Thirst (The Calvettis of New York 1)

I haven’t told Gina about April yet. She loves my Pop. They may not be related by blood, but their bond is strong.

I’ll have to hold Gina’s hand through this too and I can’t do that until I know exactly what we’re facing.

I called in a specialist this morning. Once she’s had a look at April, I can sit down with the family and share the news.

“I’m busy, Gina.” I know I sound brusque, but I’m running on two hours a sleep a night and coffee.

“You need to see what Dexie did for grandma.”

I don’t need to see that. A thread is holding my heart together. It’s tenuous.

We stand at the light waiting to cross. “What did she do?”

I’d rather hear about it than see it. Once I walk into Calvetti’s Marti will take one look at me and know my world is falling apart around me.

“You’ll see,” she says before starting across the street.

I follow one step behind her until we reach the door to my grandmother’s restaurant.

Gina pulls it open and walks in. I follow wishing to fuck that I wouldn’t have answered that call.

***

“It’s beautiful, Rocco.” Marti swings her purse in the air in a circle. “Just look at what she did for me.”

I can’t look at it anymore.

It’s too much.

All of this is too fucking much for me.

“I bought all of these from her today.” Gina glances over at the array of handbags she placed on the table next to us.

“I already posted one to my Instagram.” She waves her phone in my direction. “Over twenty thousand likes already. Dexie’s business is about to blow up.”

“You saw her today?”

Both Marti and Gina look over at me. I heard my voice. It doesn’t sound like me.

Gina’s oblivious to the pain in it. “I was with her right before I came here.”

I clear my throat. “How is she?”

Marti turns in her seat to look right at me, but she doesn’t say a word.

“She seems sad.” Gina shrugs. “I don’t know Dexie very well, but she seemed sad.”

“Gina, get me a glass of red wine.” Marti’s arm flies in the air. “Take your time.”

Gina’s eyes are glued to her phone. “In a minute. My post about Dexie’s purse is blowing up.”

“Go.” Marti looks over at her. “Now.”

“Fine.” Gina pushes to her feet. “I’m grabbing one for myself too.”

Marti waits until Gina is out of earshot. “That’s not a surprise.”

I smile faintly. “How are you, Marti?”