Chapter 8

•FIN•

I glanced around the yard, trying to find Ripley but I hadn't seen her or Sloan here yet.

Gianni was speaking to Kin near the pool, Renato was here, and so were Luca and his family.

Kinley was speaking to Luca's wife, whose name I could never remember.

Upon our arrival I mingled a bit before getting a drink, hoping I would see my niece and Ripley arriving.

Getting agitated, I pulled my phone out and sent Sloan a text asking where she was.

I didn't particularly like that she was going to pick Ripley up given that she would probably have to see Bobby.

Glancing at the time on the phone I realized that I still needed to go and meet with Bobby later that night.

Sloan walked in a few minutes later with Ripley and I could immediately tell that Ripley was on something.

I watched as her parent's faces lit up with joy at their daughter's presence and Ripley held onto them in tight hugs with a bright smile of her own.

I was in awe at how beautiful she looked when she smiled, her f