Page 7 of Highball and Chain

“Honestly, Enzo. Why do you work so hard? It’s not like it’s your restaurant. It belongs to your father. Why doesn’t he hire someone to run it?”

“My name is on the sign.” I jerked free of her. “It’s mine in every way that matters.”

“When will you learn? Nothing you do will make your father proud." She had the audacity to bat her lashes after she’d verbally kicked me in the balls.

Nico might have known me well enough to play me like a keyboard, but she’d forgotten familiarity went both ways.

“When will you learn to stop causing drama to get your father’s attention?”

“I have learned. I’ve grown up since we dated. I’m living my own life. Isn’t it about time you did the same?”

I’d heard enough. Time to cut to the chase. “Why are you here?”

“Is it so hard to believe that I missed you?”

“Yeah, it is.”

She threw her hands up. “Your mother called and told me about Gabe’s engagement. It got me thinking about you. About us.”

I nodded. This I could understand. Women tended to freak out when someone got married, pregnant, engaged—it started their clocks ticking or some shit. What I didn’t understand was why my mother had called her of all people. “Nico…”

She slid her arms around me and pressed her face to my chest. “I’ve loved you since I was ten years old.”

“Listen.” I kept my hands at my sides. “We’ve tried.”

“I was little more than a child.”

And you’re still acting like one. “I don’t mean to hurt you, but I’m not interested.”

“I don’t believe you.” She narrowed her eyes. “Unless there’s someone else?”

Shanna danced across my mind. I should have called her. Had I reached out, I suspected I’d have a different answer to Nicolina’s question. “There’s no one else.”

“I’ll stay for a week. Spend time with you. See how things go?”

I scanned the ceiling. God, if you’re listening. I could use some divine intervention. “You think we can stand each other for a week straight?”

Likely sensing she’d won the argument, Nicolina grabbed my face. “We can if we spend most of it in bed.”

A sharp intake of breath caught my attention. I turned to find Shanna and Gabe staring—neither seemed amused.

Certain I looked as guilty as I felt, I took a step back. I couldn’t stop staring. Shanna’s unassuming beauty stole my breath. With very little make-up, a pixie-cut, and an embroidered dress, she reminded me of a heroine from one of the old black and white movies my mother loved so much.

“Nico, good to see you. When did you get into town?” My brother stepped forward and kissed her cheeks.

If she responded, I didn’t hear her over the whoosh of blood rushing behind my ears.

Shanna swallowed hard and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

I searched for something to say to her. Something that wouldn’t set Nico off.

“Gabe said someone poisoned the soup?” She scanned the busy kitchen. “Have you called the police?”

Nico whipped her head toward Shanna like a shark scenting blood in the water.

“I’d rather not involve the cops tonight and ruin the party.” I motioned for her to follow me.

Thank Christ, Gabe used his common sense and distracted Nico with wedding talk.

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