Page 137 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

“So,” she starts again. “How does it feel?”

“What?” I frown slightly. “How does what feel?”

“Being a father again.”

Again.

Like it’s something I can pick up where I left off.

Like it’s not something that burned down with everything else.

“Well…” I flip another piece, the rhythm of it anchoring me in the present instead of the past. “It doesn’t feel like before.”

“No?” She asks.

“No,” I shake my head slightly. “It’s… different.”

“How?”

“Before,” I start, “It was mine from the beginning.”

I glance out across the yard, the space already set up, chairs arranged, table ready, everything in place for something that hasn’t happened yet.

“This…” I gesture vaguely, like I don’t have the right words for it. “This feels like stepping into something that already exists.”

“I hear you.” Atelia nods slowly.

“You hear me?” I huff a breath. “Quite helpful.”

“You want helpful or support?” She asks.

“Neither.”

“Too bad.” She pushes off the counter, stepping closer, her eyes flicking briefly to the grill before landing back on me. “But I get that it can be frustrating since you don’t get the luxury of figuring it out slowly.”

“I’m aware.”

“Are you?” She tilts her head. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re trying to control every variable like that’s going to make this safer.”

“It will.”

“It won’t.”

“Lia, can you stop being a pain?” I look at her.

“I don’t know, can I?” She holds my gaze, unmoved.

I don’t respond, I scoff and turn back to the grill.

“Well.” She sighs, but it’s softer now. “For what it’s worth…”

I glance at her again.

“You look good doing it,” she finishes.

“Thanks.” I snort. “That’s both helpful and supportive?” I tease dryly.

“And I’ll be both for the rest of the night.” She smiles, giving a mock bow.