Always Be True Read Online Free PDF Page A

managed not to roll his eyes, but just barely. She’d been saying the same thing to him and his brothers since they were all in their early twenties. Now that Jack was happily married, she’d stepped up her efforts on Tino and Mikhail.
    She knew him well enough to know that he hadn’t really meant he’d start looking. “I’m serious, Tino. All Joe and I ever wanted was for all three of our boys to be happy.”
    “I know that, Mom, but right now I have enough on my plate without trying to have a serious relationship with someone.”
    He ignored the image of Natalie’s bright smile that flashed through his mind.
    “As far as I can tell, you don’t have anything on your plate these days.” Marlene held up her hand to cut off his protest. “I know it takes awhile to adjust to civilian life after nearly ten years in the army, but it’s not like you to not have a plan in mind for what comes next. I’ll support whatever decision you make, but I hate seeing you floundering like this.”
    Tino’s temper slipped loose. “I’ve only been home a few weeks, Mom. Before that, I spent most of my time serving in hell, so why don’t you cut me some slack?”
    He stalked off into the darkness before he said something else he’d regret. At least he didn’t slam the door behind him as he took refuge in the annex. Maybe that workout he’d mentioned would take the edge off. For sure, it was tempting to chuck a few of the weights against the wall, but they’d only just repaired the damage his older brother had caused doing that exact thing.
    After a few reps, he dropped the free weights back down on the rack and dug his cellphone out of his pocket. It would probably mean more if he apologized to his mother in person or at least with an actual phone call. Instead, he sent her a text that was short, if not sweet.
Sorry. I’m an idiot. I love you.
    His phone pinged within seconds. It was a testament to how well his mother knew him that she’d been waiting for his message. Her response had him smiling.
I love you, too. And BTW, nobody gets to call my son an idiot, not even him.
    He grinned. No one had ever defended him or his brothers more fiercely than she did.
Message received. Good night, Mom.
    Feeling better, he wrapped his hands and started punching the heavy bag as he lost himself in the familiar rhythm. He’d keep pounding until he’d burned up the last bit of his energy and all of his frustration. Tomorrow would be soon enough to decide what to do about Natalie Kennigan and those irresistible dimples of hers.
    —
    Natalie set her dinner of fruit, cheese, and crackers within easy reach and checked the temperature of the water before climbing into the tub. Perfect. Exactly the right amount of heat to soothe her aching muscles, especially when she turned on the jets to set the water swirling around her. After tossing in a double handful of her favorite bath salts, she leaned back against the curved edge and closed her eyes.
    It had been a long day, but a good one. They’d made a lot more progress at the site than she’d expected. The sign-up sheet for next Saturday was pretty close to full, so she wouldn’t have to spend time during the week trying to drum up more volunteers. Tino’s name hadn’t been on the list, but she hadn’t wanted to push too hard. It could be that he already had plans for that day.
    Maybe she shouldn’t have been so quick to accept his invitation to dinner and a movie, but she didn’t regret her decision. She loved her work at the foundation but needed something more in her life. Something fun. No, make that
someone
fun in her life.
    She couldn’t remember when she’d laughed as much as she had with Tino Gianelli, especially considering how little time she’d actually spent in his company. Those killer brown eyes of his didn’t hurt either. He wore his dark hair on the short side, probably a habit left over from his time in the military. Even so, there was just a hint of wave in it.