Page 21 of Romeo
“Non sono la ragazza di nessuno,” I finally spoke up.I am no one’s girl.
She stopped to stare at me. “You are Italiana?”
I nodded. “Si, i sono.”I am.
“Oh, Santa di Madre!” She rushed over and scooped me up into a tight hug. “Che meraviglia!”How wonderful.
I gasped as all the air left my lungs.
“Maria!” Stephano exclaimed.
She let go of me and looked over at him.
“Why are you strangling the girl?” he demanded.
She tisked. “I am doing no such thing. You are such a ragazzino.”A little boy.
I stared at her in shock. Did she just call Stephano Descalia…a little boy?”
Romeo noted the shocked look on my face. “You need to realize that Zia is…well, um.”
“I’m the comare,” Zia stated proudly. “You know… the Goomah.”
As I understood this word, it sort of meant like a godmother. Or an Italian female leader. I looked from her to Stephano.
He smirked. “She is my sister. And she does have that position here. A mafia princess.” He sniffed arrogantly and said, “Or, I would never allow her to speak to me like she does.”
“Ha! Mafia Princess.” Zia scoffed. “It is because I am not afraid of you.” She smiled at him. “I mean I know many are, Mr. Bad Moon!” She raised her hands up in mock fear and chuckled. “But I’ve seen you in diapers,Mr. Mafia.
I had to try hard to hide my shock and my grin. I felt amazed at how she teased him so effortlessly and she seemed unaffected by his steely eyed glare.
Stephano shook his head and said, “That is not true, she has never seen me in diapers. I am her big brother. She cooksand cleans like some servant but I can’t seem to convince her that she shouldn’t.”
“Shouldn't?” Romeo and Dante exclaimed.
“Papa, her cooking is a reason to be alive!” Dante said.
Romeo laughed. “I have to agree.” He looked around. “All of you are going to see soon. After you have one of her dishes, you will never want to leave.” He glanced back over at his aunt and asked her, “What are we having tonight, Zia?”
“Lasagna,” she replied. “Five layers. Along with my homemade garlic bread. Then tiramisu chocolate mousse for dessert.” She stepped to the side and waved her hand toward the doorway. “All of you are welcome. Please follow Max and I will see you there.” She again looked over at Romeo to add, “Bring your girl along, si?”
We all moved out of the room.
I walked alongside Romeo. I knew I should leave the subject alone, but instead, I asked in a whisper, “Why are they all thinking that I’m your girl?”
He chuckled. “I think they are seeing something that we don’t see yet.”
I paused and stared at him. “Like what?”
He took my hand and pulled me along the hallway. “Like I said, we don't see it yet. Well, maybe you don’t.”
I knew he had flirted a bit with me and we got along really well. And yes, he was the hottest lawyer I’d met in the three years I’d been in New Orleans. Sexy, sweet, funny and warm. I shook my head. Why wasn’t I dating him again? I knew why though. I also hoped he didn’t think we would be dating. That just couldn’t happen. I opened my mouth to tell him this.
“Here we are,” he announced as he took me into the dining room.
The scent in the air was almost ambrosia. It permeated my senses. I slowed my walk and simply reveled in it. “What is that heavenly scent?” I asked.
“Yes, see?” Romeo said as he chuckled. “My father is insane if he wants her to stop cooking.” He led me over and pulled out a chair. “It would be a serious mistake. A sin against all that is holy.”
