AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I took the peppers to the sink and turned on the water. “Now, do I just use this blue soap to wash the vegetables?”
“You don’t—” Luca whirled around to see what I was doing.
I pulled my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing but Luca just scowled.
“So much for you believing in me,” I teased but Luca just glared, shaking his head at me before turning back to the roast.
It was interesting to see him in the kitchen like that. He was so calm, confident, playful, and even a little flirty. It was hard not to think of Luca and our history when we were working so closely. Each little nudge or brushing against me as we passed each other in the kitchen was like electricity igniting through every nerve in my body.
Time flew by and before long the entire house was filled with the warm, rich smells of a good, home-cooked meal.
The phone rang and Luca answered it while I finished plating our appetizer of roasted red peppers with olives, capers and herbs on crusted bread. A moment later, he ended the call.
“They’re here.”
I gasped, filled with excitement. “Finally. Oh, no. I forgot to get the wine from the cellar.”
“You take care of the appetizers. I’ll grab the wine.”
“Thank you.” I hurried into the dining room and placed the platter of appetizers on the table and made it to the front door just in time to greet Teo, Mia, and little Elio as they climbed the front steps. “You’re here. The three of you are finally home.”
I stepped out of the way so that they could come in, giving Teo and Mia hugs as they entered.
“What smells so good?” Mia asked as she headed toward the dining room and placed the baby carrier on a chair.
“That’s dinner.”
“So, you did cook?” Teo asked in surprise.
“I had a little help.”
“Really? Who?”
“Me,” Luca chimed in as he strolled into the dining room with a bottle of red wine.
“The two of you cooked dinner?” Mia asked in disbelief.
“Yes, well...Luca made the roast, but we made the rest together and it’s ready so please sit.”
“Yes, let’s eat,” Teo said happily.
My father joined us from his study just as we all settled in around the table for a delicious meal. We ate and talked happily. Teo and Mia seemed to be enjoying the meal and I was enjoying some time with my new little nephew who slept contently in his carrier in the chair right next to me.
“Mira, Luca, this food is amazing. I can’t believe I didn’t know that either of you could cook,” Mia said happily between bites.
“I didn’t know either.” I chuckled and the others followed.
“Mira doesn’t give herself enough credit, she was good in the kitchen.”
“Well, I had a good teacher.” I smiled at Luca, happy that the dinner was going so well, and happy to have had some time to spend with him without things feeling tense.
Luca smiled at me, and my heart did a little flip. That feeling was a dangerous one. We couldn’t be together. If recent events had taught me anything, it was that Luca and I were better as friends, no matter how much my heart protested.
I took a sip of my wine just as my phone rang. I pulled it from my bag and checked the caller I.D. “It’s Stefano,” I said quietly as I stood from my chair. “I’ll be just a minute.”
I answered the phone as I walked out of the dining room and into the hallway to talk. “Ciao, Stefano.”
“Ciao, amore mio.” He sounded happy. “How are you?”
