This time, when he called me baby, my hand went to my stomach. How was I going to tell him?

“Momma sent leftovers up to the house. We can eat and handle the travel arrangements. How soon you ready to leave?”

“Day after next. I need to tell Piper first and get some things finished up in the office.”

“Sounds good. That gives me time to get things squared away, too.”

When we pulled up into the driveway, Aida’s truck was parked outside, and Aida was sitting on the porch steps. Avoiding her wasn’t an option. I had no choice now.

Mase squeezed my shoulders. “Sorry about this.”

Before I could step down out of the truck, Mase was there taking my hand. I let him help me down and pull me close to him as we walked toward the house. Aida stood up as we approached. Her eyes looked red from crying, and her bottom lip trembled.

“I wanted to apologize to both of you,” she said, then sniffled. “I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble. I came back to tell you I was sorry.” She looked directly at Mase. “I miss you. I miss our friendship. I want my cousin back.”

Mase’s body seemed to relax beside me. “I never left, Aida. But you changed things. You couldn’t accept Reese, and she’s a part of me.”

Aida nodded and let a single tear roll down her perfect face. “I know. I was jealous. I’d never had to share you before. I’m sorry.” She glanced at me. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to break down like I did.”

“If you can accept Reese and understand that she’s my life now, then we can go back to being friends. You’ve been my little cousin for most of my life. I care about you. I want you to be happy. I just won’t allow you to hurt Reese. Ever.”

Aida looked as if she were pouting. But then, she had such full lips sometimes it was hard to tell. “I won’t. I promise. I want you to be happy, too.”

“Then let’s forget the past and start over,” Mase said.

Aida beamed up at him. “Really?”

He nodded. “Really.”

I wanted to believe her. But something in my gut was telling me this wasn’t sincere.

Mase

Something was bothering Reese. I couldn’t figure out what, and if I tried to talk to her about it, she went silent. It was almost a relief to arrive in Chicago. My hope was that she needed to see her new family, that she was anxious to see them again though nervous about talking to Benedetto about her past. I just needed to know that was what was making her act so jumpy.

I was used to her telling me things and opening up to me. This was different. It was like she’d put up a wall and refused to let me in. It scared the hell out of me. If this was because Aida was staying with my parents for a couple of weeks, then I’d send Aida home. I just needed Reese to tell me what was wrong. I felt so damn helpless.

Benedetto met us at baggage claim, and surprisingly, Reese headed straight into his arms for a hug. I had expected her to be standoffish until she had a chance to speak to him about everything that was bothering her.

“I missed you,” he said with a look of joy in his eyes as he held her.

“I missed you, too,” she replied as she pulled back. “Thanks for having us on such short notice.

Benedetto frowned. “Never apologize for coming to see me. My house is yours. Always, passerotta.”

Reese’s grandmother also referred to her as passerotta, which she had informed me was a term of endearment that meant “little sparrow.”

“Nonna is very anxious for me to get you home,” he added, picking up her suitcase and looking over at me. “It is good to see you again, Mase.”

“Likewise, sir,” I replied. I picked up my suitcase and placed my hand on Reese’s back.

“I’m glad you’re here. Last time, when you left, Reese’s thoughts went with you. She had a hard time.”

“I had a hard time leaving her here,” I replied.

Benedetto seemed pleased with that answer and turned to lead us out to the waiting silver Escalade that his personal driver had pulled up to the curb.

“You both sit together in the back. I’ll sit up here with Hernaldo,” Benedetto instructed. “Raul wanted to come pick you up, but his afternoon classes kept him from it. He’s very anxious to see you both again.”

Reese strongly resembled her brother Raul. It was strange looking into his eyes and seeing some of Reese there. Her brother hadn’t been bitter that he was no longer an only child but had embraced having an older sister and seemed genuinely happy to spend time with Reese.

“I look forward to seeing him,” Reese said, and I knew she meant it. No matter what pain she still harbored for her father, she adored her brother.

“Nonna will want all of your attention first, of course. She’s already ordered high tea for your arrival. I expect she’ll be in her Sunday best,” he told Reese with a wink.

Reese laughed and looked up at me. I wished she’d grown up with this life, with this loving, warm, safe family supporting her. But at least she had it now. That was something to be thankful for.

“I spoke with Nonna last week,” Reese told him. “She was asking when I’d be back for a visit.”

Benedetto nodded. “Oh, yes, she’s been on pins and needles since your call the other day letting us know you were coming.”

Once we were all settled into the SUV, the small talk continued. Reese sat close to me, letting me hold her hand in mine. Maybe this was all that had been bothering her. I hoped it was over now and I’d be able to get past that wall she’d put up.