Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Father

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I smile down into my cup of tea, enjoying the fresh herbal scent. My belly is full of scone, and I’m listening passively as Daniel explains the ins and outs of some new philosophical theory that he’s learning about for his class.

I don’t really care about it, but it’s nice to hear him think through something about which he’s passionate. It’s really a gorgeous day – the sun is shining in little pieces through the grape leaves that wrap around the pergola, and I lean my face back to enjoy the warmth on the soft skin on my cheeks.

Next to me, I hear Daniel laugh a little. “Are you even listening to me anymore?” he says.

“No,” I reply, smiling. “But that’s okay, it’s good to hear you talk.”

He laughs again, a soft thing, and then takes my hand.

“It’s nice, Fay,” he says, and I open my eyes to look at him, seeing him smile at me. “That you enjoy listening to me, even when you’re not hearing my words.”

I squeeze his hand and return his smile, considering him.

It’s funny – I was so in love with him for the few months that we were dating. Or, at least, I thought I was. Maybe “obsessed” was a

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more appropriate term, but either way, I couldn’t stop thinking

about how handsome he was or how much I wanted to kiss him.

Just to kiss him, small, chaste things. But I had wanted so badly

be kind to me. To treat me like

his treasure.

After everything I’ve learned about his life–our life? It’s all just… gone.

my best friend, my ally in this crazy world. I want the absolute best for him and know that he feels the same

away.

wonder, passively, when the next time I’ll have a

my

against the first thought that comes to my mind,

helps to

all right, Fay?” he

thumb lightly over his fingers, thinking about what my father said

at me, slightly curious. “What prompted

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mostly, I guess. You just seem… such a mismatch for this world, most of the time.

never left. Never just… bailed on it.”

my world. I

steal, like, one of his cars,

falls open at the

if you have access to that

French Riviera, change

days just drinking wine and writing

we want!”

hand a squeeze before pulling his back to reach for his

a beautiful dream, Fay,” he says softly.

we could do it,” I say, my face eager.