Free Renzo (The Ciprianos of Kellington) by Jamallah Bergman Page B

isn’t my
girlfriend and if she was my girlfriend that would be none of your damn
business.”
    It got quiet on her
end. Finally, she said, “Whatever.” Then the phone went dead. He laughed.
Quickly he dialed up the antique shop hoping she hadn’t been over there to
cause trouble.
    “Timeless Treasures,
this is Jaslyn.”
    “Hi, Jaslyn, it’s me
Renzo. Listen has anybody been over to your shop since you got back?”
    “Actually, your ex came
in here just a couple of minutes ago. I didn’t know who she was until Delia
told me.”
    Damn. He prayed nothing
had happened. “What did she do?”
    “Oh, just came in and
looked around the place and then at me. Said she had seen all she needed to see
and left.”
    Thank goodness, he
thought to himself letting out a deep sigh when he heard her say nothing
happened. “Well I’m glad she didn’t cause a scene, she called me up and told me
that she had met my new girlfriend.”
    “Oh, really?”
    “Yeah, really, I had to
laugh and tell her that wasn’t true. Somehow she knew you and I had lunch
together today. She hung up on me.”
    “Well, you don’t have
to worry. I know how to handle someone like her.”
    “She’s always trying
her best to make me unhappy.”
    “I’m sorry that she
does that to you, it’s not right.”
    “Oh, it’s all right, just
as long as she doesn’t bother you anymore.”
    “I want to thank you
again for lunch.”
    “I really enjoyed the
time we spent together today. Oh yeah, I plan on sending you another bouquet of
flowers tomorrow.”
    “You don’t have to do
that.”
    “I know I don’t, but I
want to, Jaslyn.”
    “You don’t have to send
me flowers every day thinking I’m going to like you because you give me such
nice things.”
    “But I want to just
because.”
    Jaslyn giggled. “You’re
crazy you know that, Renzo.”
    “Only thing I’m crazy
about is you, Jaslyn.”

 
    * * * *

 
    Her heart jumped into
her throat. “Why did you tell me what you told me when we walked to the front
door?”
    “I meant what I said,
if only you let me into your life, Jaslyn, I would treat you like the queen you
are.”
    It sounds too good to
be true, she thought. “I don’t know what to say.”
    “You don’t have to say
a thing, just think about it and let me know. I don’t want to rush you, la mia bellezza , but do expect some flowers tomorrow.”
    Jaslyn laughed shaking
her head at his determination. “Fine, I’ll be waiting for them. Take care,
Renzo.”
    “You too, Jaslyn, have
a great day.”
    The rest of the week
seemed like some kind of fairy-tale for Jaslyn. The following day she got not
one, but two big bouquet of flowers. She decided to go out for lunch by herself
this time and went to the farmers’ market for some fruit. When she tried to pay
for it, the man told her, “It’s already been paid for, ma’am.”
    Confused as he handed
her the bag she asked, “What do you mean it’s already paid for?”
    “Just as I said, ma’am,
it’s already paid for.”
    Another gift from Renzo
she thought. She nodded and walked away while reaching into her bag to get a
plum. It tastes so good, she thought as some of the juice dribbled down her
chin. Wiping it off with her napkin, she made her way back to work.
    “Oh, Ms. Whitman!”
shouted someone from behind her. She turned around to see Mrs. Cipriano with
Gianni and another man walking toward her. They all had big smiles on their
faces when they saw her. She was happy to see Mrs. Cipriano again.
    “Why hello there, Filomena . Hello, Gianni. How’s everyone today?”
    Filomena started to say
something, but looked over at the man on the phone, poking him she started
spouting something in Italian and he got off the phone. “It’s so good to see
you. It’s such a lovely day out today. I don’t know if you’ve met my sons,
Gianni and Simone.”
    “I’ve already had the
pleasure of meeting Mr. Gianni. He came to see me about a mahogany desk.”
    “That’s right,