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Sal tipped his head toward Tony.“There’s nothing you can hide from him.Honestly, I think he knows what you’re going to do before you even decide to do it.”He bent close, mock-whispering in her ear, “It’s creepy.”

Tony rolled his eyes.“If they’re coming in, I’m going to train them to be guard dogs.”He walked out before either of them could laugh.

Catarina did laugh anyway, a delighted, bubbling sound.“Guard dogs?My puppies?I’d pay to see that!”When they were alone again, she looked up at Sal.“You really don’t mind?”

“Mind?”he scoffed, but his eyes softened.“Cata—”

Whatever he’d been about to say was cut short by her squeal of joy as she launched herself at him.Sal caught her easily, though he stumbled a step before steadying.Her happiness was so pure, so radiant, that his chest ached.

“I love you!”she blurted, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.Then she realized what she’d just said and pulled back.Her eyes widened and she looked up at him, flustered.“I was just—I mean—I didn’t—”

But Sal only tightened his grip, carrying her to the sofa and sitting down with her straddling his lap.She squirmed, embarrassed, but he held her hips firmly in place.

“Say it again,” he ordered, his voice low and rough, sliding his hands beneath her sweater.

“You…should…uhhm…” she faltered, her blush deepening.

“You should tell me you love me,” he rumbled, his mouth brushing hers, “or I’ll have to punish you.”

Her lips twitched as she wrapped her arms around his neck.“Promise?”

His growl vibrated against her throat as he pinched her nipple, swallowing her gasp with a kiss.“I love you too,” he confessed fiercely.“Damn it, Cata, I love you so much you make me crazy.”

Leaning closer, she whispered against his mouth, her lips trembling with the truth.“I love you, Salvatore Romano.You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.I know that’s not a very high bar…but you’ve made me happier than I ever thought possible.”

“Even though I still haven’t taught you how to drive yet?”he teased, his voice low and rough.

She froze, her eyes going wide.“That’s right!”she gasped, suddenly trying to wriggle off his lap.“You’ve broken our wedding vows!”

Sal threw his head back and laughed, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.Before she could escape, he stood up with her and hooked an arm around her waist while pulling her firmly back against him.“Then I’ll just have to remedy that very soon,” he growled, nipping at her neck.

Her laughter rang down the hallway as he carried her toward the stairs, her face tucked against his neck.

Neither of them paid much attention to Tony striding past in the opposite direction.The man snorted, muttering under his breath, “Again?”as if it were the most predictable thing in the world.

Epilogue

“Gianna,youmaynotwear your snow boots to school on Monday!”Catarina called out to her seven-year-old daughter, her voice strained with that special mix of patience and desperation only mothers could understand.

Barbara chuckled from the doorway, earning a sharp glare from Catarina.

“But, Momma, Ilovemy snow boots!They have the sparkly stuff on them!”Gianna twirled, her little curls bouncing as reflected sunshine danced across the hallway walls.

Catarina sighed as she wrestled with the zipper on her daughter’s winter coat.Unfortunately, Gianna was too entranced by her sparkly boots to cooperate, spinning like a disco ball on a sugar high.Not to mention Fuzz and Rusty—two of the puppies that had stayed with their mother dog, MD.The younger dogs liked the idea of spinning and decided to get in on the action.They waddled over and licked Gianna’s cheeks enthusiastically.It wasn’t affection; they were after the leftover syrup from breakfast pancakes.

“Sal!”Catarina called in exasperation, just as her husband strolled down the hallway carrying five-year-old Rocco under one arm like a sack of flour.

“I think you’re missing something,” Sal remarked dryly, bouncing the boy once, which only caused the little tyrant to shriek with laughter.“Does this happen when you’re teaching art classes at school?”he teased.

Catarina groaned, ignoring his question.“Rocco, how did you—?”

“I suspect you were distracted by the lovely sparkles on this lady’s boots!”Sal boomed dramatically, bending to ruffle Gianna’s curls.She giggled louder, while Rocco—now upside down thanks to his father’s antics—kicked his legs like a gleeful maniac.

“Are you going to be okay outside today?It’s still pretty cold,” Sal commented, straightening his son out before the boy made himself dizzy.

Catarina peeked out the window.The snow had finally stopped, leaving a fresh white blanket sparkling under the sun.“There’s zero chance we’re keeping these two inside now.The sun’s out, which means they’re basically feral.”

“Hold up—I’ll come with you,” Sal said, casually hoisting Gianna onto his other arm like carrying two children was just part of his daily workout routine.“You’re just taking them to the park across the street, right?”