The Woman from the Past (Grassi Framily)

I took every opportunity to go, too. Not just because I wanted them to like me because they were important to Massimo, but because I genuinely liked being around them.

And when I wasn’t with his family, I was with Massimo himself, going out to eat, cozying up in bed, talking about the future.

Still not sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, I started spending more time at the winery.

And that was where I got to see a whole new side of Massimo.

I’d already met the version of him that was kind and loving with his female family members. And his teasing side with the younger men. And his fierce side when something negative impacted the Family.

But the side of Massimo where he was calm and collected and knowledgable about wine and his winery in particular? Yeah, that was way hotter than I could have anticipated. So hot, in fact, that I couldn’t stop myself from sneaking into his office, locking the door, and making him take me on the desk.

“So, what did—“ Traveler started, getting cut off by Valley as she dropped down on her other side with a glass of wine nearly filled to the brim.

“Don’t judge,” she said, looking uncharacteristically down.

“If that doesn’t cut it, we can sneak outside and have fun with the devil’s lettuce,” Traveler said, giving her an understanding smile. “What’s his name?”

“Headmaster Sterling,” Valley declared before tipping back her glass and gulping down her wine.

“Out of curiosity, when you say Headmaster Sterling, am I supposed to envision a balding old man who is out of touch with reality, or a sexy dude with a little salt and pepper who I might not object to taking a ruler to my ass?”

“The latter,” Valley grumbled.

That fancy school of hers had their old headmaster retire at the end of the last school year. Which meant she’d been dealing with this Sterling guy for a couple of months only. And he was already having her gulping down wine.

“Let me guess, he is also a cocky, condescending prick?” Traveler guessed.

“Have you met an attractive man in power who wasn’t a cocky, condescending prick?” Valley shot back.

“Fair point. Out of curiosity, is he aware that you are mobbed up?” Traveler asked, getting a snort out of Valley. “I’m just saying, if I had that going for me, I’d be using it to my advantage all the time. Oh, you want to steal my parking space? Bam, guys in suits waiting for you when you get out of the store. This might be why the universe has not let me be a part of the Family,” she mused.

In unison, both Valley and my eyes drifted in August’s direction.

“Oh, no,” Valley said, shaking her head. “Absolutely not.”

“I think she’s protesting too much, so it’s an absolute yes,” Valley mused.

“That’s what I’ve been saying.”

“You guys are ridiculous. That’s never going to happen. But you and your new sexy headmaster? That is almost definitely going to happen.”

“No way in hell.”

I sat there listening to them going back and forth for a few minutes, a small smile tugging at my lips.

Because I was pretty sure it was going to happen for both of them one day.

And I couldn’t wait to watch them have to eat their words.

Cammie - 2 years

It was ridiculous to be as upset that Massimo was gone as I was.

It wasn’t the first time he’d been away. It wasn’t even the tenth time he’d gone away.

That said, though, it was the first time he’d been away since we had our baby.

See, I’d been hiding a little secret under the forgiving material of my wedding gown.