Ophelia by Jude Ouvrard Read Free Book Online Page A

he’s Italian and this is an Italian bakery. There was every chance that he would run into someone he knew, right?
    “Pina! Sto bene, e tu?”
    “Hai fame? Vuoi mangiare qualcosa?” She walked closer to us and grabbed his hand and simply kept it safe in hers.
    “Si, certo.” He looked at me, his cheeks flushed. “Did you girls choose what dessert you want to eat?”
    “No, we were too busy watching you speaking Italian.” Beverly’s voice was almost too thrilled. No wonder he was blushing. She then looked at me and silently mouthed the word hot.
    “We’re here to eat cake. It’s your birthday. What are you ordering?” He was the one getting spoiled here, not us. “Come on, tell me. It’s on me.”
    “Teo, is it your birthday?” Pina asked him in her deep accent. He nodded in response. I could tell that he was a bit shy, not enjoying the spotlight. “My treat, kids, my treat. Your mom wants you to have a good birthday, Teo.” He nodded again, sadness appearing in his eyes.
    “Grazie, Pina.”
    She took him into a warm and loving embrace. I didn’t know how much they knew each other, but they were close enough for her to know the situation with his mother.
    “A Sfogliatelle, Teo?” Pina seemed to know his favorite. “And for you ladies?”
    “Surprise me,” I told her. I wasn’t able to pick a dessert. There were so many. Some I had tried, but most of them were new to me. My stomach growled at the sight of all the pastries sitting behind the counter.
    “A cheesecake, please.” Bev loved cheesecake, her obsession.
    We all sat at a small, round table nearby. I was looking at the walls of the café. There was so much history about their family. Framed pictures decorated the walls, some from Italy and some from the opening of the café. Café or bakery, I mean. They were serving coffee but they were also bakers selling fresh pastries, dessert and even sandwiches. I’d spent all my life in Brooklyn and never come in this neighborhood before. I’d missed out on a few places.
    Pina came back with the Sfogliatelle, the strawberry cheesecake and to my surprise, a cannoli. She placed the plates before each of us and left to get hot beverages. It looked delicious. The steaming cup smelled like chocolate. I couldn’t see what it was exactly beneath all the whipped cream. I brought it to my lips and tried to get a sip but it was too hot and I ended up burning my lip.
    “Wait a couple of minutes, Lia. This is the best hot chocolate you’ll ever taste.” Teo caressed my lip with his thumb and the pain was replaced by a tickling sensation.
    ... O ...
    The night had been amazing, perfect. Bev and Teo were getting along and that meant a lot. She agreed to let him moved in with us and for that I would forever be thankful. To her, he was still a stranger. She had to trust me on that one.
    It was late, very late and I was still awake in my bed. My eyes weren't tired, and my mind was going hundred miles an hour. Things had been different tonight. Teo had been more demonstrative of his affection, and I loved it. I absolutely loved it, but I was still battling with my emotions and I want to make the right decisions for my life. There was no way I could commit full-time to a serious relationship with him and I hoped he knew that. In case he didn't, I had to let him know nicely. I wasn't saying no, I was only saying not now. His kisses, his thumb on my lip, what and how I felt when he touched me, they were indescribable. I’d never felt these sensations before and it scared me because I didn't know how to react to them.
    My life at the center was about to change again. Teo was leaving while I still had several weeks left. I didn’t want to have to talk to anyone else. I had to get back to my old habit of being quiet. I could demand to be emancipated, but where would I live? I would have to change schools again and I would be farther from Teo. As wrong as it was, I didn't want that. He promised me I would see him