By the time I get the flowers put down, Chloe and Gracie are settled on the couch, and to my absolute shock, Venus is curled up on Chloe’s lap. She looks like she might pounce at any time, but this is the only time I’ve seen the old dog warm up to anyone who isn’t Ma or Grace.
Vito tumbles down the stairs, his wet hair flapping in his face, and interrupts their chatter. Ma introduces him to Chloe, and they all exclaim in a new round of admiration that Chloe has tamed the snarky Venus.
I watch Chloe’s face, all shy smiles and self-conscious flushes, as they talk about her like she’s not standing right there, and something curls around my heart.
I hate the sensation, something all fluttery and unsettled sinking deep into my chest.
I am actually relieved when I hear the front door open, and my brother Benito starts bellowing.
“I’m here!” Benny shouts and slams the door behind him before kicking off his shoes.
“You were almost late!” my mother shouts back from the living room. “Your father got ten more gray hairs waiting.”
“Bullshit.” Benito strides into the living room, looks over the group, and leans down to kiss my mother. Noticing Chloe, he adds, “Pardon my language. I didn’t realize we had a guest.”
Benny kisses our sister and slaps Vito on the back, then extends a hand to Chloe. I can see his body language change immediately, and he straightens his shoulders and lifts his chin.
“I’m Benito,” he says. “And you are?”
She takes his hand much more quickly than she took mine the other day, and I have to fight a prickle of white-hot jealousy. Which is absolutely stupid, not to mention unreasonable.
First of all, my brother is a player. He’s like this with every woman he meets.
Second, not five minutes ago, I was hoping Chloewouldshow an interest in one of my brothers and take the pressure off me. I should just sit back and enjoy the show.
But now, with Venus in Chloe’s arms, Ma batting her eyelashes, and Benny and Vito turning on the charm, I’m not sure what I feel.
Pops comes into the living room and jerks a thumb at me. “Everything’s ready,” he says, which is my cue to start bringing the food to the table.
We eat family style, so every serving platter and bowl in the house needs to be filled and set out.
“Son,” he says to Benny, giving my brother a smooch on the cheek. “One of these times, you could try to come more than ten seconds before we sit.” Pops slows, and his voice softens as he approaches Chloe. “And you must be Chloe. Nice to finally meet you, sweetheart. You’re all I’ve heard about for weeks now.”
Chloe stands with Venus in her arms and says something I can’t fully make out. But I must be staring at her, because as soon as Pops kisses her cheek and adds his surprise to everyone else’s that Chloe’s managed to tame the beast in Venus, my dad turns to me.
“You okay, son?” He squints at me but then motions with a thumb to my brothers. “One of you help Franco bring out the food.”
“I got it,” I grunt, realizing I’m the only one who seems pissed off and sour.
Even Gracie seems to warm to Chloe and is more animated and friendly than she is at a normal dinner.
“Franco.” I hear disappointment in my mother’s voice.
“What is it?” I pause on my way to the kitchen. “I need to help Pops serve.”
Ma is glaring at the table where I’ve rearranged the place settings. She shakes her head but doesn’t argue with me.
I pound my way into the kitchen and take a deep breath.
It’s one dinner.
Then it’ll be over, and I can tell Ma to stop trying to set me up for good.
4
CHLOE
Family dinnerwith the Bianchis is…a lot.
