The Broken One (Corisi Billionaires, #1)(69)

Did they know why I was there? It seemed that way.

Sebastian’s mother turned to Ava. “I heard you like puppies, and I just happen to have one. Would you like to meet her?” She held out her hand. Ava took it and happily followed her into the house.

We stepped into the house, and it was easy to find Ava. She sat on the floor of the kitchen in a round playpen with a blonde puppy licking her face. “Isn’t she beautiful, Mommy? Camilla said I could name her.”

“That’s a big responsibility,” I said lightly. Especially if they think she’s leaving with us.

Sebastian bent to whisper in my ear. “Dad says the puppy is theirs. They wanted Ava to have a friend when she comes to visit.”

Emotion choked my throat, making it impossible to speak at first. “I don’t know what to say.”

He kissed my cheek. “I’m hoping for a yes.”

I laid my head on his arm. “Is this the big question?”

“I’d like to hold off until my brothers are here, but you tell me. Now. Later. I don’t care as long as the answer means you become a Romano.”

I couldn’t resist. I asked, “What is the ring like?”

In my ear he growled, “Oh, so big.”

I pushed him away playfully. I couldn’t go there with him, not with his parents a few feet away. “Behave.”

He chuckled.

His mother called my name. “Heather, Sunday is a seven-course meal. Would you like to learn some of our family recipes?”

“Sure,” I said, reluctantly leaving Sebastian’s side.

The next twenty minutes turned into a sad mockery of a cooking lesson. She rattled off ingredients, half of which I had never heard of. She looked concerned as she watched me cut the vegetables, as if I were a child wielding a knife for the first time.

When she asked me to stir the gravy, I stood there at a loss. There was pasta sauce on the stove, but gravy? I didn’t see any.

I was about to admit defeat when Ava joined us. After washing her hands, she climbed up on a stool Camilla set beside the table for her.

“Mommy doesn’t know how to cook,” Ava announced.

Camilla looked at me with a small smile. “I guessed that.”

“She didn’t have a mom to teach her. If you teach me, I’ll teach her.” Ava rolled up her sleeves as if ready to do just that.

I hugged my daughter from behind. “I would love that.”

“Me too,” Camilla said. She explained to Ava that gravy is what her family calls pasta sauce. I relaxed as they chatted. I might not be a good cook, but my little Ava was turning into a pretty wonderful person anyway.

“Mommy”—Ava pointed at a pot of green beans—“look, it’s like at Erica’s house. They cook their vegetables too.”

I smiled awkwardly at Sebastian’s mother.

Her answering smile was kind. “You eat raw vegetables, Ava? They’re so good for you. Your mom is one smart woman.”

Ava tipped her head back and smiled at me. “She is. She’s my second mom. I’m adopted.”

“I’m the second mom for my youngest son,” Camilla said. “He’s my favorite.” She ducked down and said in a conspiratorial voice, “Don’t tell any of them I said that. They all like to think they’re my favorite.”

“Am I your favorite, Mommy?” Ava asked.

I kissed the top of her head. “Absolutely.”

She climbed down from the stool. “Can I go play with the puppy again?”

Camilla nodded, so I did as well.

Once Ava’s attention was back on the puppy, I said, “Thank you, Camilla, for being so kind to her.”

Camilla wiped her hands on a towel. “Heather, my son loves you. I know meeting all of us today must be a little scary, but you brought joy back to Sebastian’s life—we love you for that already. I don’t care if you can cook. Just take care of my son. He’s a good man.”

“He is.” It wasn’t just the diced onions that were making my eyes water. “And he’s so good with Ava.”

“She’s a lovely child. If you’re here for the reason I think you are, I’d love it if you let her call me Nonna one day.”

That was it. I started crying happy tears and walked right into the arms Camilla held out for me. I couldn’t remember what it was like to be hugged by my own mother, but that thought didn’t make me sad anymore. When I stepped back, I wiped my eyes and said, “I’m sorry. I’m not usually a crier. I’ve always wanted Ava to have more family than just me.” I sniffed.

“If I say I hope you call me Mom, will you start crying again?” Her tone was gentle.

Tears welled in my eyes again, and I nodded.

Sebastian appeared at my side. “Heather? Everything okay?”

“I love your mother,” I proclaimed through my tears, and he relaxed.

He put an arm around my waist. “That’s good. I love her too. Mom, everyone is here. Do you need help in here?”

“No,” she said. “Introduce Heather to your brothers. Ava can stay with me and . . . Ava, what is the puppy’s name?”

Ava called back, “Sara.”

“Sara it is,” Camilla said.