Begin Again

| Chapter Forty-One |

NINE more chapters to go, y'all! It's such a bittersweet feeling knowing that their love story is ending soon. But Ruth and Raffo will always have our hearts forever afterwards! This story has been so memorable for me in so many ways, and I hope it's felt the same with you guys. I don't think I've ever written a love story this genuine before, and considering it's my first ever sequel, it's made me realize how far I can push the boundaries with writing literary fiction.

Anyways, enjoy! We're nearing the end!

Raffo's guilty smile was nothing against the glare that sprouted in the wake of Johnny's trying ass taking her seat. His treacherous brown eyes were round with innocence and his bottom lip pouting just a little when Ruth opened her mouth, ready to give him a piece of her mind. Did she not tell him to save her a damn seat?

Johnny's sly smirk made her want to lean over the chair and strangle him.

And Ruth wasn't the only one.

"Oh, no you don't," Terry growled behind her shoulder. She leaned forward, took hold of Johnny's ear in a tight grip, and forced him over two chairs so that the one beside Ruth would be open for her. He winced and chanted a few 'ow's' but ultimately moved to his newly assigned seat.

"Damn, woman!" he groaned, massaging the skin after she released him. "Just grab the braid next time, shit. The hell was that for?"

"You took my cousin's spot. And because you tried her, I'm taking what could have been your new spot. Chicks before dicks, babe," Terry said, offering Ruth a wink.

"That's cold," he grumbled, then leaned over the back of Terry and Ruth's chair to look at Raffo with theatrical longing. "I'll have to catch up with you later, handsome. The girls may be major cock blockers right now, but nothing can block our love! A'ho!"

Raffo chuckled, shaking his head.

"Fuck you, Johnny. Am I not good enough for you anymore?" Dakota scoffed beside Johnny, placing a hand over his chest.

Johnny wrapped a playful arm around Dakota's shoulder. "Aww, don't worry, Kody baby. You know I got love for you, too."

Ruth shook her head. Raffo tried to place his hand on her thigh, but she pushed it off. His little pout wouldn't get him off the hook so easily. "Baby—"

"I don't want to hear it, Leflore," she grumped, stubbornly.

"I tried to save you the seat, but Johnny—"

"Sounds like an excuse to me."

Raffo changed his tactic. Smart man.

"You're right, I'm sorry," he apologized. "I'll give you a bite of my pasta to make up for it?"

Ruth narrowed her eyes, disgusted. "Is that all I'm worth to you? A bite?"

He groaned. "Fine. As many bites as you want."

She pondered his deal for a second. "Good enough," she allowed, grabbing his hand and putting it on her thigh again.

Raffo pressed a kiss to the side of Ruth's head. She pretended to lean into it, when she was really leaning across the front of him to grab a bread roll and put it on her plate. He chuckled. "So rude."

"You call it rude. I call it being resourceful," she said, sticking her tongue out.

Raffo squeezed her thigh and turned to talk to Eddie about the big day tomorrow. Ruth munched away and turned her head to find her parents talking to Jana's at the end of the table. She spoke to them briefly when they came, but her father was busy catching up with family and making up for those lost years.