An Echo in the Mafia (Echo Reid, Reid Family Book #1)

Part 63

"Won't he want to spend Christmas with his family?" Echo asked, thinking about how much she'd like to be spending Christmas with hers.

That was a strange thought to have. Echo was with her family- her mom, her dad, her sisters and Ben, even George and Karen were in the other room just hanging out. Somehow, it just wasn't the same anymore and she knew it was because now Luke and Adelia were her family too.

"I heard he's an only child, parents died a few years back." Romy said with a shrug. Echo studied Romy's face.

"You... don't like him?" Echo asked but Romy shook her head.

"No, it's not that... I just think they're spending a lot of time together." Romy said.

"She must really like him." Echo said.

"He's cute." Romy said. Echo watched her for a second. it didn't matter what Romy said, Echo got the distinct feeling that there was something about him she didn't like.

"Do..." Echo began to say but at that moment, a loud knocking made them turn.

"Who in the world?" Maru's voice called out from the other room. Echo and Romy stood, moving into the hall and finding that everyone else had done the same. "It's Christmas Eve, don't people have families to be with."

"Hi."

Echo died.

She had to be dead.

She died in her sleep and went to heaven, that was the only explanation.

Maybe she'd caught a cold while sitting out on the terrace until late.

Maybe she'd died of a broken heart.

But whatever it was, whatever happened, she had to be dead. She died and now she was in heaven and that's why the one person she actually wanted to see more than anything, was standing 10 feet away.

"Luke!" Maru said with a smile, reaching out to hug him as he walked in. "We thought you weren't coming. Hey Adelia!"

This was followed by similar cries of surprise and greetings. Everyone seemed so happy to see him, especially Ben and George, who were greeting him more effusively than anyone else. It was funny to see how much they liked the guy after a simple basketball game.

She could hear them talking, could hear his voice as he spoke to her parents but she couldn't move. She could only stare as he moved about the room. It had to be a dream, right? He wouldn't just come looking for her? Show up on Christmas eve just to make up with her? That was a movie or a book, not life.

Then, there he was, looking directly at her as he approached and for the first time she noticed the small dog in his arms.

"Baby!" She said, reaching out and taking the dog from him. "Oh my goodness, I missed you."

Echo smiled as the dog excitedly began to jump up in her arms.

"I missed you too." Luke said in a low voice with a playful grin. Echo glanced up at him as she held the dog up to her face, cuddling it.

"Hi Echo." Adelia said brightly, jumping out from behind Luke.

"Hi." Echo said without taking her eyes off him.

"Hey Adelia," Romy said, noticing the tension between the two. "Why don't I show you your room before lunch? You're actually right across the hall from me."

"Really?" Adelia asked, following her upstairs.

"Come on, I'll show you the room." Echo said after a few seconds, turning on her heel and holding the puppy closer.