“Just looking at all that white brick waiting for paint.”
“Ah, I thought it was a little romance finally.”
“Always looking to hook me up with someone, Romeo.” I gave him a quick hug. The familiar scent of rosemary and Old Spice as comforting as the hug itself.
“No, I’m always looking to hook you up with one of my sons.” He walked me to the door, herding me inside, the familiar bell jangling above us.
“Welcome!” Maria’s voice rose over the sound of the deli slicers in motion. “Oh, hello Phoebe.” Her salt and pepper hair whisped around her temples, peeking from the red bandanna she wore in lieu of a hairnet.
“Tessoro mio, convince her to go out with one of our sons!”
Maria came around the counter. “Oh, yes. I think you’d be prefect for Sal!”
“Absolutely not.” I laughed. Romeo’s sons, Matteo and Salvatore, were both unable to keep a woman for longer than a week before their eyes wandered. No thank you.
“But maybe he’ll settle down if he finds a nice girl,” Romeo boomed.
“You’d make beautiful babies,” Maria said with her hands over her heart.
I nearly choked. “That’s not on my current schedule.”
He threw his thick arm around me, leading me into the dining room. “Just think about it.”
“I’m actually seeing someone.” Surprised that it popped out of my mouth, I nearly wished it back.
Maria waved a hand at me, her dark eyes disappointed. “Sal will never find someone,” she said with a sigh.
“What?” Romeo’s dark eyes lit. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“It’s new.”
He leaned in with a stage whisper. “Who?”
This was not the place to confess about Dutch and me. The whole dang town would know in an hour. “You probably don’t know him.”
Affronted, he leaned back. “I know everyone in this town.” He put his hands on his hips. “Who?” Then his face cleared. “Are you seeing that new boy?”
“Boy?” I laughed.
“What new boy?” Lance said as he came through the door. His usual battered Yankees baseball cap on and a messenger bag slung across his back.
“Not you too.”
“Me too what? I just got here.” He swooped me away from Romeo into a quick bear hug. “Who has a new guy? You?” He let me go and frowned down at me. “Are you dating Atticus?”
Geez. This was not the way I wanted it to come out. Lance was just as bad as Romeo with gossip. “Uh...”
His face split into a huge grin. “That’s awesome. Way to go, sis.”
“Atticus? Who’s Atticus?” Another voice came from the back of the store. Salvatore was wiping down the table with a dark red rag.
“He’s a famous author.”
Sal shrugged. “Reading is boring.” He glanced at me with an appreciative wink. “Looking good, Phee.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. The only thing that excited Sal was baseball and beer. Another reason why we were definitely not compatible. “Still a no.”
“C’mon.” Sal flipped the towel over his shoulder. “I’ll take you to Antonella’s for dinner.”
