Page 112 of Empire of Temptation

He stroked his jaw. “I haven’t been on a date in a very long time.”

“Why not?”

“Back home I was working. There wasn’t time for a life outside of the restaurant.”

I could feel myself frown as I thought about this. Roberto and I had been working constantly, him more than me, in getting the restaurant ready to reopen. I’d at least taken some time to be with Luca. When had Roberto taken time for himself?

“I’m giving you the weekend off,” I said as we shuffled forward in line.

“This isn’t necessary, signorina. The restaurant has barely reopened. I don’t need time off.”

“Nonsense. Saturday and Sunday, do not come in. If you do, I’ll call Luca and have him send you home.”

He glanced over at me, surprised. “You would do that to me?”

“In a heartbeat. Sometimes it takes a lion to fight another lion, capisce?”

Roberto threw his head back and laughed, the sound filling the small café. “Very true, very true. Allora . . . I will take time off soon, but not now. When this business with your father is concluded, okay?”

“Don’t be silly, Roberto. I’m serious about time off. Giovanni, too. I want you both to stick around, not get burned out in the first month.”

Roberto threw one arm around me and hugged me. “You have a good soul, Valentina.”

Then Bev was ready for us. As soon as we stepped up to the register, Roberto turned on the charm and started chatting with her like we had all the time in the world. It was adorable.

“Sam,” I said loudly to my friend, who was working on the espresso machine. “I meant to tell you. I can’t go to the show with you. I hope you aren’t mad.”

Sam’s eyebrows lifted. “Remind me, which show was this?”

“The one on Broadway. About the movie from the 1980s.”

“Oh!” Bev perked up. “I’ve been dying to see it.”

I was aware, which was why I’d mentioned it. “Well, you can have my ticket. You and Sam could go together.”

Sam put a cup on the counter. Because she was smart, she played along. “But then who would watch the café? No, I think you should take a friend, Gram. Then the tickets won’t go to waste.”

I tried to sound casual as I scrolled on my phone. “Have you ever seen a Broadway show, Roberto?”

“No, I have not, signorina.”

Sam pointed to the two of them. “You guys should totally go together, then.”

There was an awkward beat of silence, and I wondered why Roberto wasn’t pouncing on this opportunity. Wasn’t this generation supposed to be better at in-person communication? These two were hopeless.

I nudged him gently. “What a good idea. Right?”

“Sì, certo. Would you like to go together, signora?”

“If you’re sure,” Bev said, also awkwardly. “That might be fun.”

The bell above the door jangled. I glanced over and saw Mrs. Picarelli hurrying in. Mrs. P. had worked at the police station, answering phones and filing paperwork, for as long as I could remember. She wore bright colors and comfortable shoes and always had the best gossip in town. She wiped her forehead and then waved. “Whew! Bev, honey. I need an iced Americano, quick.”

Sam turned to make the drink and Bev punched a few buttons on the tablet for the sale. “Gina, what on earth is going on?”

“I’m going to be up all night. Did you see the two trucks go by a few minutes ago?”

“The fire trucks? Of course. Did someone have a heart attack or break something?”

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