Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
At the gates, I chatted with the staff, who assured me everything was fine. I introduced them to Effie, using a word so they understood she was now part of my circle.
“Famiglia.”
They nodded in understanding, and I drove through the gates and up the driveway. Effie stared in awe.
“Roman,” she breathed out. “It is spectacular.”
I helped her from the car, handing her the flowers. “Nonna is happy here.”
“But it is your house?”
“Yes. I live here usually. Always in the winter and spring. The summer, I’m usually busy at the hotel and casino, but I try to be here when I can.”
She stopped walking. “Am I keeping you from your nonna?”
“Lots of things are.”
“I should go back to my place.”
I tightened my grip on her hand. “No talk of that today. Today, we are a couple, and I need Nonna to see that. You promised me that.”
She nodded, but I knew she was still hesitant.
I had to say something, even though I was uncertain of the right words. “We are something, Effie. What, we will figure out on our own. But today, we are Roman and Effie. Got it?”
She squared her shoulders. “Got it.”
I ushered her right to the back garden, where I knew Nonna would be. She was at the table with Aldo and Vi, and I took Effie to her, bending to kiss Nonna’s cheek before introducing them.
“Nonna, this is Effie.”
Effie held out her hand. “I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Volare. Thank you for having me here.”
Nonna looked between us. Her gaze settled on my hand, resting on Effie’s waist. A slight smile crossed her lips.
“You may call me Nonna V. Like Aldo and Vi.”
“Oh, thank you,” Effie murmured. “These are for you.”
Nonna looked intensely pleased as she took the flowers. “So beautiful. And thoughtful.”
“I know you have your own gardens. Roman told me all about them, but I thought you might enjoy some blooms you don’t have already.”
“Flowers are always a delight,” Nonna agreed. “You picked them?”
“She dragged me around the flower market getting the perfect ones,” I said with a smile.
Nonna’s smile grew wider. “Come, child. You shall help me put them in water.”
I began to follow, and Nonna held up her finger. “You sit. Your Effie and I can handle this.”
I looked at Effie, worried, but she smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine, Roman.”
I sat down, watching them disappear into the kitchen.
“God help me,” I muttered.
Vi snorted. “I doubt he’s gonna step in now. Nonna V is gonna grill her, and you are toast.”
That was exactly what I was afraid of.
I leaned forward and poured myself a glass of wine.
I had a feeling I was going to need it.
Nonna made her risotto with garlic and shrimp for lunch. It was one of my favorites. There was also salad and a pasta. Some cold meats and breads. Antipasto. She had gone all out.
I watched Effie carefully, often leaning over to add something to her plate or whisper how well she was doing. She appeared to love the risotto, taking a second helping. She nibbled on the bread and some cheese, making me laugh and tease her about her mouse tendencies. She sipped the white wine, asking quietly if it came from my vineyard.
I relaxed back in my chair, running a finger down her cheek. “It does, Little Tiger. You like it?”
“It’s delicious.”
“I’ll make sure to bring a couple of bottles back with us.”
She turned and kissed my finger that lingered on her skin. “Thank you.”
Without thinking, I brought my finger to my mouth and tapped it on my lips. I looked up and saw Nonna watching us, a delighted smile now on her face. Vi was chuckling, and Aldo dared to start humming again.
I glared and then began to laugh. This entire lunch was amusing. Effie and I were being graded, and so far, we passed.
Before lunch, I’d shown Effie the house. She marveled at the size of it, looking around in wonder at my side of the large home. “All this space for you and you stay at the hotel?”
“At the moment.”
“It is so lovely, Roman.”
I had to agree. It was a great house, although I rarely seemed to be there. Nonna loved it, and that was all that really mattered. We returned to the group, both of us smiling.
“How did you meet?” Nonna asked Effie.
“Um, Roman didn’t tell you?”
Nonna scoffed. “He never tells me anything.”
“Oh. Well, at my diner. Bagels and Bites.”
“We had to take a detour one day. We were stopped by the diner, and I was hungry. I went in to get a sandwich,” I interjected. “Effie came out of the kitchen and”—I spread my hands in a voilà! gesture—“the rest is history. I mean, how could I resist those eyes?”
“Ah, that is where the bagels came from,” Nonna mused. “And what did you think of Roman?”