Chapter 19

Marco marched Buffy out of the dining room, through the kitchen, out the back door, and across the yard to the driveway. He stopped and glared at her. "You are being a bitch, and the only person you are hurting is Julian."

"No, you are hurting Julian. You're teaching him that it's okay to be nosy and I'm trying to teach him that it's rude to stick your nose into other people's business. And you're also hurting him by showing him that it's okay to be a player and not build a good and strong relationship with a woman."

"Oh, so you're going to throw it all back on me. You're not taking any responsibility for any of this?"

"Marco, I love you, but you have to start minding your own business. And assuming that I'm sleeping with Antonio is just so wrong. First of all, neither one of us are ready for that yet, and secondly, I don't sleep with anyone unless I'm going to marry them."

"I know, and I'm sorry for that. I just didn't expect him to be sitting at your kitchen table eating breakfast and drinking coffee. I should have trusted both of you. I really am sorry, Buff. I just want what is best for you and Julian."

"I can take care of myself, you know. I hate to tell you this, but I'm not your baby sister anymore."

"Buff, you will always be my baby sister."

"So, forgive me?" he asked, holding out his arms.

"Ok," she said grudgingly. "But you have to promise to stop meddling in my life and let me live it. I really want to see where this goes with Antonio."

"You like him, huh?"

She nodded. "I do."

"Ok, I can live with that."

"And no showing up at my house after I have a date to find out how it goes?"

"Not unless you call me."

"Deal."

He scooped her into a huge bear hug. "Thanks, Buff. And I'm sorry you got sick. I didn't mean to make you sick."

"Thanks, Marco. I still don't feel too great, but I didn't want to disappoint Julian. You know how he loves Sunday dinner and spending time with Mom."

"And so do you."

"Of course I do. It's the only day of the week that I don't have to cook an entire dinner. I just help her out."

He took her hand and they started walking toward the house. He opened the door for her and she stepped inside.

Antonio looked up as they entered the dining room. "Everything okay?" he asked quietly as she took her place at the table.

"Yes," she said as she picked up her fork. "He is out of the doghouse."

"About time too," Marco said as he picked up his beer. "I'm getting tired of not having a place to hang after shift."

"That's what Molly's is for," Antonio reminded. "My sister is part owner. They need all of the support they can get."