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“Robyn, how is work these days? You’re with the National Museum of Scotland, correct?”
“Actually, I’ve moved to an art gallery on Princes Street. More modern than antiquities, but I'm finding the twist to be quite engaging. In fact, I sold my first two paintings just this week.”
“Congratulations,” I said, tapping my glass to hers just as someone appeared at my side.
“Tommaso, it’s grand to see you outside of the club.” My father stood and shook the Italian investor’s hand. I stood as well. Tommaso Bianchi was short, with perpetually tanned skin, a well-fitted Italian suit, and a silk pocket square. A hefty gold watch glinted at his wrist, and two thick gold rings were on each hand.
“Good to see you again,” Tommaso said, smiling a greeting at Robyn and my mother.
“We’re surprised to see you out this way,” Mum said, dimpling up at him.
“I’ve some interests in the area. And I’m never one to pass up the opening of a new restaurant.” Tommaso patted his belly and laughed.
“Yes, the food is serviceable, I suppose.” Coming from my mother, that was a high compliment.
At that moment, Lia appeared, and I was certain she’d caught the tail end of my mother’s comment.
“Ah, the chef!” Tommaso rounded the table and clasped Lia’s hands in his own, before kissing each of her cheeks. “Belissima! Perfecta!”
“Grazie. Ti è piaciuto il cibo?” Lia spoke in Italian to Tommaso, much to his delight, and my mother’s deep annoyance. My grin widened as I watched Lia woo the richest man in the room.
“Sei Italiano? Devi sposarmi.” Tommaso brought her hands to his chest, and I narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t entirely sure what he was saying, but I knew when a man was hitting on my woman.
“She’s spoken for,” I said, and Tommaso turned to me with a knowing look in his eyes.
“Ah, so it’s like that? Smart man,” Tommaso said.
“Sono Italiano e scozzese. E sì, è il mio ragazzo.” Lia smiled.
“Se mai vorrai lasciarlo…” Tommaso sighed when Lia shook her head. Turning, he addressed the table.
“It appears that your beautiful chef is refusing to run away with me. Unfortunately. One of the best torta rusticas I’ve ever had.” Tommaso brought his fingers to his lips and made a kissing noise. Someone called his name and he turned, waving a goodbye to us, as he made his rounds.
“Well, you certainly charmed him. I didn’t know you spoke Italian,” Mum said to Lia, and she just looked at me, half torn between confusion and laughter.
“How would you, Mum? You’ve barely met her,” I pointed out. Lia cleared her throat.
“I hope you all enjoyed your meal tonight and saved room for a light dessert.”
“It was exquisite, Lia.” I was still standing from when Tommaso had shaken our hands, and I rounded the table to brush a soft kiss on her lips. It was all I was comfortable doing with the entire restaurant full of people watching me, but I wanted her to know that I was showing the world that she was mine and that Robyn was nothing to me no matter what my mother was trying to pull.
“You like?” Lia asked, smiling shyly up at me.
“Incredible. I’m embarrassed I even attempted to cook for you after tasting what you can create.”
“Don’t be. Your lasagna was perfect.” Lia laughed and squeezed my hand. “I have to make my rounds, but I’ll see you later?”
“You couldn’t tear me away.”
“I hope you enjoyed your dinner,” Lia said to the table, and my parents being who they were, just nodded stiffly. Would it kill them to show approval once in a while? It was like they made a game of who could find more things to critique.What a horrible way to move through life.
“It was fantastic,” Robyn spoke up when my parents didn’t. “And the bread…”
“That’s Catriona. She’s incredible. I’ll pass on your compliments.” With that, Lia moved to the next table, and I glared at my parents as I sat back down.
“Would it have been so hard to be nice?” I demanded as the desserts were served.
“Our behavior was perfectly acceptable. Unlike yours at the moment. Particularly in front of our charming guest. Now, Robyn…are you seeing anyone? Your parents mentioned you were still single. As you know, Munroe is a successful businessman, and you two used to be such dear friends.”
