When It Falls Apart (The D'Angelos, #1)(100)

“Because Dante is gorgeous. You’ll see.”

Brooke laughed, leaned closer to Luca. “I have all the Italian man I need right here.”

Gio said something in Italian and pulled his sister away, giving Luca and Brooke a moment alone.

Luca ducked them into an empty corner of the restaurant and into his arms. After a kiss that shouldn’t have taken place in public, he released her lips and looked in her eyes. “You’ve made me the happiest man on the planet.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I say that every day.”

Brooke melted into his gaze. “My whole world had to fall apart in order for us to meet and land here. Now I have a partner and someone who truly loves me.”

“With all my heart, amore.”

“Thank you, Luca.”

“For what?”

“Giving me the fairy tale.”

“You can have it sooner if you let me.”

She was so close to giving in. “Tell you what. If I get pregnant before December, we do it your way. If I don’t . . .”

There was a very devilish gleam in Luca’s eye. “Challenge accepted.”





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


Every book requires a village to write, this one even more than most based on the content within its pages.

Thank you, Holly Ingraham, for helping me see past the parts that were personal and perhaps didn’t need to be told, and fine-tuning everything else. Working with you is always a pleasure.

Maria Gomez and Amazon Montlake for believing in my work and giving me the freedom to write the stories I need to tell.

Jane Dystel, for every email, phone call, and kick in the pants. You’re more than an agent and always will be.

Angelique, my sister from stepmom number three . . . Thank you for being there the day I found “those letters.” The ones written in my own hand so many years ago that brought me right back to my teenage days, when I was so desperate to be heard and loved. For standing beside me and letting me cry on your shoulder and let out all the emotion I didn’t realize I was holding in. I love you, sis.

Ellen, for helping clean the filth, sift through the trash, count the change, and sell the condo. Love you, lady.

To my dad, who I doubt will ever read this book. Some might read this and wonder many things about you . . . and about me. The past few years have been a constant struggle. And yes, there have been times I’ve sat and wondered why . . . why am I doing all I am doing, and how did I ever get to this place? But the bottom line is always very simple. I love you. You have always been good with your grandsons, and that’s what has mattered to me most of all. You and I do not see eye to eye on many things, but we have somehow come to a place where we can laugh at our differences or at least say our piece and move on.

Except for that stupid car.

Seriously? WTH?

But in the end . . . I do love you. And am here for you.

Now to Tim.

I honestly cannot think of the last few years and not see you. You were, without a doubt, the most unexpected light in all of this crazy. You held my hand when I cried so many times, I lost count. You stayed on the phone with me for seven hours as I crawled my way through traffic until two in the morning when I finally pulled into my driveway in San Diego. You have given me a mantra that I try to repeat often: “In the worst-case scenarios, the worst case almost never happens.” Your friendship with me cost you your friendship with my father, and for that I am truly sorry. I can’t thank you enough for the countless hours of unselfish time you dedicated to me and my father. Not only when liquidating the shop but moving him out of the condo. You even put up Christmas lights. Never once did you ask anything in return. You go around telling everyone you hate people . . . but I’m here to tell you, people love you. My family is blessed to know you. With every inch of my being . . . thank you.

And one more tiny word to the reader . . .

My dad was married five times, not four.

See . . . this is a work of fiction.

Catherine





BOOK DISCUSSION QUESTIONS





Do you think the title fits the story? If not, what would you have named the book?

What do you think the main themes of the book are? How do friends and family factor into those themes?

Early on, we see protagonist Brooke break up with live-in boyfriend Marshall. Have you ever had to break up with a long-term love? What was the catalyst?

The book takes place in a post-pandemic reality. What do you think the author got right and what do you think has changed (or will change)?

Brooke’s relationship with her father is complicated by a thorny past, yet she continues to support him. Do you agree with her choice to take care of him? Why or why not?

Dating someone with children can be difficult. How do you think Luca and Brooke handled their relationship around Franny? Are there things you would have done differently?

What was your favorite aspect of the story? What emotions did it evoke?

Have you read other books by this author? Which one was your favorite?

If you could ask the author anything about the story, what would it be?