Free Believe by Celia Juliano

woman?”
    “You’ll meet her later,” Grandpop answered before Lorenzo could open his mouth. “ Nipote , don’t forget to invite Gina.” Grandpop led the way out.
    Lorenzo and Vincente glanced at each other and chuckled. “He won’t be satisfied ‘til we’re all married and popping out kids.” Vincente shook his head as they walked out into the warm sunshine.
    “He’d have to be a miracle worker to pull that off.”
    “Watch it. Grandpop helped me find Gina. And you remember what my grandma Teresa used to say? Miracles happen every day.”
    “If you believe.” Lorenzo’s voice was hushed.
    Vincente glanced at him again. “There’s always a chance.” Vincente shot him a half-smile as he hopped into the seat next to Nico.
    Lorenzo scanned the horizon. The sun shone high in the bright blue sky, wispy clouds floating like angel wings, close to the peaks of the city’s hills. Heaven was close enough to reach. He just hadn’t looked up to notice—until now, until Lita.
    ***
    Grandpop faced Lorenzo as they waited outside the wide oak front door at Uncle Enzo’s. He straightened Lorenzo’s tie and smoothed the shoulders on his dark grey suit.
    Grandpop gave his noble nod of approval. The door opened. Grandpop smiled. “Ah, Sophia.” Grandpop stepped in and hugged his only niece. “You look lovely.”
    Aunt Sophia grinned and fluffed her curly, dark hair. “Thanks. Please, come in. Lorenzo. Vincente, Gina was just asking about you.” Aunt Sophia’s smile faded when she glanced at Lorenzo. “Carlo’s in the living room with her. Janetta and Paolo are in the kitchen with my dad.”
    Lorenzo frowned. She hadn’t mentioned Lita. Surely Aunt Sophia would get along with Lita.
    Vincente kissed Aunt Sophia on the cheek. “Going to say hi to Carlo. And kiss my fiancée.”
    “Where’s Lita?” Grandpop said. “I have a favor to ask her.”
    Aunt Sophia shot a grimace at Lorenzo. “I sent her to the store with Joey for a few things.”
    A burning knife edged through Lorenzo’s gut, cutting a path to his throat. Aunt Sophia’d been trying to set his cousin Joey up with girls like Lita for over ten years now, since his and Joey’s high school days.
    The front door opened. Lita, laughing, leaned into Joey’s solid shoulder. She kissed Joey’s cheek. Lorenzo closed his eyes. He wanted to be near Lita, needed her. Lorenzo shook his shoulders and opened his eyes. Lita stared at him, her smile gone.
    “Hey Lorenzo,” Joey said as he took the grocery bags into the kitchen.
    Lorenzo’s face burned for feeling envious of his cousin. Though Sophia was really his second cousin, she’d been like an aunt to him, Joey and Janetta his cousins. They’d always welcomed him into their home—hell, he and Joey used to play together, from the time they were in diapers.
    But Lita had kissed Joey. Joey had smiled. Lita’s lips were meant for him, not Joey, not any other man but Lorenzo.
    “What’s he doing here?” Uncle Enzo’s voice sounded as harsh as the burning in Lorenzo’s gut.
    “I asked him.” Lita stepped forward. Her hair waved around her heart-shaped face. Her cheeks bloomed pink, like the figure-hugging dress she wore. It flared out on her shapely calves, like a mermaid tail.
    “Lorenzo.” Grandpop pushed his shoulder. “Go in the kitchen.”
    Since Lorenzo’d been ogling Lita, he nodded and strode into the kitchen before he made a bigger display of himself.
    Their family friend Paolo sat at the wide old oak table—the same table that Aunt Angela used to knead bread dough on, or help him with homework when he was in elementary school. She had decorated the whole house and it showed especially in the bright kitchen, with its sandy white, lemon yellow, and Mediterranean Sea blue tiles, ample counter space, large white appliances, and ironwork handles on the many cabinets and drawers. Lita’d love cooking in here.
    “Joey, Janetta,” Grandpop called.
    “You’re summoned.” Paolo