Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

and says “What?” I take a deep breath and tell him everything that Becca and I have talked about. He doesn’t say anything after I tell him, but he grabs my shoulder and says, “We’ll be here to help you bro.”

I look at him and say, “Thanks man.”

Reese looks at me and asks “Are you scared?”

“To fucking death”, I chuckle.

We both laugh and Reese says, “Are you okay?” I know he’s talking about Sina and not Becca. I close my eyes and look over to where she’s sitting.

“I can’t tell her to stay because she deserves better than what I can give her right now. But I would be lying if I said that my heart wasn’t fucking breaking.”

He looks at me and says confidently, “She’s going to be alright bro. She’s strong and one of the special ones.”

I clear my throat and tell him with absolute certainty, “She’s my Leila.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sina

Five months later...

It’s been five months since we’ve been back in New York. It took a little while for us to get back to our lives. Emma’s still having a hard time being away from everyone and it breaks my heart every time I hear her sniffles, or when she’s on facetime with her uncles, aunties, and especially when she’s talking to Mama. The night we left she begged me to let her stay in Washington with everyone, but I couldn’t because I would have been so lost without her. I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be the second time I left home. I didn’t think I was going to cry, but when we made our way to our gate my heart was heavy. I didn’t expect to see pretty much everyone there to see us off, but a little part of me was hoping he would show up. I wasn’t disappointed because I knew he had his own life now with more important responsibilities and I couldn’t be upset about that. I haven’t talked to him since the last time I said goodbye to him at our family get together. He texted me a few times, but I never responded back because it hurt too much and it still does now. I keep myself busy so that way I don’t have time to think about him. But when I do, all I do is cry myself to sleep and I hate it. Which is why I am so grateful to have Marino here with us, it makes it a little easier for me to be normal.

He was offered a higher position here with his work, so he’s been living here for about three months. He has his own place, but it seems like he lives with us. Emma and I don’t mind when he’s here, it’s like having a piece of home with us. Marino helps a lot with Emma and the little bit of heavy lifting that I have around the house. When I told the girls that he was moving here, they all said we should just get married since they all approved of him. I laughed it off and told them no way. I know Marino wants more than just a friendship, but it wouldn’t be fair to him because my heart belonged to someone else. He is an amazing man, he’s just not for me.

“Hey gorgeous.” I look over my shoulder and see Marino walking to meet me in the kitchen. Oh and did I mention that he still gives me little sparks of butterflies? Yeah, talk about mixed emotions. I can't stop myself from smiling, the more time I spent with him the more my feelings got confused.

“Hey handsome,” I say. He winds his arms around my waist and I know he sniffs me because I hear it. “You’re so weird,” I giggle.

He looks at me and says “What? I can’t help that I love the way you smell.” I feel my face getting warm so I hide my face in his chest. “Aww, did I make you blush?”, he teases. I dig my face deeper into his chest and shake my head no. He chuckles and says “I love making you blush.” He grabs me by the chin and lifts my face so he can see me. “Hey,” he says softly.

I know my face is getting redder “Hey.” I say back.

He looks down at me then he leans in and kisses me on the cheek. I close my eyes and sigh. He steps back and asks, “Have you eaten yet?”

I smile at him and say, “ I’ve ordered some Chinese for dinner.”

He smiles and says, “I’ll be back. I’m going to go take a shower then we’ll have a t.v. dinner. How does that sound?”

“Sounds good, I’ll get the plates and forks ready. What do you want to drink?”

“I’ll have root beer” he says before he disappears in the hallway.

“Emma, sweetie are you ready for dinner?” I hear her running down the stairs

“Yes Mama. What are we having?”

“We’re having Chinese and I made sure to order extra eggrolls for you baby girl.”

She smiles at me and says, “Thank you Mama.” She helps me by grabbing napkins and cups for us. “Are we eating in the family room?” she asks.

“Yup.”

Emma smiles and says, “I love t.v. dinners.” We make our way to the family room and start setting everything up. We both settle in our spots as Marino walks into the room.

“Hey honey girl”, he says to Emma.

Emma blushes and says, “Hi Rino”, as leans down and kisses her forehead.

He takes the open spot between us, “I’m starving” he says.

I shake my head at him. “We have to do prayer first.” He gives me his smile and my heart flips. I reach for Emma’s and Marino’s hands and we pray; “Fa’afetai Iesu foa’i mai mea’ai e ai iai matou le fanau. Amene.”

I try to pull my hand back but Marino holds on to it and adds on, “Thank you for blessing