Michelle glances up at me. “I’m so happy for you, Angelo.” She wraps her arms tightly around my middle and sighs.

“Thanks, Michelle. I never thought I’d feel this way again.”

I can see the sadness she tries to hide. “I knew we’d never work. I love you, though. Always have and always will.”

“I love you too, Michelle.” How could I not love her? She’s been a part of my life since we were little kids. Although the spark was there, I didn’t have the deep need to make her mine. It’s unexplainable, but there was too much history between us to make it work.

“I met someone too,” she says as she grips my side. “He’s a big shot producer for a cable network.”

“Does he treat you well?”

She nods. “So far.”

“If he doesn’t, I’ll fly out to LA and kick his ass.”

She smacks my arm. “Don’t be silly. You know I can kick his ass all by myself.” She laughs.

“That ain’t no lie.”

Daphne and Michelle could bring any man to his knees. Lucio and I made sure of it. We taught them how to fight dirty so they could defend themselves against any asshole on the streets. That was our duty as Daphne’s brother, and since Michelle didn’t have anyone at home to teach her those skills, we took her under our wing too.

“I better go. I want to talk to Daphne before I catch my plane. I’m only here until tomorrow to pick up some last-minute things I left behind.”

I lean forward and kiss her cheek, saying goodbye to another person in my life. “Don’t be a stranger, kid. You’ll always be a part of our family.”

“I hope you find some peace, Angelo,” she whispers in my ear before kissing my cheek.

“I have,” I tell her as I release her.

We walk toward the booth where my mother, Daphne, and Delilah are sitting, but there’s no Tilly.

“Where’s Tilly?”

They look at each other before turning their gazes on me.

“She said she’d be here in a minute, but that was a while ago.” Ma shrugs. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”

Daphne pats the leather seat next to her and motions to Michelle. “Sit.”

I peer out the windows, but the street is empty. My stomach knots because something’s off. “I’m going to check on her.”

“God, I hope we didn’t scare her off,” Delilah says as I start to walk away.

I back up, not liking how that sounded because I know exactly how these three ladies can be. I narrow my eyes on Ma. “What happened?”

Ma takes a slow sip of her beer, staring at me over the rim with wide eyes. I cross my arms and wait, because I need answers, and I’m not going anywhere until I get them.

“Nothing.” She doesn’t look me in the eyes.

I lift an eyebrow. “Nothing?”

“The girls just told her about the virility of the Gallo men.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, worrying she’s been scared off by a day of shopping and Gallo gossip.

“Oh, come on.” Daphne rolls her eyes. “She was laughing. We didn’t traumatize her. She’s probably busy with something. We did monopolize her time all day.”

I glance toward the doorway again. “I’ll be back. So help me God…”

“He’s such a worrywart,” Daphne says as I push through the front door and leave.

I pull on the door to the bakery, but it’s locked and the lights are off. “Fuck,” I groan as I peer up at the sky and close my eyes.

I storm back into the bar, ignoring my mother as she calls out to me and head into the office to grab my keys. There’s no text from Tilly, but I send her one as I head toward the parking lot.

Me: Where are you?

I stare at my phone as I walk toward my car, hoping she’ll reply, but she doesn’t. The message doesn’t even change to read. There’s radio silence, and her car’s missing.

“Angelo,” Daphne calls out from the doorway as I climb into my car. “Where are you going?”

“She’s gone.” I slam my door, not needing to say anything else.

My hands are shaking as I turn the key in the ignition. I place my phone in my lap and pull out onto the street, heading toward her place. To add to my aggravation, traffic is a bitch, and there’s an accident on Western Avenue.

A half hour later, I pull in front of her apartment building. Before I’m out of the car, Roger steps outside and closes the main door.

“Where is she?” I stalk toward the entrance.

Roger crosses his arms, and his nostrils flare. “She doesn’t want to see you.”

I narrow my gaze. “I don’t understand.”

Roger raises an eyebrow and doesn’t move. “I should really kick your ass.”

My head jerks back, because I’m confused as fuck. “For what?”

“You hurt her.” He widens his stance, puffing out his chest.

My heart races as I drag my hand through my hair, still not understanding what’s going on. “How?” I take a step forward, but he puts out his hand and blocks me.

He ticks his head toward the street. “Just go.”

I throw out my arms, because there’s no way in hell I’m leaving until I know exactly how I fucked up. “I’m not going anywhere. Not until you tell me what the hell is going on.”

“You know what you did.”

This guy is cryptic as fuck. I didn’t do a goddamn thing. I worked all day, and then the girls came back. Nothing else happened.

“Man, come on. Help me out here. I’m totally at a loss. Just let me talk to Tilly.”

He shakes his head. “I thought you were better than this. I never would’ve let you near her if I knew you were such an asshole and a player.”

Player? I draw my eyebrows together. “I am not and have never been a player.”

The only person I’m seeing and am completely in love with is Tilly. There’s been no one else in my life.

Roger grunts.

“Tilly!” I move forward, and Roger hits me square in the chest. I look down at where our bodies are touching, and I tighten my fists at my sides. “I’m being nice because you’re her best friend, man, but let there be no doubt… You won’t stop me from seeing her.”

“Why don’t you go bother the other woman you’re seeing?”

I widen my eyes as I stagger backward. The other woman? Michelle. Fuck. My stomach drops, and my heart rate speeds up. I cover my heart, feeling like someone’s sucker-punched me right in the gut.

“I’m not seeing anyone else, Roger. There’s only Tilly. If you’re talking about Michelle, she’s a family friend and nothing more.”

He sneers. “Tilly saw you kiss her.”

My muscles tense. “On the fucking cheek, man. I’ve known her since I was in elementary school, and she’s moving out of state.” I close my eyes for a second and try to control my anger. “I was saying goodbye to her.”

He shakes his head. “That’s not how Tilly saw it.”

I point toward the door, but I don’t move. “Let me explain.”

“No. I think it’s best if you leave.”

I peer down at the ground, knowing I can’t just go. That’s not how I’m wired, and I’m not going to let whatever Tilly thinks she saw fester until it’s an unhealable wound.

“I’m not leaving.”

“Then we have a problem,” he says as his top lip curls.

“Roger.” I stare him straight in the eyes. “I love Tilly.”

“Hmm,” he mutters, raising an eyebrow.

I push up my sleeves, determined to see her even if I have to spill my guts to a virtual stranger. There’s no one more important in Tilly’s life than Roger, and if he has to be the first one to hear the words, so be it.

“I mean it. I love her. Not just as a friend, but as so much more. I haven’t felt this way about another person since Marissa died. I know it’s crazy.” I rub the back of my neck, wishing I were saying these words to Tilly and not her brother-in-law. “I know it’s fast and probably doesn’t make much sense to you. But Tilly and I were meant to be. We’re fated. It’s destiny. She’s captured me completely. I freaking love her, Roger. I don’t throw that word around without meaning it either. I love Tilly!” I yell the last words, hoping like hell she can hear me.

He turns and glances toward her apartment. “She can’t hear you.” He drags his hand down his face and groans. “What a fucking mess.”

“Please,” I beg. “I need to talk to her.”

“Listen.” He kicks at the ground, finally relaxing his posture. “She’s fragile.”

“I know,” I whisper because I understand everything she feels so completely it’s ridiculous.

“I’ve known Tilly for a decade, and the only other man she’s ever been this crazy about was my brother.” He shakes his head slowly and stares at me. “If I let you in, you have to promise me you’re going to love her hard, be faithful forever, and always protect her.”

“I swear. I’d never hurt her,” I promise because I’d put any man who made Tilly cry in the ground.

You’re that asshole right now, Angelo. I grimace, knowing how badly I fucked up.

“If you’re playing her or lying to me, I will hunt you down.”

I nod quickly. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

He stares off into the distance and sighs. “She’s going to have my balls for this.”

“She won’t. I need to talk to her. I want her to know what she saw was nothing.”

He rubs his neck and steps to the side. “Make shit right. Tell her how you feel. She needs to hear it.”

I reach for the door handle and stop, turning to face Roger. “I will. I swear.”

He juts his chin toward the building. “Go get her. She’s in her bedroom.”

I take the steps two at a time, holding my breath the entire way until I’m inside her apartment. Before I reach her bedroom door, I stop and peer into the room. Her body’s draped across the bed, and she’s crying.

My heart breaks as I push open the door.

“Roger?” she asks without turning around.

I step inside and close the door, ready to set shit right.