Tony stood up, brushing off his jeans, his heart swelling with a mix of hope and determination. "Alright, Grandma, I'm gonna look at the real estate. Oh, and I forgot to mention—we've got another ace up our sleeve. You've built a brand called EmberVibe over the last 48 years. That's gonna carry us far."
Emilia's eyes glistened with pride, a quiet nod to the decades she'd poured into the café. "Thanks, kiddo. Oh, can you do me a favor? I promised to drop Olivia and her little sister at Deno's Wonder Wheel, but the rush is wild today. Can you take them?"
"No problem, Grandma," Tony said, his grin masking the flicker of longing in his chest. "Have I ever said no to you?" A chance to hang with Olivia, someone from my class I barely knew? Maybe this time I can actually connect, he thought, the ache of his solitary past life tugging at him as they left the break room.
Emilia returned to the counter and called out, "Olivia, I can't take you and Kiara today—the rush is too much, and we'd be shorthanded. But Tony's got you covered."
Olivia glanced at Tony with a mix of surprise and hesitation. "Uh, okay, ma'am. Thanks."
"Have fun, you two," Emilia said, settling back into her seat. "Enjoy your day off with your sister."
"Thank you, ma'am," Olivia replied, her voice soft but guarded, as she followed Tony toward the exit.
Outside, Tony pointed to his sleek black Mustang, its shine catching the morning light. "That's us. Hop in." He unlocked the car, sliding into the driver's seat while Olivia took the passenger side, her posture stiff, like she was bracing for something.
The engine hummed as Tony eased into Brooklyn's congested streets, the city's pulse a stark contrast to the quiet ache in his heart.
He noticed her fiddling with her watch, the strap dangling loose, and saw an opening. "That strap's looking rough. Might need a new one."
Olivia's fingers froze, her eyes dropping to the watch with a flicker of pain. "It's all I have left of my mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just replace it."
Tony's stomach twisted. Way to go, genius. "I'm sorry," he said, his tone softer now. "Maybe a good watchmaker could fix it? Someone who knows their stuff."
"I tried," Olivia said, her gaze fixed out the window. "It's a hundred bucks. I'm waiting for next month's paycheck. I promised Kiara we'd hit the amusement park this month."
Tony's heart clenched at the weight in her words—she was carrying so much, just like he had in his past life. "You're an amazing sister, you know that?" he said, offering a warm smile.
Olivia's cheeks flushed, and she met his eyes for a fleeting moment. "Thanks," she murmured, a crack in her guarded exterior. Tony tucked that away: She lights up with praise. Gotta remember that.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to Olivia's house, where a young girl—about 14—stood waiting, her black hair catching the sunlight. Tony parked the Mustang, and Olivia hopped out to hug her sister. Tony leaned over, saying "Your chariot awaits, kid."
Kiara, with hazel eyes like Olivia's, climbed in shyly, clutching a small bag. Tony sensed her nerves and flashed a grin. "Hey, I'm Anthony Stark. Call me Tony."
"I'm Kiara Rose," she said, her voice barely audible, her eyes darting to the floor.
"Kiara, he's Emilia's grandson," Olivia said, settling back into the front seat. "No need to be shy."
Kiara leaned forward, her whisper loud enough for Tony to catch. "Sis, is he your boyfriend? Is he gonna be my brother-in-law?"
Olivia's face turned crimson, and she swatted at Kiara playfully. "Kiara! What are they teaching you at school?" she hissed, stealing a glance at Tony.
Tony bit back a laugh, pretending not to hear, but his heart did a little flip. Kids, man. No filter. He kept his eyes on the road, but the moment warmed him in a way he hadn't felt in years. In his past life, he'd never had this—simple, messy, human connection. I missed so much, he thought, the regret sharp but fleeting.
To break the awkward silence, he glanced at Kiara in the rearview mirror. "That's a cute dress, Kiara. Who picked it out?"
Kiara's face lit up, and Olivia's lips curved into a proud smile. "My sister got it," Kiara said.
"Nice pick," Tony said, nodding at Olivia. "You two are tight, huh?"
"Yeah," Kiara said, her shyness melting. "Liv's been taking care of me since our parents died."
Tony's chest tightened. He knew loss too well—his parents, then Emilia, then years of emptiness. "Sounds like you've got the best sister in the world," he said, his voice softer than he meant it to be.
The drive to Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park was filled with Kiara's chatter about school and rides, Olivia loosening up as she chimed in. Tony learned Olivia poured her heart into raising Kiara, taking every compliment about her parenting like a lifeline. She's been through hell, but she's still fighting, he thought, a quiet admiration settling in.
When they arrived, Kiara practically bounced out of the car, her excitement infectious. "Tony, you gotta come with us!" she said, tugging at his sleeve.
Tony glanced at Olivia, raising an eyebrow. "If your sister's cool with it, I'm game." This life's not just about building an empire, he thought. I need moments like this. I need people.
"I'm fine with it," Olivia said, her voice shy but warm, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Come on."
The day was a whirlwind of laughter and adrenaline. They hit every ride—the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone, the bumper cars—Kiara's giggles echoing through the park. Olivia tried to pay for their tickets and snacks, but Tony was too quick, slipping his cash to the vendors with a grin. She shot him a mock glare, but her eyes softened each time, a flicker of something new in them. She's not used to someone stepping up, Tony thought. But I get it. She's been on her own too long. Her past—losing her parents at fourteen, stuck with a deadbeat uncle—made her strength hit him harder.
By 7:00 p.m., they were tucked into a cozy restaurant, menus spread out on the table. Olivia excused herself for the bathroom, leaving Tony and Kiara alone. "What do you want, Kiara?" Tony asked, flipping through the menu.
"Can I get roasted chicken?" she asked, flashing a grin that could melt anyone.
"You got it," Tony said, taking a sip of water.
Kiara leaned forward, her face all innocence. "Tony, do you like my sister?"
Tony choked, water spraying back into his glass. The couple at the next table shot him a look, and he coughed, trying to play it cool. "Kiara, you're gonna kill me with these questions," he said