed one. And your son is the amazing child he is because of his parenting. I would never dream of doing anything to hurt him, or you.”
She and Jeff exchange a look and Mallory produces three stapled pages of white paper from the side table. “Would you sign this petition to waive your parental rights?”
Alessandro reaches across me and takes it from her shaking hand. He reads over the first page, then looks at me with a question in his eyes.
“I had to sign one when I gave Henri up for adoption,” I tell him.
He nods slowly then shifts his gaze to Mallory. “Do you have a pen?”
The tension in the room seems to palpably bleed out as Mallory hands him a pen and he signs.
Jeff squeezes Mallory’s hand and pushes up from his chair. “Thank you, Alessandro,” he says, extending his arm.
Alessandro stands and shakes his hand. “Thank you for being there for Hilary when she needed you.”
Jeff gives him a nod. “Dinner is just about ready,” he says, turning for the kitchen, “ . . . if we haven’t killed your appetite,” he adds with a teasing smile over his shoulder at me.
Dinner conversation is lighter. We tell Mallory and Jeff about our Thursdays and Jeff asks Alessandro for information on Pizza for the Masses. Mallory suggests the High Line in the spring if we haven’t seen it and Alessandro adds it to his list.
When we’re through and Mallory packs up a bag of leftovers for Alessandro, I can’t help but smile. He has her stamp of approval. As much as she wants to, even she can’t resist him.
As we’re standing on the subway platform after making the transfer from the PATH, Alessandro scoops me into his arms and kisses me. “I’ve been dying to do that all night,” he says when he pulls away.
I raise my eyebrows at him. “What took you so long?”
“I was trying to appear the gentleman for your sister, and I knew if I started, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.”
“You can’t keep your hands off me?” I say, running a hand seductively over my hip.
He smiles and leans in to kiss me again, his hands gliding over my curves, leaving me gasping for air.
He nips my bottom lip between his teeth and tugs gently. “Take me home with you,” he whispers against my lips.
I trace a finger down his abs to the button of his jeans. “You don’t think maybe we should slow down a little?”
His perfect mouth pulls into a sexy half smile and there’s a wicked spark in his eye. “Oh, I intend to go tortuously slow.”
The muscles in my belly contract as the tingle between my legs becomes a hot, pulsing ache. I grin with the rush and bump him with my hip. “Two can play at that game, mister.”
His hand slips to my ass as the train whooshes into the station, and if he’s not careful, everyone on the E train is going to get a show.
I WALK INTO the 115th-Street library determined not to be scared anymore. And when I look around, I see there’s no reason to be. The gang’s all here, except Mike.
Nathan smiles from across the circle and gives me a little wave.
“Irish! Long time no see!” Quinn shouts. “How’s our resident celebrity?”
“Way to steal her thunder, Quinn,” Nathan says.
I stop in my tracks. “How did you hear?”
He winks. “An old guy like me knows people.”
I step into the circle and Quinn wraps me in a bear hug. “I’m proud of you, Irish,” he says lower, just for me.
“Thanks, Quinn.”
“We’ve got a celebrity in the house!” he announces to the group, clapping me on the back. “Irish is getting ready to take Broadway by storm.”
“Off-Broadway,” I mutter, embarrassed.
“Tell everyone about your role.”
“The production is called Don’t Look Back, and it’s opening at Theatre Row in April. It’s a contemp about two sisters who have . . . issues. I’m Rene, the younger sister. Our mom is kind of psycho and I’m her favorite, which seriously screwed up my older sister. We basically hate each other at the beginning because we’re so different, but then our mom dies and we’re stuck together going through all her stuff, and we figure out that we’re really exactly the same.”
“And she’s comping us all tickets!” Kamara shouts.
“I will if I can,” I say, and it’s true. Being part of this group is what has kept me going for the last two years. They’ve kept me from giving up.
“Nah,” Vee says. “She’ll get all famous and won’t remember we exist.”
“I won’t. As long as you let me, I want to keep coming.”
Quinn smiles. “You’ll always be welcome here. And I think, in celebration, we need a reprisal of one of your most challenging roles.” He looks at Nathan. “You ready, Prince Phillip?”
Nathan smiles and stands as I grumble, “Oh, no.”
Quinn pulls me up by the arm. “Show us what you got, hot shot.”
I meet Nathan in the middle of the circle. “Where’s Mike?” I ask so only he hears.
He leans close to my ear. “I told the asshole to take a hike.”
“Thanks.” I take a breath. “So, you ready?”
He nods and flashes me a wily smile. “You own this prissy little bitch.”
I laugh and launch into Aurora. And I let all my soft spots show.
I always thought being strong meant pushing everyone else out and never showing weakness. What being with Alessandro has taught me is that strength is really putting yourself out there and not hiding who you are. We’ve talked a lot about our time together at the group home. He’s reminded me of the endless conversations we had. I’d forgotten how much I told him, but I’m glad I did. After everything that happened I wanted to forget myself. Talking to him has reminded me of who I really am.