Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Shit.
“The big guy knows Bella would be devastated if her Auntie Charlotte didn’t show up to celebrate the big 1-0 with her. Everyone knows that.”
Welp, there’s the hidden message I was worried Carlo actually came to deliver. The mention of Mr. DiMarco’s name was Carlo’s way of reminding me what’s at stake. That, combined with Carlo’s comment about “everyone” knowing I’d never miss Bella’s birthday party, was obviously Carlo telling me the party is a command appearance for me. Non-negotiable. The only question is whether Carlo’s mention of Mr. DiMarco was also his way of letting me know his boss is onto me? Is that the true meaning of his comment, and he’s being cryptic, due to Auggie’s presence—or am I being paranoid?
I squeak out, “Is Mr. DiMarco coming to the birthday party?”
“He wouldn’t miss it.” Fuck. I should have known. Carlo’s sister’s dead husband was Mr. DiMarco’s nephew. That’s how Carlo started working for Mr. DiMarco in the first place fifteen years ago—through close family connections.
“So, here’s the thing, sweetheart,” Carlo says, leaning his burly back against the opened doorframe. “That thing that needs fixing? You’re gonna have to fix it sooner than expected—before the birthday party.”
My heart stops. According to the invitation, the party is less than two weeks away.
Carlo continues, “I know that’s a much quicker turnaround than we talked about initially, but my hands are tied here, sweetheart.”
Why is Carlo talking about this with Auggie standing here? It’s so unlike him. He’s normally incredibly discreet. “Let’s take a walk and talk about this,” I choke out. “Auggie doesn’t need to be bothered about all this.”
“Actually, I’d love to hear about it,” Auggie says, stepping forward. He smiles at Carlo. “Whatever’s going on, I’m here to help.” He turns to look at me, his blue eyes blazing. “You know that, babe.”
Babe?
Huh?
What?
“I knew it!” Carlo says. “I just wanted Charlotte to tell me herself.” He wags a playful finger at me. “You don’t need to keep your engagement a secret from me. I know I was a jealous motherfucker when we dated, but I’m married with a baby now. Of course, I’m nothing but thrilled you’re engaged. In fact, this news is going to help me out with Genevieve, to be honest. You have no idea—that woman’s got a jealous streak even bigger than mine.”
“Carlo, he’s my next-door neighbor,” I insist. “Nothing more.” I glare at Auggie. “Tell him the truth, Auggie.”
“We got engaged a week ago!” Auggie booms. “Man, it feels good to finally tell somebody that.”
“Congratulations!” Carlo says, rushing over to shake Auggie’s hand, which prompts Lucky to growl and squirm in the crook of Auggie’s arm. “Treat her right, my man, or else,” Carlo says to Auggie, clapping his shoulder and glaring playfully.
Auggie chuckles. “I will. Forever and ever.”
“Good man.”
What the fuck is happening? “Carlo, I swear on all things holy, this man is—”
“She’s helping me save face because I haven’t bought her a ring yet,” Auggie interjects, his palm at the side of his mouth like he’s sharing a secret. “When I asked Charlotte to marry me, it was a spur of the moment kind of thing, so I still need to get the ring.”
“I asked my wife the same way. Spur of the moment. Didn’t make it any less real.”
“Exactly. Something just comes over you and you have to seize the moment.”
“Amen. Best thing I ever did. No offense, sweetheart.”
“None taken. I’m thrilled you’re so happy. But I’m not in the same boat as you because—"
“The larger point I’m trying to make here, Carlo,” Auggie says, “is that you and Charlotte can talk about anything that concerns her in front of me. In fact, I’m requesting you do that, man to man. Charlotte’s going to become my wife, and that means, if she’s got a problem or something to fix, then I’m going to be the one to help her fix it.”
“That’s right. That’s what any fiancé worth his salt would do.”
“And I’m Charlotte’s fiancé.”
“So I’ve heard. You love her.”
“I do.”
“You’d take a bullet for her.”
“Yep.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Auggie. Good man.”
“I try to be.” Auggie winks at me. “I keep telling you, babe: you don’t need to keep secrets from me. If you’ve got a problem, then I’ve got a problem. We’ll figure it out together.”
I’m going to faint.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Carlo says. He turns to me. “Sweetheart, stop glaring at him. He didn’t let the cat out of the bag. I already knew about your engagement when I got here. I just wanted to give you the chance to tell me about it, yourself.”
“What do you mean you already knew?” I ask.
Carlo chuckles. “I went to your friend’s bar yesterday looking for you, and the bouncer told me you’d been there the other day with your new fiancé.” He motions to Auggie. “If this strapping young buck ain’t him, then your actual fiancé’s not gonna be too happy you’re spending quality alone-time in a cramped space with this guy. I’m telling you right now, if I swung that way, I’d be all over this hunk of man like white on rice.”