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Her eyes lit up at the mention of the dessert, and I knew the temptation would be too great for her to resist.
“All right,” she agreed, smiling softly. “I suppose one dinner won’t hurt.”
“Excellent,” I replied, feeling victorious. “You’ll see, there’s nothing to be afraid of here. We’re all family.”
Sophia stared at our clasped hands, contemplating my words. The silence stretched on for a few heartbeats, and then she nodded. “All right. Let me just get dressed and put on a little makeup.”
“Take your time, but nothing fancy,” I said, releasing her hands and rising from the bed. “Dinner is casual and won’t be served until we get there.”
As Sophia prepared herself, she seemed to grow more at ease. Our conversation drifted to lighter topics, and I could see her spirits lifting.
“Remember,” I told her as we finally left her room together, “you are welcome here, always.”
“Thank you for talking me into this, Liliana,” Sophia said as we walked down the grand staircase. The house seemed to come alive with every step, people moving to and fro with Romano family business to attend to.
“About the men,” I continued, wanting to address her earlier concerns. “If there is ever a situation where someone doesn’t know better, all you need to do is say the word, and Nicholas will correct their behavior.”
She looked at me, her eyes reflecting gratitude mixed with lingering uncertainty. But I knew that over time, she would find her place within these walls.
“All right,” she agreed softly. “I’ll remember that.”
As we entered the dining room, Nicholas awaited us. He stood tall, his broad shoulders and smiling blue eyes demanding our attention even when he wasn’t trying. A warm grin spread across his face when he saw us, and he leaned forward to kiss my cheek before pulling out our chairs for us.
“Nice to see you, Sophia,” he said, his voice low but welcoming.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she replied, blushing slightly.
He looked a little confused. “You live here. You can come to every meal if you like.”
As we settled into our seats at the dining table, I saw Riccardo standing guard in the corner of the room. His posture was rigid, his eyes constantly scanning the room for any potential threats. But as they landed on Sophia, I saw something different flicker in their depths.
“Riccardo,” I said, catching his attention. He looked at me and nodded in acknowledgement. It was unusual for him to be so distracted, and yet his gaze kept drifting back to Sophia.
“Is everything all right?” I asked, my voice low and steady.
“Of course, Signora Romano,” he replied, pulling his attention away from Sophia with obvious effort. I raised an eyebrow, studying the way his cheeks flushed slightly under my scrutiny.
“That’s good to hear,” I said, turning my attention back to Sophia. She was nervously picking at her silverware, clearly feeling out of place in the grand dining room. Her eyes caught Riccardo’s for a brief moment and she blushed, quickly looking down at her plate.
As Gina and Maria entered the dining room, each carrying a tray of food, my stomach growled. I’d been so busy working with Nicholas that I’d forgotten to eat lunch.
“Good evening,” Gina greeted us with a warm smile, her accent thick with Italian influence. “Dinner is served. This evening we have a roast beef, with caramelized vegetables and mashed potatoes.”
“Thank you, Gina,” I replied, gesturing for her to place the tray on the table. “I hope it’s to your liking, Sophia.”
Sophia’s eyes widened as she took in the food before us. “It looks amazing,” she exclaimed.
“I’m glad you approve,” I said with a small smile.
Gina carefully placed the plates on the table, each one filled with savory food, steam rising from the freshly cooked beef and vegetables. Nicholas expertly uncorked a bottle of red wine and poured it into our glasses, the rich color reflecting the light of the dining room.
“Is there anything you need, Sophia?” I asked, trying to draw her focus away from the silent bodyguard.
“No, thank you, Liliana,” she stammered, still red-faced. “Everything is lovely.”
“Good,” I said, giving her an encouraging smile. It was clear that both she and Riccardo were taken by one another, whether they realized it or not. The tension between them was almost palpable, and I had to admit, it was a fascinating dynamic to witness.
“Riccardo, why don’t you take a break?” I suggested, my tone nonchalant as though I hadn’t noticed the subtle exchange between him and Sophia. “Enjoy some dinner with us. You’ve been standing guard all day.”
