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“Dessert is coming soon,” she says, even though neither of us ordered any sweet treats. “It’s something very special.”
“What is it?” I ask before stealing a small garlic knot from the breadbasket.
Marti’s gaze volleys between Daniel and me. “Guess.”
“Tiramisu,” Daniel says. “You know how much I love that, Marti.”
“I do, but no.” Her head shakes. “Try again.”
Daniel looks at me, but I take a bite of the garlic knot to force him into a second guess.
“The honey ricotta cheesecake that Bella loves.”
Impressed that he remembers my sister’s favorite dessert, I bow my head and smile. Still chewing, I wait for him to guess again, but Marti taps my shoulder.
She clears her throat. “Your turn, my Gina. What do you think it is? What do you want most right now?”
A ticket for a seat on a flight headed directly to Las Vegas, but that’s not going to appear on a plate in front of me in the next two minutes.
I take another bite of the garlic knot. I know I won’t get the answer to her question right because my grandma has her own plan when it comes to food. I don’t think I’ve ever been served anything I’ve ordered, yet every bite I’ve eaten within the walls of this restaurant or in her home has been exactly what I needed.
I point at my mouth and sign to her. I can’t talk with my mouth full.
Daniel raises his hands in reply.Sign your guess.
Marti laughs, but her eagerness to reveal the surprise gets the best of her. “Millefoglie for the newlyweds. That’s what it is.”
I start choking immediately, unsure if she really just said she made an Italian wedding cake for Daniel and me.
She made one filled with lemon custard and citrus when Bella and Barrett got married, and the chocolate cream and berry one she created for my cousin Rocco’s wedding was pure bliss.
Daniel is on his feet instantly, rounding the table to help me as I cough through a sip of water. “Gina, are you all right? Gina!”
I nod. “I’m okay.”
Daniel rests a hand on my shoulder. “Are you sure?”
My grandma runs her fingers through my hair. “You have to take smaller bites, sweetheart.”
I glance up and into her face. “I will.”
How the hell does she know that we got married in Las Vegas? Who else knows? Did someone from the chapel post an image of Daniel and me exchanging vows to social media?
I take another drink before I glance at Daniel. When our gazes meet, I only see calmness in his eyes.
“You want us to test the cake you’re baking for Dominick and Arietta’s wedding?” he asks my grandma. “I’d be honored to do that, Marti. Very honored.”
“Good.” She pats his cheek. “Sit down and take care of my granddaughter while I get you each a slice.”
As soon as she disappears into the kitchen, he kisses the top of my head. “Marti doesn’t know. No one knows. I made sure that no one would ever know.”
“How?” I question.
“I tipped very well at the chapel in exchange for their promise to keep our wedding under wraps,” he explains.
I smile faintly. “Exactly how much did you tip?”
“Enough that Angel and Destiny are planning the honeymoon to Maui that they couldn’t afford before last night.” He drags his chair next to mine before he takes a seat again. “No one will ever find out you married me, Gina.”
