“Let’s go watch the game,” Cristiano said heartily. “My father’s already in there, keeping an eye on Esme and Jack. You coming, Cabrera?”
“What game?” Rodrigo said.
The other two men laughed. “It’s Thanksgiving, isn’t it? The Cowboys. Come on.”
“Men and sports,” Hallie sighed with a fond smile, shaking her head as the men disappeared.
“This way.” Still holding Lola’s baby, Tess led them down the hall to a gorgeous kitchen which looked completely untouched.
“We’re still waiting for our pots and pans,” she said apologetically. “Stefano offered to buy everything new and have it delivered yesterday, but I just want our old things from Sicily. I didn’t think you’d mind eating off the caterer’s plates.” She bit her lip, suddenly looking worried. “You don’t mind, do you? Is it tacky?”
“Not at all,” Hallie said soothingly.
Looking around, Lola said in sudden worry, “But we’re having a real dinner, right?” She added apologetically, “It’s just that it’s Rodrigo’s first real Thanksgiving—”
“Don’t wor
ry.” Tess’s round face broke into a big smile. “Dinner’s being catered from one of the best restaurants in the city. Well, except for the rolls and pies. Those are being brought by my cousins. Did you hear? They’re running the family bakery now.”
“Your cousins!” Lola was astounded. “But they’re so young!”
“Just a few years younger than we are. Old enough to know what they want in life.” Tess’s smile lifted to a grin. “But obviously still learning the business. They called to say they’re running a little late.”
“But I’m sure Tess didn’t really drag us into the kitchen to talk about pie.” Hallie leaned back against the spotless marble counter, her dark eyes piercing. “What’s going on with you and your new husband, Lola?”
“And how could you have a wedding without us?” Tess looked suddenly hurt. “We should have been bridesmaids. Just like you were for us.”
Lola’s first instinct was to refuse to explain, to make an excuse, to grab her babbling baby out of Tess’s arms and wander into the front room to join the men watching football.
But suddenly, her heart was in her throat. Tears lifted to her eyes.
“Lola?” Hallie said.
“Lola, are you all right?” Tess said.
Her friends looked shocked. They had never seen her vulnerable before. Lola had always prided herself on being the strong one. She was the bossy one giving them advice, not the other way around.
“I’m sorry,” Lola whispered, wiping her eyes. “I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Do you want a cupcake?” asked Tess anxiously.
“A glass of wine?” asked Hallie.
It was so typical, Lola unwillingly laughed through her tears.
Then, with an intake of breath, she told them everything.
Her poverty and helplessness as a child, seeing her mother work herself to death, seeing her stepfather injured, disabled and finally sent to prison for trying to sell drugs. How Lola had felt, being responsible for her baby sisters when she was still a child herself. How, after their mother’s untimely death, the girls had been dragged away from her, their screams still ringing in her ears. How she’d felt at eighteen, seeing them happy in another family, having forgotten her completely.
“I decided that money was the only thing that mattered,” she whispered. She looked down. “I did some things I’m not proud of.”
Hallie patted her shoulder. “We all have. It’s part of being human.”
“Oh, Lola.” Tess looked heartbroken. “I never imagined. You always seemed so tough.”
“Like nothing could hurt you,” said Hallie.
Lola choked out a laugh, then wiped her eyes. “I pushed you guys so hard, while I was a coward in my own life.”