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The owner nods his greeting from behind the bar where he’s pouring two glasses of wine.
“This way,” I say, my hand at Natalie’s low back as I lead her to a table at the back corner. I pull out her chair then take mine. My back’s to the wall so I can see who comes and goes. But this place is safe.
“Do people always stare at you when you go places?” she asks. “Are they going to start staring at me now?”
“If they’re staring at you it’s because you’re fucking beautiful.”
“I wonder if you’ll still be thinking that when I get big and fat with this baby.” She picks up her menu so she’s not looking at me.
I take her hand to make her look at me. “I don’t care if you weigh four-hundred pounds. You will always be beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes but is smiling.
“I’ll order for us, if you don’t mind,” I say.
“I can decide for myself, thank you,” she says.
“It’s not an infringement on your rights, you know. It’s just dinner, especially considering—”
“No, thank you,” she says.
“Suit yourself.”
The owner walks over with an open bottle of Chianti and a bottle of water. “Sergio. It’s always good to see you here.”
“Good to see you, too. How are things?”
“Quiet. Thank you.”
I nod. He raises the bottle to pour for Natalie but she stops him. “Just water for me, please.”
He looks at me and I give him a nod so he pours a glass of wine for me and water for Natalie.
“Usual?” he asks in his broken English, setting both bottles down on the table.
“Natalie?” I say.
“Um,” she’s still looking at the menu, which by now she’s realized is in Italian and I know she can’t understand a word. “This one.” She points to something.
He reads out what she ordered and I have to grin. I can’t wait to see her face when her meal arrives. After handing her menu over, she clears her throat and sits back.
“Usual for me,” I say.
He nods and walks away.
“So, what did you order?” I ask. From the look on her face, I know she has no clue but she’s way too stubborn to admit it.
She picks up her water. “I’ll surprise you.”
“Didn’t know you read Italian,” I say, picking up my wine, holding it up. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
I drink, then put my glass down and watch her.
“Do you have to be gone for three nights?” she asks. I know it’s been on her mind. It’ll be the first time I’m away since we got married. She’s not comfortable in the house yet and she’s still fighting me over the bodyguard trailing her when she’s not home or with me.
“It’ll go by fast. Dad isn’t focused right now. Not with mom like she is.”
“Salvatore can’t go alone? Or Dominic?” She can’t say his name without making a face.
“Salvatore’s coming with me, but it has to be me. It’s important.”
“I know, it’s just I wish you didn’t have to go.”
A waiter comes to the table holding two steaming plates with the edge of a towel. He sets them down and I see from Natalie’s face she did not expect what she gets.
I can’t help my smile, but when she looks up at me, I pick up my fork and bring my full attention to my plate. I stick a fat gnocchi into my mouth and chew, but when I look up at her, I shove another two in to keep from bursting out in laughter.
“What did I order?” she asks, her face slightly pale.
“Liver and onions,” I say with my mouth full.
“Oh my God.”
I can’t help it now. I shove my napkin to my mouth and try to swallow so I don’t spit out my mouthful when I laugh.
“You jerk. It’s not funny.”
I shake my head, wipe my eyes because I’m laughing so hard, I’m crying. “No, it is funny. Your expression is hilarious, in fact.”
She gives me a glare, sets her fork down, puts her napkin on the table. When she makes to stand, I capture her hand.
“Come on, you have to admit, you are so damn stubborn. You should have let me order for you.”
She eyes my plate, picks up her fork and pokes a gnocchi. She shoves it into her mouth and closes her eyes. “Oh wow.”
“Told you so,” I say.
She opens her eyes and sticks her tongue out at me.
I take her plate and push mine in front of her. “Eat.”
She looks down at the gnocchi. “You don’t have to do that.” But she doesn’t offer to swap back.
“It’s fine. Eat.”
I keep hold of her hand for a minute and she meets my eyes, gives me a warm smile. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”I took Eric with me to the meeting where I sat in for my father. Salvatore was to have joined me, but he’s come down with some bug and I didn’t want Dominic there. I don’t care that I’m alone. I prefer it.
