Keep: The Wedding: Romanian Mob Chronicles by Kaye Blue Page A

would go on, living together as a family.
    That would have to be enough.
    Vasile was right. He hadn’t said why, but marriage would change things, rock the boat, and I wouldn’t make his life harder.
    What we had was good, better than, and it was enough. With that last thought, I got out of bed. I had plans for the day, and I wouldn’t waste any more time feeling sorry for myself or wishing for something I couldn’t have.
    After I showered and dressed, I went downstairs and found Maria sitting in her high chair, Vasile next to her as she ate.
    “Morning, Maria!” I said, my voice reflecting the happiness I felt at the sight of my daughter.
    “Hi, Mommy!” she said around her cereal.
    I kissed her quickly and then looked at Vasile.
    “Are you going to be okay with her this afternoon?” I asked.
    “Yes. Sorin is bringing Baby Sorin,” he said.
    Despite the awkwardness of last night and this morning, I smiled.
    “You think he’s up to it?” I said.
    Vasile returned my smile. “We’ll see. I have my money on Baby Sorin, though.”
    “Probably a good bet,” I said.
    We went silent then, and I cursed myself for speaking, for bringing this awkwardness into our home.
    Vasile stood and came to me, and when he pulled me into an embrace, I let him. He held me tight and kissed my head. Though he didn’t speak, I felt the love and affection in his embrace and before I could stop myself, I held him tighter, hoping he felt mine.
    We eventually broke apart, but he looked down at me, his green eyes intense as always until he finally looked away.
    The morning passed uneventfully, and soon, I prepared to leave.
    “Why don’t you drive today? Ioan can follow,” he said.
    I glanced at him, surprised. He’d never been crazy about me having my own car, and he’d never once suggested I drive it. I appreciated the olive branch.
    “Okay.” I hugged him and held on for a moment longer than I ordinarily would have. Then I smiled at him. “I’ll see you later.”

Six
    F awn
----
    “ S top fidgeting !” I said to Esther.
    We’d been seated in the restaurant, but Esther hadn’t stopped moving since we’d sat down. First had been the adjusting and then readjusting of her hair. Then she’d moved on to rearranging the table setting, and I had half a mind to smack her hand.
    When she reached for the wineglass, I glared at her. She returned the glare but dropped the glass.
    “I’m not fidgeting,” she said, scowling at me even after she’d finally sat still.
    “That’s better,” I said. “I can’t believe you’re nervous about meeting anyone. I thought you’d be happy. Girl time was your idea.”
    “I am happy. And the look of terror in Sorin’s eye when I left him with the baby makes me doubly so,” she said gleefully. Then her eyes darkened.
    “But…?” I asked.
    She shrugged.
    “What? It’s weird to think of meeting someone new?” I asked.
    “Bingo. This has the potential to go horribly,” Esther said.
    I chuckled. “Let’s be optimistic. And if it’s any consolation, she understands our…situation. And she’s lovely, so I don’t think there’s going to be a problem. If it is, at least we got to hang out with each other without the kids. We need to do this more.”
    Esther nodded and looked slightly more relaxed. “If nothing else, she has excellent taste,” Esther said, looking around the restaurant.
    I followed her gaze and nodded my agreement. Esther and I were pizza and wine girls, but this place was the fanciest of the fancy. We even had a private dining room so we could enjoy our meal away from the watchful eyes of the public. Not that I was particularly concerned about any special attention, but there was still a certain degree of comfort that came with being alone.
    “Here she comes,” I said as the door to the private dining area opened.
    Lily walked in, looking lovely in a bright spring dress that flattered her. She looked beautiful and about as terrified as Esther had been. Still,