THE WOMAN HIS FAMILY DIDN'T WANT

Evelyn Moretti arrived on a Tuesday, dressed in cream silk and carrying an expression that suggested the house had disappointed her before she'd crossed the threshold.

"Sophie Vance," she said when Margaret introduced us. "I've heard a great deal about you."

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Moretti."

"That remains to be seen."

At dinner she questioned my education, my job, and how I'd met Dante. Her questions were perfectly polite on the surface and cruel underneath. Dante put down his fork after the third one.

"Mother, Sophie is my guest."

"I'm only trying to understand her intentions. People can be very interested in a man with your resources."

My face heated. "I understand why you want to protect your family. But earning less money than your son doesn't make me dishonest."

Evelyn's eyebrows rose. "You speak your mind."

"When it's important."

Dante looked at me with open admiration, which probably did nothing to improve his mother's mood.

Later, while I helped Leo select a new book, Evelyn came into the library.

"You shouldn't become too attached to people who may not stay," she told him.

Leo went still. "Is Sophie leaving?"

"People have lives, dear."

I crouched to Leo's level. "My schedule hasn't changed. I'm coming on Thursday at three, and we'll finish the model. If anything changes, I'll tell you."

He studied my face. "You promise to tell me?"

"I promise to communicate with you."

He turned toward his grandmother. "I don't like it when you talk about Sophie that way."

Evelyn looked startled. She left without replying.

That night Dante found me in the garden. "My mother was wrong. I've told her so."

"I don't want Leo caught in the middle of a fight about me."

"Neither do I. I'll make it clear that adults handle adult disagreements."

"And if she never accepts me?"

"I hope she will. But my choices are mine."

He took my hand and waited until I met his eyes.

"Sophie, I don't want to keep calling what we're doing a few dates. I care about you. I want a real relationship, if you want that too."

I wanted to say yes. The word pressed against my throat.

Instead I thought of Danny's last phone call, Isabella's empty place at the table, and Leo asking whether I would disappear.

"I'm falling for you," I confessed. "That's why I'm scared."

Dante lifted my hand to his lips. "You can be scared. I won't rush you."

I kissed his cheek and went home carrying a happiness I hadn't yet learned how to trust.