Evelina

(xxix)

Evelina

"Papà, just for today. Tony and I want to go on a date. I've not been on one for ages. Please," I pleaded into the phone, pacing the living room while Tony leaned against the wall, smirking at my antics.

Papà's deep, amused chuckle rumbled through the speaker. "Sometimes I wonder if you're still a mother, Eve," he teased.

I huffed dramatically, leaning on the edge of the couch. "I am a mother! But I'm also your favorite daughter."

"Hmm," he mused, clearly enjoying my desperation. "Drop Lizzy off with us, then. Her grandparents miss her."

Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but grin. "Thank you, Papà. You're the best."

As I hung up, Tony stepped closer, his hands slipping into his pockets as he tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, your plan worked. What's next, love?"

I gave him a teasing smirk. "Next? You're going to take me somewhere special, Antonio Giannino. I've been cooped up with diapers and bottles for months."

He chuckled, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me close. "Somewhere special, huh? And here I was planning on just grabbing pizza and calling it a night."

I laughed, swatting his chest. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me," he murmured, leaning in to brush his lips against my temple. "But seriously, Eve, you deserve more than pizza. Tonight's about us. No mafia business, no baby cries—just you and me."

His words sent a warmth spreading through me, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You're good at this, you know."

"Good at what?" he asked, his voice dipping into a soft rasp.

"Making me fall for you all over again," I whispered.

Tony's eyes softened as he pressed his forehead against mine. "That's the plan, love. Always."

---

Tony had outdone himself. As soon as I walked into the garage, I saw him leaning against his favorite car—a sleek black Mustang he rarely let anyone touch. The sight of him, dressed casually in a leather jacket and jeans, his signature smirk firmly in place, made my heart skip a beat.

"What's this?" I asked, gesturing toward the car.

He straightened up, spinning the keys around his finger. "A date, Eve. Something different. Thought you might like a little adventure."

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "Adventure? Tony, last time you said that, we ended up outrunning a rival gang on motorcycles."

He laughed, the deep, warm sound filling the garage. "Relax, love. No mafia business tonight. I promise. Just you, me, and an open road."

I hesitated for a moment, eyeing him suspiciously, but the mischievous glint in his eyes was impossible to resist. "Fine," I said, grabbing my jacket. "But if this involves anything illegal, I'm holding it over your head forever."

He grinned, opening the passenger door for me. "Deal."

---

An hour later, we were flying down the coastal highway, the salty breeze tangling my hair as I leaned out of the open window. Tony had the music blasting—classic rock, his favorite—and every so often, he'd glance over at me, his smile softening into something that made my heart ache in the best way.

"Where are we going?" I shouted over the wind.

"You'll see," he replied, his tone annoyingly cryptic.