Page 18 of The Agreement

“What gave her the near heart attack? A woman in my kitchen or you wanting to cook?” Val finally turned and looked at him, her eyes bright with mischief.

“I think it was more the fact that you have a woman on your hands that might actually have some smarts, for one.” Vinny laughed as he walked into the kitchen and over to her.

“Yes, that may very well be in fact.” Vinny let his eyes trail over her, not wanting to admit how he liked seeing her like this, in charge of his kitchen and cooking. Not that he wasn’t all for women being in the work field, but there was something very sexy about seeing her like this. “Have you been cooking long?”

“It’s a staple, I thought, with every family; you know your way around a kitchen before you know how to talk.” He laughed again as he grabbed a carrot she was cutting and took a bite.

“Yes, I do believe it is. What are you making?”

“Oh, spaghetti and a salad. Time was rather limited and it was faster.” Vinny eyed the salad and then reached for the pot lid but before he could grab it, she slapped his hand. “No, you must wait.”

“What is it with you women and your kitchen? No one’s allowed in or allowed to touch.”

“Our domain!” she told him. “And we don’t want you to ruin anything.”

“Fine, fine, anything I can do to help?”

“Um, would you like some wine? The table was set and everything is just about done.”

“Sure, I’ll be right back.” Val nodded at Vinny and sat the bowl on the table, along with the dressing. And just as she finished plating everything, he came back with the wine. “Wow, this looks great!”

“Thank you.” They both sat down and Vinny poured the wine for each of them. “Outside of numbers, the kitchen is my safe haven. I tend to get away in there and just let go. Be forewarned that when I do that, I tend to make very random things. They may seem crazy but they will always be good.” He took a bite and then glanced up at her, making her eyebrow pop up. “What?”

“Don’t you ever tell my mother but I think this just became my favorite. Wow, this is really good.” He took another bite and she laughed.

“It’s a special dish, I add a few spices that no one thinks to add and it helps draw out other flavors.”

“Yeah, my mom would dislike you if she found out you made this. But I totally love it,” he took a sip of wine and looked at her. “When you get your degree, what was your plan for it?”

“Sit with my father, help him, and be on his actual payroll.” She stopped before she took her drink and looked at him. “Would you allow that?”

“Allow you to work? Of course. Allow you to work for your dad as a rival family; yes. It’s not like you will be working for any sort of competitor. I work in clubs and bars and your dad works in real estate, two different worlds.”

“Joey is taking that over too, so I would be helping him as well when I can I guess.”

“You have a unique spot. You will be part of both families and as such, will be helping both,” Vinny told her, actually admiring that even more about her.

“I’m not sure my dad thought about that when he said yes to the truce.” They shared a laugh and Vinny had to at least mentally acknowledge how nice this was, to have someone to talk to, someone who understood where his life was and what it was.

“I don’t think they thought too much about it, honestly.”

“Does anyone know about it?” she asked him as she set her fork down and pushed her empty plate away.

“I’m glad to see you’re a female who eats.”

“Food is too good not to enjoy.”

“Agreed. And the only one who knows is Salvorte, he had to as my second,” he answered, not needing to explain more to her.

“Same. Joey was the only one and that’s for boss reasons. Are you done?” He nodded and she grabbed the plates and headed back into the kitchen.

“Do you have plans tomorrow, Val?”

“Just two classes in the morning, but free after that, why do you ask?”

“My mom and my sisters want to take you to lunch. Get to know you and maybe discuss a couple of things for the wedding.” She set the dishes down in the sink and let out a breath.

“Yeah, guess we have to start planning that huh?”

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