Chapter 12 - THE FIRST TIME HE SAID HE LOVED ME
It happened on an ordinary Tuesday.
No gala.
No expensive restaurant.
No dramatic confession beneath the stars.
We were in my kitchen.
Lily had fallen asleep on the couch.
Giovanni was washing dishes.
I stood beside him drying plates.
He looked at me.
“What?”
I smiled.
“Nothing.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Jessica.”
I laughed.
“I was just thinking.”
“Dangerous.”
I nudged him.
He smiled.
Then said:
“I love you.”
I froze.
The plate nearly slipped from my hands.
“What?”
Giovanni turned off the water.
He faced me.
“I love you.”
My eyes filled.
He continued.
“I love the way you fight for your daughter.”
A tear slipped down my cheek.
“I love that you never pretend to be impressed by my money.”
He smiled.
“And I love that you tell me when I'm wrong.”
I laughed through my tears.
He took my hands.
“I don't know what kind of future we can build.”
His voice softened.
“But I know I want to build it with you.”
I looked at him.
Then whispered:
“I love you too.”
Giovanni closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked almost relieved.
May you like
Then he kissed me.
And the world outside my little kitchen seemed very far away.
