Page 103 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

“Have you talked to your girl?”

I hesitate, and nod. “Last night.”

“How’d it go?”

“Not well.”

“I didn’t think so.” Elio looks at me shrewdly. “You’re still not acting like yourself, Dante.”

“I”m trying.” It’s not a lie. I really am. But I don’t even know if I’m the same person, anymore. The Dante before Samantha and the Dante after… they’re two very different guys.

I don’t know if I’m either of them, anymore. I’m some third thing, twisted and monstrous. Because I want to cut off all of Reese’s fingers for touching her waist.

“What about you?” I ask, trying desperately to change the subject.

Elio blinks at me, nursing a drink. “What do you mean?”

“Olivia,” I answer, and his mouth twists in a bitter smile.

“I don’t know if she’s done waiting for me or not.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He groans and sighs, then runs a hand across his face. “She’s not answering my calls.”

I hum. “You’d better go after her. Before it’s too late.”

“You’re a one to talk.”

“At least I talked to my girl last night. Can you say the same?”

Elio’s mouth sets in a hard line. “Don’t fucking start, Dante.”

“I’m serious,” I say, looking right at him. “You’re Mr. Follow Your Heart until it’s about you, and you’re what? Worried you’re cheating on a ghost?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “Always is.”

He goes quiet and so do I, neither of us wanting to reveal more. We watch Reese and Samantha dance, me with my teeth grinding so hard my jaw aches, Elio with a soft smile on his face.

“Always wondered if those two would find their way back to each other,” he muses, and my eyes snap to his.

“What?”

“They used to date in high school. A brief period when they were about sixteen.”

My blood runs cold. So all this time, Reese has been an old boyfriend?

He’s kissed her?

Touched her?

Red hot rage replaces the chill in my blood and my hands twitch, wanting to turn into fists.

“There had to be a reason it didn’t work out.”

“He wouldn’t be a bad choice for her. He’s not Italian, but I don’t care about that. I just want her happy, and look at her. She’s glowing.”