The Italian's Doorstep Surprise

“That’s our baby,” he whispered, and he lowered his head to kiss her.

It was barely a peck, just a friendly kiss. But still. It reminded her of the kiss he’d given her last night, a kiss that had made her want to forget every warning of self-preservation and fall into his arms.

But Honora had learned her lesson. No matter how interested and patient he seemed now, she knew his attention would wane. He wasn’t the kind of man who would ever settle down—especially not with someone as average as Honora.

As they left the doctor’s office, Nico held her hand, and in his other he clutched the ultrasound image of their baby. He kept smiling down at it. And it made hope rise unbidden inside her.

Did he really want to be a father? Did he mean it? Would it last?

Honora’s phone rang.

“Are you back in the city?” Her grandfather’s voice sounded odd.

“Yes, we’re coming from my checkup.”

“We? Your fiancé is with you?”

“Granddad, he’s not—”

“When is he bringing you home?”

“Now.” The sooner the better. Being with Nico was starting to make her want things she shouldn’t.

“Good. Your doc’s in midtown, right?”

“Near Lincoln Center—”

“See you soon.” And her grandfather hung up. She stared at the phone with a frown, wondering why he was acting so weird. He’d acted weird last night, too. Not the bit with the rifle but afterward, when he’d pretended to be old and tired so he could return to the city immediately.

Had it just been an excuse to leave Honora and Nico alone, so they’d pick a wedding date? Or was it something else?

As she walked down the sidewalk in the bright July sunshine, a wave of foreboding went through her.

Nico said suddenly, “What do fathers usually drive? Minivans?”

“What?” She looked up, confused.

Seeing her face, Nico gave a low laugh. “I must sound like an idiot,” he said ruefully as he opened the passenger door of the Lamborghini. She climbed in, carefully lowering herself into the low-slung seat. “I just don’t know much about them.”

“Babies?”

“Fathers.”

Had he spent no time with his father at all growing up? “You don’t need to rush out and buy a minivan. You already have tons of cars,” she told him when he got in the driver’s seat. “Just choose one with a b

ack seat. An SUV is fine, or even a sedan like the Bentley.”

She regretted mentioning the Bentley almost immediately. As he started the engine, he shot her a questioning glance.

“Rossini’s in love with you, you know.”

Honora looked out the window as they drove down the street. “Are you sure you don’t mind driving all the way to Queens? I could take the subway.”

“Of course I don’t mind, and don’t change the subject.”

She gave a regretful sigh. “I know he is,” she said in a small voice. “But I’m not sure what to do about it.” She tilted her head. “What do you do? You must have lots of women fall in love with you.”

Nico snorted. “No.”