Page 40 of Ciao, Amore

Her answering laugh warmed him inside, and at the same time, his body went scorching hot, even at his own joke. He would very much love to get her dirty, if she had any doubt.

“Bye, Nico.” She shut the door in his face, and he sighed.

Oh well. If this morning was a gauge about how much she wanted him inside her again, she’d crack sooner rather than later. He went to his room to go get ready for her.

The terrace was gorgeously lit with string lights that night as Nico stepped onto the stone balcony above to survey the scene. The soft glow showcased the elegant gilt-edged cutlery, glasses, and plateware on the long oak table. Crystal-cut bowls of fresh pink and purple blooms interspersed with tealight candles graced the thick cream tablecloth beneath them. For now, the cloth was pristine before they had their meal and their wine.

The evening air was balmy without the humidity of the daytime. The surrounding villas twinkled on the hills like fireflies. Yachts bobbed in the water, the reflection of their glowing windows rippling on the surface. The one tradition that had been amended to fit with the more safety-conscious times was the substitution of electric torches for the old ones with live fire lining the grass around the patio. Everything was perfect.

Nico was in his new charcoal windowpane-patterned suit from Zegna,with a cobalt-blue tie over a crisp white dress shirt, keeping an eye on the staircase leading from the upper floor of the villa for his family members’ arrivals. As he did every year, he’d had his suit made in New York, then shipped ahead. Dani had helped him choose the tie via video with input from Gina, but she hadn’t seen him in the full ensemble.

He had to admit, he did love a well-tailored suit and was excited to see her reaction. Having a reason to wear them more often for business would be an upside to taking on the winery, but in the meantime, he’d settle for one night to impress her in something other than his Yankees cap and sweats.

A glance at his watch reassured him that there was still plenty of time for the commencement of the event. The hired staff, under Cetta’s direction, was busy making their last touches to the table and making sure the deep-maroon carpeting that ran from the granite steps of the balcony to the terrace wouldn’t slip. The photographer in the garden alcove below was all set to take commemorative photos of each couple later in the evening if that’s what they wished. The DJ was set up in his spot, waiting until after the three musicians were done with the acoustic set.

“Real red-carpet shit,” he murmured to himself with a grin. Maybe it was old-fashioned and ostentatious, but he couldn’t wait for Dani to experience it.

“Here you are,” Lina said, appearing at his elbow. Nico turned at her touch on his arm.

He’d seen her earlier when he came in from lunch, but she had quickly left to go chase after the kids, even though the nanny was right there and had the situation handled. Now he steeled himself, knowing it was time for their talk before Dani showed up.

“You look great tonight, Ma,” he said. His mother was wearing a gauzy floor-length periwinkle gown that floated when she walked. Her dark-brown hair was in an intricate updo, no doubt created by the hair and makeup team Nonni arranged to help all the women that night. “The babies all set upstairs?” he asked.

“Why, thank you,” she responded with a small grin and half curtsy. “Yes, they’re watching movies with the nanny. You look so handsome tonight, Nicky. Did Gina help you pick that tie?”

“Yes, and Daniela too.” His mother’s cheeks turned a deeper pink in the lighting. Her blue eyes swept the terrace below. “You know…you could’ve been a little more welcoming to her this morning at the beach.”

“I said hello. It’s not like I didn’t speak at all,” Lina said, a hint of defensiveness in her tone. “Did she tell you to say something? Because if she did, I don’t think I appreciate you taking sides with somebody you’ve just met over your mother.”

Nico wasn’t going to play that game. “Actually, she asked me not to bring it up. It’s not a question of sides, Ma. It’s basic politeness to someone I brought as my guest. I’d expect the same for any of my friends but especially for her.”

“Fine. I’ll be nice as long as she’s around, however long that might be.”

Nico’s ears perked up at that remark. “What does that mean?”

“Daniela seems like a nice girl, but you just met her. We really don’t know anything about her. There’s no history, no ties. But I’m sure you’ll see for yourself sooner or later if she’s here for you or for this.”

Lina gestured with her soft chin to the scene below, to the grandeur of the evening, their way of life.

Nico knew this old song she was singing note for note. Tori, Merelys, Vanessa. Every woman he himself dated before Tracy, in Lina’s mind: gold-diggers. And apparently, she was picking right back up where she’d left off with the suspicions.

“Finish your trip. Show Daniela a good time. But I’m concerned for you, Nico. Just please be careful and don’t rush into anything,” Lina said softly.

“Ma,” Nico uttered. “I appreciate your concern. But I would also appreciate it if for once you didn’t make my dating life your business.”

“You made it my business when you brought her to this house,” she retorted, the flush deepening in her face.

“Look, you don’t have to like my choice, but you will respect it. Youwillbe polite to her.”

This was the second time in his life that he’d walked away from a heated conversation with his mother. The second time over the same goddamned topic. He wouldn’t stop speaking to her like last time and make everyone else uncomfortable on the trip. But the suggestion that Dani was a gold-digger and that what was growing between them was meaningless? That refrain bothered him now more than ever before.

Dani had come all the way there thinking he was a barber from the Bronx who’d happened to scrape up enough money for a nice vacation. She’d allowed him to kiss her, touch her, because she liked him for who he’d told her he was. If anyone was scheming, it was him—to get in her bed, back inside that luscious body. To go deeper than that. As deep as she’d let him.

It was getting harder to believe what was happening between them was all pretend. He had to admit that for him, it wasn’t an act. Unfortunately, he really didn’t know what her intentions were toward him—not regarding the money but in her heart.

Nico checked his watch again, eagerness to see Dani again rising sharply, along with his need to hold her and regain his equilibrium after that conversation with Lina. The sounds of engines approaching and shutting off reached him from the driveway, followed by the slamming of doors. The energy in the air crackled as footsteps approached from the path next to the villa from the drive. Voices echoed as the guests passed under the stone arch that led to another set of stairs from the lower level.

At the same time, Nonno and Nonni appeared from the ground floor back doors. Seeing them eased his anxiety somewhat, and he grinned to see how beautifully dressed they both were, Nonno in his dark formal suit and Nonni wearing a sophisticated navy dress and low heels. They took their seats on the two carved-wood chairs set for them at the back of the terrace.