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Sergio saved his life.
Maybe he saved mine, too.
I look down at the potatoes, but I don't see them.
Marialena grins. “You guys, my grandmother is actually coming down here to personally thank him.” Flo gasps and covers her mouth.
Marialena turns to me. “OK, so Nonna doesn't leave the house. You have to understand. It's a really huge thing for her to come all the way down here to see Sergio just for saving Mario."
"Well, saving someone's life is a big deal," Quinn says.
"Mario and Sergio are best friends," Marlialena says. "Sergio is older, but they've always had just like… a connection. I'm sure Sergio would do it again in a heartbeat if he had to, and Mario would do the same thing, but it doesn't mean that it wasn't a huge deal."
It must've been so terrifying, him seeing his friend like that, not knowing if he was going to be able to help him or save him. My heart goes out to him. And then that same night, he came back and checked on me and everybody else at the club and now today, he says he has a job to do. I'd be willing to bet that job has something to do with checking in on Mario.
"Oh, Eden?” Marialena smiles. “That's a lot of potatoes. Tell me you're making that potato soup that you make with the cheese and the sour cream and all those super deliciously fattening things and carbs that I need because I'm on my period and that magical thing you do with a potato…”
“Have you tried that bread she makes with cinnamon sugar with like that butter swirl, and she slices it and serves it with like this apple butter stuff and like fresh butter that she makesby hand?" Flo asks. “Fresh butter, girls.”
"Eden, Ineedthat bread before I go back home. Can you promise me that?" Marialena says.
"Of course. I’ll make a few and freeze them so you can have them later.” I draw in a breath, summoning my courage and my bravery. I have something to ask them and it's completely unusual for me. I've never done anything like this in my life. "And now I have a favor to ask of you." I gesture to my clothes. "I am tired of looking like an Amish person."
Flo screams with laughter. Marialena claps her hands. Quinn throws her arms around me and hugs me. "Atta girl. Sergio deserves aprizefor saving Mario's life. And I think we have the perfect one right here."
* * *
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Sergio
When I’m apartfrom her, all I can think about is where she is, what she’s doing. All I can think about is getting back to her.
When I return toBella Notte, I can tell it's a busy night tonight. Our valets are working hard, trotting from one car to the next. Our parking lot is full, and there's an expectant energy in the air.
I visited Mario. I’d gotten news from Gloria and asked some questions. I have my suspicions, but I'm not going to make any moves until I confirm them.
When I reach the back entrance toBella Notte, I smell the comforting scent of garlic and olive oil. My heritage. Eden’s done her best to combine Italian traditions with American comfort food, and even though our clientele is small—the main focus is providing a place for people to meet, our kitchen only an added perk—the feedback’s incredible. My stomach rumbles with hunger, and I'm comforted with the knowledge that Eden is the one overseeing our kitchen.
I wonder what she has in store for us tonight. I don't care what she's cooking, I like eating what she makes. She puts love into everything, and it's evident.
For the first time in a long, long time, I feel like I'm coming home.
I'm not exactly sure what tonight is going to hold. I've held back from her. I haven't wanted to hurt her. But after last night, I realize that my assumption about what she needs has been wrong.
And Christ, does that make my pulse race. She craves what I can give her.
The night is in full swing. I glance toward the kitchen but usually by this time of night, Eden is just overseeing the rest of the kitchen staff. It's unusual for a club like this to have a full-service restaurant in it, but given how much she enjoys this, I'm thinking of expanding.
I almost feel nervous, like I'm going on a date.
I don’t…date.
I hook up.
I fuck.
I dominate.
