Bellissimo Lotta (Beautiful Struggle): Companion Novel to Bellissimo Fortuna (The Family Trilogy Book 2) by Leigh Ann Lunsford Page B

. two steps forward and three back. Or give him an inch, and he’ll take a mile.
     

     
     
    “So are you going to prom with Dakota?” Callie asks me.
    “Yes.”
    “And you’re still sticking to the story that y’all aren’t a couple?”
    “We aren’t.”
    “Bullshit. You date. You have sex. You’re joined at the hip. You bicker. But you aren’t dating?”
    “He’s important.”
    “Holy shit, Binks. You sound like you’re quoting The fucking Help. You is important. One day you are going to open your eyes, and I pray to God it isn’t too late. “
    “Thank you, Dr. Phil . Tell me how all your advice is working for you? Is Bronson boning you yet? Has he petted the kitty? How many screaming orgasms have you had? You worry about your love life and let me worry about what Dakota and I are doing.”
    I hate being mean to my best friend, but no one else knows what’s best for me, and this is working. For now. It’s been three months, and it’s working . I don’t want to rock the boat. No labels. No expectations.
    “Okay, Binks. I’ll back off, but don’t let him slip through your fingers.”
    “He’s too large for that, Callie. My fingers don’t touch when I wrap them around his . . .”
    “STOP! Okay I get it.” We both crack up, and all is right in our world again. “I just love you and want you to be happy.”
    “Why do you think I’m not, Callie?”
    “I just know how great it feels to be in love. I want that for you.”
    “That works for you. But don’t try to fool me. I’ve seen many tears shed over your frustration with my brother. Don’t get me wrong, you love him, he loves you, and most of the time you’re both disgustingly all over each other. I know he’d kill for you, but don’t tell me everything is a bed of roses.”
    “No relationship is perfect.”
    “Exactly why I don’t want one. Too much drama, too many expectations. Expectations lead to disappointments . . . no thank you.”
    She shakes her head at me, trying to figure out what she can do to change my mind. She won’t. She can’t . She’s loved Bronson for as long as I can remember, her dream is him. I don’t begrudge her that, but I don’t need anyone else’s opinion regarding how I live my life. “Okay, I’ll back off. Let’s go get prom dresses.” I see her text; I’m assuming to my brother, letting him know where we’re going. I can’t be accountable to anyone, so what Dakota and I have works fine.
    Prom night arrives, and I’m edgy. All these words like ‘date,’ ‘couple,’ ‘high school sweethearts’ are clouding my brain with everyone throwing terms at me. My dad is quiet as he watches Callie and I stand with Bronson and Dakota. He thinks of Callie as his daughter. He must wish she were after all the shit I’ve given him. I still need to talk to him, apologize for what I said, but I haven’t found the courage or the words.
    “You look beautiful,” Dakota says in my ear. I look at my dad’s face, and he’s not comfortable with this show of affection.
    “You may want to step back about four feet if you value your life.” I move my eyes in my father’s direction.
    I hear him swallow, fear evident in his expression. After nine giant steps back, he halts and stands tall. I can’t help but giggle. He narrows his eyes at me, his signal to let me know there will be payback. Bring it.
    “Sei bella.” My dad stares at me.
    “Really?” I don’t know why I need his reassurance. I’m not that girl.
    “Bianca, you’re stunning. You’ll always be my baby girl. La mia bambina. Per sempre.”
    “Ti amo, Papa.”
    “And I love you. Go have fun.” He kisses my cheek, my forehead, and steps away.
    In the limo Dakota is relentless. “You still haven’t talked to him?”
    “No.”
    “Bianca, don’t wait until it’s too late. Remember life isn’t guaranteed.”
    “Lay off, Dakota. I’ll handle my own shit.”
    “No you won’t. You don’t handle shit. You sweep it under the rug,