“I’m Tony. Do you like my outfit? Uncle Enzo said you drove a fast car like in the races. Are you a race-car driver?”
I was slightly mortified at my cousin, but a slow smile came to Liam’s face and he squatted down so he wasn’t towering over Tony.
“I am not a race-car driver, but your uncle was right; I do have a fast car. I think your outfit is awesome. Do you know where I can buy one?”
Tony shook his head.
“You can ask my mother. She got it for me last Halloween, but I think it’s an outfit that can be worn all year round. Race-car drivers wear them all the time, right?”
“I agree. You look ready for a race.”
My cousin looked at me and smiled.
“I approve. He can stay.”
Then, just like a normal six-year-old, he grabbed my youngest sister’s hand and dragged her off to play. Liam rose again and smiled. Facing my family, he tilted his head and took a deep breath.
“One down… how many more approvals to go?”
As my family started to laugh, my father pushed us forward and slowly started to introduce Liam around. Thankfully, my father’s arrival officially started dinner preparations. I know sometimes I complained about Rosalina and her nosiness, but sometimes she really made up for it. Like today. Taking charge, Rosalina grabbed Liam by the sleeve and told the rest of the family to back away until dinner was ready.
“You two can start us off.”
Liam looked at me, surprised when he found an apron being shoved in his hands.
I smiled.
“So… it’s sort of a do-it-yourself family dinner.”
His eyes lit up.
“We get to make our own pizza?”
Throwing my own apron on, I nodded and motioned to the line of toppings. My eldest brother winked at me and took a place near the dough.
“Hey, Sis, seems like it’s been forever. Mind if I am your official dough toss specialist for the evening?”
Kissing his cheek, I shook my head.
“You know you’re my first choice. After Papa, of course.”
Alessandro introduced himself to Liam and started to form our pie crust. Although we all pitched in at the restaurant, there were only a few of our family members who were good at forming the dough. Alessandro always managed to toss it into perfect circles. As we watched him, Liam’s hand started to gently rub my back, but his eyes seemed transfixed on my brother. When he finally slid the pie crust toward us at the sauce station, he lifted his chin at Liam.
“I told you she was special. Glad you’re not a douche. If you hurt her, though, I’ll break your fingers.”
My eyes widened.
“Alessandro!”
Liam squeezed my shoulder.
“He’s just being a good brother. Plus, I have no intention of ever hurting you. Now come on, this is my first pizza. We have to make it spectacular!”
We laughed the whole way through the pizza-making process. More than a few of my relatives started watching us with small smiles on their faces. I was glad most of them seemed to approve of Liam. I’m sure he must have been a least a little bit nervous to be here. Once the pizza was in the oven, I slipped my hand into Liam’s and motioned toward the tables.
“Gio, can you grab ours when it’s ready?”
My brother nodded since he had just tossed his own in the oven and I guided Liam through the crowd to a table near the window. He slid in next to me, his arm resting on the back of my chair.
