Winnie felt a pang of protectiveness. “Um…maybe let’s run this past Lorenzo,” she said.
“Nah,” Dante said. “His casa, mi casa, as the saying goes. He won’t mind.”
Winnie thought he might mind very much. But he was in Boston, and he’d never said she couldn’t have people over, especially when it was his brother doing the inviting. “Okay, then. Can I get you something to drink?”
Twenty minutes later, the five of them were sitting in the living room. Winnie had set out a tray of cheese and crackers, grapes and sliced apples, a little thrilled at the chance to play hostess and use Lorenzo’s beautiful stuff. Winnie’d made herself and Lark a gin and tonic, Robbie and Dante were drinking beer, and Rosie had a tonic and cranberry juice with a sprig of rosemary that Winnie had added for flair.
“So this doesn’t trigger you or anything?” Winnie asked, pointing to the alcohol.
“Oh, no,” Rosie said. “I didn’t drink because I liked the taste of wine. I drank to get shit-faced. Guzzle vodka from a bottle at ten a.m., that kind of thing. My recovery is solid, my therapist is great, and I’ve never been so happy.”
“So impressive,” Lark said. “We’re all really proud of you, Rosie.”
“Well. Robbie is my rock.”
“First time anyone’s ever said those words,” Winnie said. Robbie gave her the finger, then leaned over and kissed his fiancée.
“Please don’t,” Winnie said. “Happy couples are my trigger. Stop making heart eyes, you four.”
“You doing okay with all that?” Dante asked. “The married boyfriend situation?”
“Yes. Good talk.”
“Winipedia,” Robbie said, “my bachelor party is coming, and I want you to come. If Grandpop wasn’t my best man, it would totally be you. You’re basically a guy. I mean, I think of you as my brother.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Robbie.” She wouldn’t have minded being best woman, but she also loved that he asked Grandpop.
“Don’t get used to it. Grandpop can’t plan what to eat for lunch, let alone a bachelor party, so Austin’s taking the reins. The party bus will pick you up.”
“Are your other sisters invited?” Lark said.
“Absolutely not,” said Robbie. “Just Winster the Spinster.”
“And just like that, you’re an idiot again,” Winnie said. “But yes, I’m free, and I can’t wait. Tell Austin to call me if he needs help.”
At that moment, the front door open, and there stood Lorenzo, dressed in a raincoat and suit. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “Did someone die?”
“Hey, Lorenzo!” Dante said, jumping up and going to hug his brother. “We just dropped in to see Winnie, and Robbie and Rosie were in the neighborhood, so we asked them to come over.”
“I see.”
Winnie could also see that Lorenzo was a little off-balance with the company. Chances were high he’d been working all weekend and had wanted the peace and quiet of home. After all, there was nothing as soul-soothing as a Cape Cod storm.
“Lorenzo, how you doing, man?” Robbie asked. “We were just talking about my bachelor party. November fifteenth, okay? You have to come.”
“Oh…I…I’m not sure I’m free.”
“Is he, Window? I mean, you’re his PA, right?”
“I am. I can check later,” she said.
“Check now. We’re practically related, Lorenzo. I’d love to have you hang with us,” Robbie said.
At Lorenzo’s nod, Winnie looked at her phone. “At the moment, you are free,” she said.
“Awesome!” Robbie said. “You can keep Dante company, because he won’t know most of the guys, either. That’s great. Thanks, man.”
“I…yes. You’re welcome,” Lorenzo said. “I’m sure it will be fun.”
