Fragile Longing

“Hello, Sofia. I’m just calling to wish you a happy birthday. I had a busy day yesterday or I would have called.”

I smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s okay.” I was delighted at how smooth my voice sounded, as if I weren’t nervous at all.

“I hope you had a good day.”

“Yes, I did. Umm . . . I got a cellphone.”

I hoped he’d ask for my number.

“That’s nice.”

“I could give you my number in case you need to reach me.” Nothing smooth about my voice now. I sounded like a dork.

Danilo cleared his throat. “That wouldn’t be appropriate. If I need to reach you, I’ll give your father or brother a call.”

My stomach dropped and heat blasted my cheeks. “You’re right,” I pressed out.

There was a moment of silence before Danilo said, “I have a meeting now. Have a good day.”

“You, too.”

When the call ended, I kept the phone pressed to my ear for a couple of heartbeats before I finally lowered it and looked up.

Fina stood in the doorway to the dining room, frowning as she watched me. “Are you okay?”

I desperately wanted to talk to someone. In the past, that someone would have been my sister, but now a barrier had sprung up between us. It wasn’t Fina’s fault. She still tried to talk to me often, but it felt awkward sharing my silly feelings for her ex-fiancé with her. Especially considering how much she had to deal with right now. She’d soon be a single mom to two babies. My problems were absolutely ridiculous in comparison.

“Yes, Danilo wished me a happy birthday.” I bit my lip. “Did he ever congratulate you a day late?”

Fina walked toward me, though it was more of a waddle because of her giant belly. “I don’t remember.” She touched my shoulder, her eyes searching mine.

I wondered if she really didn’t remember or if she simply said it not to hurt my feelings.

“Maybe it would be best if you forgot about your engagement to Danilo until you’re a bit older? You still have many years before you have to marry him. Have fun with your friends until then, and just don’t think about him.”

I wanted to do what she said, but my brain seemed to have short-circuited and all my thoughts revolved around Danilo.I’d taken Fina’s words to heart and forced my thoughts away from Danilo whenever they’d returned to him. I’d been successful, mostly due to the fact that I hadn’t seen him in months. The birth of my niece and nephew seven months ago had also helped. Two babies needed plenty of attention, and Fina was happy to have any kind of help she got. Because of all the time we spent together, we’d grown closer again.

It was early December when the sound of footstep woke me up and drew me out of my room. Fina stood in the hallway, both twins in carriers and a backpack on her back.

She looked up. Shock flashed across her face as if I’d caught her in the act. It was late, so she couldn’t have any appointments with the twins. Mom was already asleep, and Dad, Sam, and Uncle Dante were busy. Of course, nobody had bothered telling me what kind of business they had to conduct—not that they ever did, but the level of secrecy they’d all kept made it clear that whatever it was, it was important.

The moment Fina’s eyes met mine, I knew something was wrong.

“Where are you going?” I asked, my heart clenching tightly. Fina looked like she was about to run away.

Fina’s expression softened. “I’m leaving. I have to.”

I hadn’t expected Fina to tell me the truth. My parents and Sam usually gave me a sugarcoated version of events.

“Because of Greta and Nevio?” I stopped beside my sister. Both Nevio and Greta were asleep in their carrier, looking tiny and adorable. I loved cuddling them. “You’re leaving us,” I whispered, realizing I might never see them again. If Fina ran away, I wouldn’t be allowed to see her.

“I have to, ladybug. For my babies. I want them to be safe and happy. I need to protect them from the whispers.”

I hated the way people badmouthed the twins. They were only babies, but people hated them because they looked like Remo Falcone, the enemy. I leaned down and kissed their chubby cheeks for the last time. I wanted Fina to be happy, and she hadn’t been since before the twins were born. Everyone always stared at her as if she were an alien. Still, the idea of losing Fina and the twins cut me deeply.

“I know what people say about the twins, and I hate it. But I don’t want you to go . . .” My voice broke.

“I know. Give me a hug.”

I hugged her tightly, trying to memorize everything about her. Her crisp Calvin Klein perfume, her smooth hair, her warm hugs.