Page 70 of Ciao, Amore

Their eyes locked and Angelo paused again. Finally, with raised eyebrows, he shrugged.

“Shit. So long as I get to be your best man, I’m down for a wedding a year or two from now. Well, it’s gettin’ late. Let me go get my kid.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

25

AMAZING HIGHS / DEEP LOWS

NICO

Then all at once,it was the night before their departure. The trip was coming to an end. Nico got ready for the evening with mixed emotions. So much had happened for him there, some amazing highs and some deep lows. He still hadn’t talked to most of the family, as they were cautious and distant whenever they’d seen him or Dani. This was the night he would let everybody know what his plans were, and he knew either way, there’d be some hard feelings. But hopefully some good ones too.

Maybe that was being too naive.

When he and Dani descended the steps to the terrace hand in hand, dressed in formal wear once again, they didn’t receive many smiles. Nonno was the exception; he looked thrilled at their appearance. Even Angelo was subdued.

UnlikeLa Processione, Nonno and Nonni were already at both ends of the dining table. Once Nico and Dani were seated beside each other, Nonno signaled for the staff to commence serving the food. Nico only chatted with Dani and Merelys, who asked them questions about Positano. Merelys kept saying Tommy had never taken her there and gushed about how romantic it sounded. Tommy stared into space and had nothing to say.

After the meal, Nonno rose to give his customary speech to conclude the reunion, wishing them all good health in the coming year until the next festival. Then he nodded toward Nico.

Tension knotted Nico’s chest, knowing what was coming next. Dani grasped his hand and smiled at him. He kissed her cheek in gratitude for the silent encouragement while Lina gave them a long look with pursed lips. She hadn’t said a word to them the whole evening.

“And now, we have news. As of next year, there will be a new CEO of the D’Alessio family winery. I am so very proud of him, and I trust that you all will support him as he takes on this important role for our family. Let’s raise a glass to our Nico.”

Everyone drank, their faces now downcast at the news.

“Well. That’s that for that,” Patrick murmured to Tino, who looked crestfallen.

“It’s alright, Pop,” Angelo said, leaning closer to his father.

Nico cleared his throat. He’d been thinking of what to say since his talk with Angelo. None of it would be easy, especially now. He sat up straighter and squared his shoulders. Angelo gave him an encouraging nod and a grin. That, plus Dani’s smile, gave Nico the green light to speak.

“I know the news about me moving here might not be a surprise. It’s something that’s been planned for years. Even so, it’s gonna be a big change for me, not being with you guys. I’ve always been proud to be part of a close family. And that’s why I need to say a few things before we leave tomorrow.”

They were all paying him their full attention. Glasses down, eyes wide. It would have been comical if his chest wasn’t thumping a mile a minute. Nico took another deep breath and turned to Tommy, who looked as though he was bracing himself for whatever Nico had to say.

“Tommy, I shouldn’t have blamed you for what Brizio did. I know you wouldn’t have told him to purposely hurt Dani. I still don’t like your role in it. Whatever issues we have, we should’ve talked out a long time ago. We can still work on them. You’re my brother and I love you. That won’t change.”

Nico’s throat was full but he was relieved he’d been able to say what needed to be said.

“Alright. I’m—sorry too, Nico,” Tommy said hesitantly. His eyes went glassy, but not from the wine he’d been drinking. His mouth moved as though he wanted to say more, but he fell silent, a red flush on his cheeks.

Nico nodded with a grin. He turned his gaze to Tori, then Nonni, and finally Lina.

“Nonni, Tori. I’m sorry for calling you out. And Ma. You were right. I did lie to you, to all of you. I won’t get into why I felt I had to, but I’m apologizing for it.”

The silence that followed was deep. Dani reached for his hand, and he squeezed hers gratefully. His chest still roiled with tension as his mother looked down at her half-empty plate.

It was Patrick that spoke next. “Lina. Your son just apologized to you. Do you have anything you want to say to him?”

Lina looked at him with a cool expression, one he knew all too well. Clearly, she was still pissed about their parting words last week and would gladly stay righteously angry. Nico inhaled and exhaled, summoning the better of his angels, and waited.

“Well, I’m glad you acknowledged what you did. I thought it would be another few months before you spoke to me again.” There was a slight sheen in her eyes now, a little less of the haughtiness he’d first detected in her bearing. “Apology accepted.”

“And?” Patrick’s eyebrow lifted.

Lina cut her eyes at him, then looked at Nico. “And I…could have been nicer to you, Dani, as our guest. My apologies for that.”

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