Page 12 of Good as Gold
CHAPTER4
LEILA
I can’t decide how I feel about hanging out with Matteo again after all this time.
He steers me downstairs to the buffet, taking care to place himself behind me in line like a gentleman. We load our plates with ribs, brisket, and coleslaw. Mashed potatoes with garlic and chives. Homemade cornbread.
“What a spread,” he says. “Let’s find you a seat, and then I’ll score us some drinks.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
He’s making it very hard to stay angry at him. I’m a little annoyed at myself for that. Men have a habit of walking all over me, and I have a habit of forgiving them. It’s kind of a pattern.
But you can’t growl at a man who pulls out your chair at his family’s table and asks very politely whether you’d prefer beer or cider. I choose the cider, and I wait patiently as his mother, two brothers, his sister, and various spouses gather around the table.
Matteo and his uncle Otto take the last two seats, and then we all dig in. Otto is the first to speak. “Matteo, I have a proposition for you. There’s some work that needs doing around here this summer. Your family could use your help.”
Zara—Matteo’s sister—laughs. “Brace yourself, big brother. Fourteen years of odd jobs coming your way.”
“The man owes us,” Otto says, and he’s not joking at all. “He’s been off in Aspen, partying, getting soft, while the rest of us have been building something good in this town.”
Whatever Matteo has been up to in Aspen,getting softwas not on the list. I can’t help but notice how well the man fills out a dress shirt. And when we were dancing, I found that hard bodyverydistracting. As usual.
Seeing him again is both wonderful and terrible. And so confusing.
Across the table from me, Zara rolls her eyes at her uncle, and I try to focus on the conversation. Otto is kind a of a hard-ass. He’s one of my father’s business partners, which tracks, because my father is also an unforgiving man.
Mrs. Rossi shakes her head at Otto. “You catch more flies with honey, Otto.”
Matteo doesn’t seem bothered by his uncle’s words. He takes another bite of barbecue, chews slowly, and then responds. “I could stay a couple of weeks, I suppose. What do you need me to do?”
Otto doesn’t get a chance to answer, because the bride and groom approach the table arm in arm, and we all turn to fuss over them. “How’s the food?” May asks.
“Wonderful, honey,” Mrs. Rossi says. “Can I make you a plate? You two should eat, too.”
“We’ll eat in a bit,” Alec says. “We wanted to make the rounds first.”
“This is a nice place, guys,” Matteo says, indicating the room. “Well done.”
“Glad you could drop by and see it for once,” Alec says, his smile slipping off his face.
Uh-oh. I guess I’m not the only one who’s still a little mad at Matteo.
“I’m glad I could come, too,” Matteo says, not taking the bait. “If I’m still around after you two get back from your honeymoon, I’d love to hang out.”
Alec scowls. “We’ll see. But if youreallywant to make amends, you could do a few shifts behind the bar. The schedule is a nightmare while I’m away on our honeymoon.”
“Sure,” Matteo says immediately. “I’m in.”
Alec blinks. “Huh. Okay. Damien is in charge while we’re gone.” He nods at their brother across the table. “Speak to him.”
“I’ll do that.”
May pats her new husband’s arm. “Come on. Unclench your teeth so we can say hello to the Nickels and Father Peters.” She nods toward another table. “Then I want some brisket.”
Alec’s expression softens for his bride. “All right. Let’s go.”
They move on, and Matteo’s sister pokes him in the ribs. “I have a job for you, too, big brother. Can I get in line?”
