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“Amaretto? What are you, eighty?”
He arches an eyebrow my way. “You do not drink amaretto in America?”
“Not if you’re under the retirement age,” I tease lightly.
He inhales the aroma coming from the glass. Lightly, Elio brings the glass to his lips. He licks the bottom one before placing the crystal at his mouth, and he tilts it.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
I’ve never in my life considered a man’s throat to be that attractive.
Quickly I look away before I do something stupid, like offer to pet him or lick the drop of alcohol off of his bottom lip.
I look down at my apple, but a large, tan hand is right next to my plate, handing me a glass.
Elio offers me some of the liquor. “Drink?”
I frown. “I shouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
Huh.
Why not.
Well, for one thing, I’m not really a drinker. I’m tired and disarmed by the sight of Elio and my kid having a great time together, and I have a feeling that if I were to get even a little bit drunk right now, I’d start to lean into the emotions that are overwhelming me.
And if I lean into the emotions that are overwhelming me…
“Caterina,” Elio says softly, the word smooth as butter as it rolls down my spine. “Have a drink with me. Please,” he nearly whispers.
Please.
It’s the word that cracks through my resolve. “Okay,” I sigh, accepting the shot glass from him. “One drink.”
“Cin cin,” he intones.
I clink my glass against his. “Cin cin,” I respond.
We both drink.
I gasp as the amaretto burns my throat. I cough, trying to fight off the fire of it as I suck air into my lungs.
“Easy, Caterina, breathe,” Elio murmurs.
I recognize all too late that his strong hand is on my back.
Quickly, I sit up, letting his fingers fall off of my shoulder. “I’m fine,” I whisper. “I just don’t drink all that often.”
“Marco lets you advise him on matters of business, but he doesn’t let you drink?”
I roll my eyes. “You act like Marco is my keeper.”
“He isn’t?”
“No, Elio. Are you Gia’s keeper?”
He pauses at that, and I can see him genuinely searching for the answer. “Of course not. She is her own person, and I rely on her to gather intelligence and to…” his voice trails off.
