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“For the sake of the moment, I’m not going to tell you why I can do this.” My eyes popped open at his words, and suddenly, I was too curious not to ask.
“Seriously? How many? Chopped in pieces? That’s just sick, Matteo Battaglia!”
“I’m kidding.” He laughed. That deep, manly chuckle filling my chest with a warm feeling. “Nonna used to love to cook and made me learn so that I wouldn’t be totally useless.What can I say? I like cooking. But more than that… I like seeing you with that apron on. Maybe later you can put it back on and just toss what’s underneath.” He teased, wiggling his eyebrows for effect.
Just on cue, the doorbell rang, turning Matt’s attention to the door as my anxiety skyrocketed.
A sigh of relief left my chest when I saw it was Alison. She walked into the kitchen just like family, as if she was at home, popping a strawberry into her mouth.
I still haven’t had the time to get to know her better, but I can clearly see she was the most easy-going of the bunch. She always looked happy and carefree, with an electrifying smile that could easily spread to everyone in the room. It was that contagious.
“Francesca!” She squealed, giving me a tight hug. “It’s a good thing I was the first to arrive so we don’t have anyone nosing into our business. So, Jamie and Liam are engaged, as you know, and they’ve set the wedding date already. I was thinking the two of us could plan her bachelorette party. What do you say? Are you in?”
“Sure, of course I am. Does she know anything about it?”
“Oh no, no. Nothing at all. Maybe we can keep it that way for now.” She had a mischievous look on her face that made me smile and actually look forward to it.
“Okay. Do you have anything in mind?”
“Well, I’m guessing, due to our current predicament, we won’t be able to totally shake off the guys. Especially yours. Mr. Hotshot over there won’t be letting you out of his sight until everything is sorted.” She said, motioning to Matt. “I’m thinking Dea Tacita will have to be the place. We can ban them from the VIP area, at least.”
“Ban them from their own club?” I laughed. “That would be the day.”
“We’ll find a way, don’t worry. In the meantime, I’ll order a couple of things online. Would you mind if I have them delivered here? My packages keep getting stolen all the time, and I’ve been spending more time at AD than at home lately. Those things are not exactly welcomed in the office.”
“Yeah, sure. No problem.” I answered, returning to my very messy and full counter.
“Let me give you a hand,” Alison said and immediately started helping me with the rest of the preparations.
Soon enough, Liam, Jamie, and Don Battaglia arrived, and we had everything under control. The table was set. The appetizers were already waiting for the guests, and the wine was being poured as we greeted and received our family.
“Don Battaglia, it’s so nice to see you again.” I greeted the guest of honor tonight.
“Francesca, how has my grandson been treating you?” Don Battaglia asked as he gave me a kiss on the cheek. I could see so much of him in both Matt and Liam. That powerful, majestic poise of elegant dominance was clearly hereditary. They all had it, and looking at the three of them in the same room was like looking at a time-distanced mirror reflection.
“Not too bad. He has his days.” I teased as Matt approached, making sure he heard me.
“I hope the two of you aren’t bad-mouthing me behind my back.” Matt chuckled.
“Oh no, Son. That’s something I’ll be doing right in front of you in a couple of minutes.”
“Oooh. I can’t wait to hear those stories.” I laughed as Matt tensed up.
Dinner went by smoothly, and I couldn’t stop laughing at some of the stories both Don Battaglia and Alison were telling us about the brothers.
“So you’re saying Matt stabbed a fork through your hand just to prove that you would go crying to your mother?” I laughed as Liam showed me the marks on the back of his hand. I’m sure it wasn’t as funny at the time, but right now, it was hilarious.
“Liam paid me back just a couple months ago. He shoved a fork in my thigh for making him realize he was being a dick.”
All these memories just made me miss my family even more. My father especially. I clutched the heart pendant again as I thought of him. He’d given this to me the night that he explained exactly what our family did for business. He’d instructed me never to take it off, that it would be our connection forever. Even now, at thirty-two years old, I still wear it every damn day.
The conversation quickly changed tone, riding along the lines of our present situation. Matt valued his grandfather’s opinion, and this apparent peace was making him more nervous by the day. He didn’t display it. But I could sense it.
“Matteo, you should speak to your friend. He could–”
“He’s not my friend. And no, I don’t trust him. There’s no use in digging up the past.” Matt quickly cut Don Battaglia off, leaving me a little confused.
“I know things didn’t end well, but windmills don’t run on past waters. Maybe he could help shine a light, even if just a faint one. He is a Naoki, after all.”
