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When Carlo raises an eyebrow, I realize I’ve been staring, and I quickly get to work on knotting the tie. He leans down slightly so I can do so, considering he’s much taller than me.
“You look beautiful, by the way,” he says gruffly.
I picked out a black dress and wore it without much thought because I was nervous about tonight. But his comment warns my heart regardless.
“Thank you,” I murmur, hating how my cheeks heat at his words.
Once I’m done with the tie, I step back to admire my handiwork.
“There, now you look like the man of my dreams,” I say sarcastically.
He looks like a creature of the night stepping into the light. But I keep that to myself. It’ll only reinforce his belief that we’re opposites, and I’m of the firm belief that nothing’s ever black or white. There are gray areas, and Carlo has his as well.
“Come on,dolcezza. Let’s go meet the parents,” he says.
With surprising ease, he wraps his hand around my waist. The touch burns, but I don’t flinch. I really have grown comfortable with him. While most people would be unable to relax in his presence, I find I can do that fairly easily. It’s odd.
My parents are in the kitchen when we walk in. Family night signifies the one night where my mom actually uses the kitchen. The staff usually excuse us while we take care of dinner on our own.
We walk in on them speaking.
“Be nice, Salvador,” my mom is saying, but she falls silent when they notice us at the doorway.
“Mom, Dad,” I say, looking at each of them.
Their eyes are fixed on Carlo, and I don’t miss the unfriendly look my father gives him. Damn, he’s really not taking this well.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bianchi,” Carlo greets politely. “You have a wonderful home.”
“You used to spend a lot of time here when you were little,” Mom says, walking forward and pulling him into a hug. “Though I doubt you’d remember. I was pregnant with Tori then. You were only four. Christian was a baby, so he was usually with your mother, but you always used to follow your dad around. Remember, Salvador?” she asks, jabbing her elbow into my dad’s stomach.
He glares at her briefly before turning to us. “Right. From what I remember, you and Carman were practically inseparable as you grew up.”
When I look at Carlo, I notice the way he’s tensed. It’s not particularly obvious. His face is still a blank, polite mask but I can tell he’s uncomfortable with the topic of discussion. I quickly change it.
“So, what are we having for dinner?”
I walk in further and my mom and I start discussing what we could cook. We quickly put the men to work cutting vegetables and setting the table. Cooking together is our way of bonding. Carlo gives no indication of being uncomfortable with it. He does everything my mother asks without complaint. Dinner’s ready in an hour and we all move to the dining table to eat.
“So, Carlo,” my dad begins, “how’s work in the Cosa Nostra?”
I shoot him a subtle glare. Seriously? In what world is that polite dinner conversation?
For his part, Carlo simply shrugs, looking him in the eye as he replies. “Mostly managerial duties, sir. Christian’s in charge of running the family, I just assist him to the best of my ability.”
“I’ve heard of your contributions over the years. Christian might be in charge, but you’ve really taken a firm hand in dealing with things.”
“I do my best,” he says simply.
He doesn’t seem bothered by people bringing up what he does or what his family business involves. Most people would shy away from speaking of such a profession, but Carlo seems almost proud.
“Dad, aren’t you going to ask me about my work?” I question, changing the topic of conversation again.
My dad turns to me, his brown eyes growing warm. “Of course, honey. How are things at the hospital?”
My mother butts in before I can reply. “Sometimes I still can’t believe she went to medical school and stuck with it,” she says to Carlo with a smile. “She used to tell us all the time that one day, she’d be a doctor, but her father and I thought it was just a phase. She stuck with it, though. When she wants something, Astoria can be quite relentless.”
“You should be proud of her,” Carlo says. “She’s a wonderful doctor, kind and selfless. She really cares about her patients.”
