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“You seem really sure about that.”
“This isn’t my first time here.”
I arched a brow. “Not your first time here?”
He smirked. “I’ve never brought a woman to this place. I’ve eaten here several times, always at the bar, and Mama Leonardi never disappoints. Trust me. Try the wine.”
“What kind of wine is it?”
“Red.”
“No shit, Sherlock,” I said with a laugh. I reached for the glass of wine and brought it to my lips. I took a sip and then sighed. “Yeah, okay.”
“Good?”
“Massive understatement.”
There was yelling from the direction of the kitchen, but no one seemed to mind. A moment later, the door swung open again and Mama Leonardi was suddenly back at our table, carrying a small tray. She set down two plates, a basket of bread, Balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
Her hands were a flurry of action as she salted, peppered, oiled, and vinegared each plate. Then she held out the basket of bread to me.
I took a piece, but I was unsure of what to do with it.
Mama Leonardi mimed breaking the bread and dunking it into the concoction on the plate.
I did as she mimed and stuck a piece in my mouth. My eyes widened in delight, causing Mama Leonardi to cackle. Instead of pinching my face like she’d done to Duke, she pinched my side and said something in rapid Italian before scurrying away.
“What did that mean?” I asked.
Duke grinned. “I think that was her way of saying you need to eat more.”
I smiled back at him. “I kind of love this place. Can it be our place?”
His eyes softened. “Yeah, babe. It can be our place.”
“Do me a favor,” I said.
“What?”
“Don’t call me babe.” I bit my lip. “It feels…”
“Feels what?”
“Impersonal,” I blurted out. “Like that’s what you call all your hook ups. Because Iknowthat’s what you call your hook ups.”
He paused as he stared at me. “And you don’t want to be a hook up?”
“No, I don’t want to be a hook up.”
“Then what do you want this to be?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“I think you do,” he said, reaching for his glass of wine. “I think you knowexactlywhat you want, but you’re afraid.”
“How would this work?” I demanded.
“The way it’s always worked.”
