Just Add Spice

“But you two still spend time together.”

“Of late, yes. More, we’ve vowed to each other. Though that currently hinges on whether I make it to dinner on time.”

Linney laughed, albeit shakily. “Give me five minutes.”

She didn’t take any longer and Jenna drove them to Vesta’s house. She’d considered calling Rafe on the way, but they were close by.

Jenna rang the bell, already hearing the noise from inside and inhaling a myriad of wonderful, co-mingling aromas that practically made her drool.

Beside her, Linney said, “Like, how many people are we talking about here?”

“I don’t know. Fifty. Sixty. Something like that.”

“Jesus, Jen.” Her eyes grew wide.

“Don’t swear or take the Lord’s name in vain in front of Vesta, please. She’s very sensitive about that.”

“Gotcha.”

A second later, the door opened and Rafe’s aunt raised her hands in the air in enthusiastic greeting.

“Here you are, cara mia!” Then over her shoulder, Vesta rattled off to everyone else something in Italian that didn’t compute with Jenna. Who decided then and there it was high time Rafe taught her Italian.

Vesta did the double-cheek kiss-kiss thing and then Jenna said, “This is my sister, Linney. I hope you don’t mind I brought her a—”

“Of course not!” Vesta kissed Linney too, and then said, “Always the more the merrier with us. Come, come!”

The petite woman ushered them inside, but Jenna pulled up short in the foyer as she spied Rafe in the living room. He turned and, in his arms, he cradled the tiniest baby, wrapped in a pink blanket.

For a moment, Jenna’s brain stalled. Her heart melted. Her knees practically gave out.

Sexy, hunky Rafe with a sweet little girl in his arms. Jenna couldn’t speak.

He grinned at her, a sparkle in his ocean-blue eyes.

Beside her, Linney whispered, “The ex?”

Jenna nodded.

“Something you forgot to tell me, Jen?” she prompted.

“The baby’s not mine. Or his.”

Mags came from the kitchen and joined Rafe. Her gaze followed his and she let out a squeak of joy. “J.! You’re here!”

Somehow, Jenna managed to find her voice. “Sorry to be late. I stopped off to see my sister. This is Linney.” Then she gestured as she said, “Linney, this is Mags and her husband Geoff. Vesta and Frank. Zelda and Joe. Vinny and Macy.” And about fifty more to go…

Gio stepped in and said, “I’m Gio, the wine guy. Looks like you could use a glass.”

Linney was clearly shell-shocked. The same reaction Jenna had experienced long ago.

“He’s Rafe’s cousin,” Jenna said to her sister. “One of many.”

“Yeah, wine would be best right out of the chute. Holy shi—cow.” Linney took deep breaths.

Gio offered his hand. “There’s a chair with your name on it along the fringes. Used to belong to Mrs. Rafe Sampogna.” He winked at Jenna. “I think you she can handle the mayhem today. And, Linney, I promise to keep the wine flowing.”

“I like you already,” Linney said with a soft laugh.