Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
We’re back to the reality where no one knows we’ve exchanged wedding vows or ourselves with one another.
I was hoping to share a shower with my husband when we got back to my apartment, but one of his potential clients demanded his attention.
I had to hold in a laugh when I heard Daniel talking to Everest Truscott on the phone as we boarded the elevator on our way up to my floor.
Daniel was patient as he explained that he would meet up with Everest for a drink after dinner tonight.
Apparently, Everest is not a patient man because he wanted the drink to happen during dinner.
Instead of feasting on the baked cod and rice pilaf that Daniel promised to make us, I’m at Calvetti’s in search of a bowl of the ever-elusive minestrone my grandma refuses to serve me.
“Gina!” Marti calls out as soon as she spots me. “Come and give me a hug.”
I’m all in for that, so I cross the crowded restaurant and land in her arms in record time.
I almost always wear heels, but I make a point of never stepping into this restaurant or Marti’s home without them.
The reason is simple and private.
When I hug my grandma like this, with me towering above her, she fits perfectly against me. Her head rests on my chest, and her arms circle my waist.
I always close my eyes and savor the feeling because one day, this will be a memory, and I want it etched in my mind now.
“I knocked on your door last night.” She taps my back with a closed fist three times. “You weren’t there, so tell me about him.”
Since I absolutely cannot do that, I step back from the embrace and sidestep by asking for the one thing I know she wants more than information about any man in my life.
My grandma lives to feed the people she loves, those she likes, and even those she dislikes.
“I’m hungry,” I say because it’s not a lie.
She taps her forehead twice. “What am I doing? Of course, you’re hungry. It’s dinnertime, and you can’t cook an egg.”
Um, yeah, I can. It’s the only thing I can cook, but I do it well.
I ignore that and smile. “Can I have the minestrone?”
She laughs like it’s a joke. “I’ll get you a big bowl of spaghetti with meatballs. You love that.”
“I do,” I debate asking for the minestrone again, but I decide to settle for what she’s offering because I know it’ll be delicious.
She looks past me toward the entrance of the restaurant. “Is Daniel coming?”
I wish, but I keep that thought to myself. “He had to meet a client.”
“Just like your brother.” She shakes her head. “Work, work, and more work.”
“Like you,” I point out. “Do you need help?”
She glances around the restaurant. “Tonight, we’re good. You’ll eat. I made it myself.”
I’ll never tire of hearing those words.
“I’ll pack up some for Daniel.” She tilts her chin down. “Is he nice to live with? Are you two having fun?”
The way her eyebrows are bouncing up and down is distracting and a little embarrassing.
“Grandma.”
“What?” She holds both her hands out in front of her. “A grandma can’t hope that her granddaughter is having fun with a handsome man?”
“I’m hungry,” I remind her.
She moves a step forward to pat my shoulder. “I promise you can’t do better than him, Gina. If he likes you like that, give him a chance.”
“If he likes me like that?” I laugh. “I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m an adult now.”
“A very beautiful one.” She slides my hair back over my shoulder. “That’s a nice dress.”
I glance down at the denim dress I’m wearing. “I bought it a long time ago.”
“You were nineteen,” she says. “You bought it the day before your mama’s birthday that year. You wore it to the party, and guess what?”
Stunned that she remembers that, I stare at her. “What?”
“Daniel was at the party, and he liked that dress, too. I saw him looking at you again and again.” She lets out a giggle. “He danced that night. He lost his shoe. I’ll never forget that.”
I won’t either.
“I’ll get the spaghetti and meatballs.” She takes one last look at me. “Four meatballs. I don’t want you to leave here hungry.”
I bow my head to hide my smile. “Thanks, Grandma.”
She kisses my cheek. “I love you, my Gina.”
“I love you, too.”
CHAPTER FORTY
Daniel
“You’ve been smiling since you got here,” Everest points out from across the table. “I haven’t agreed to your terms yet, Daniel, so don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Circling my index finger in front of my face, my smile broadens. “This is a personal smile. It’s not related to business at all.”
He leans back in his chair, eyeing the second glass of expensive scotch just delivered to our table. We’re at Nova, one of the best restaurants in Manhattan.