“You made this?” He pointed to the cookie on the plate. “For me?”
“Surprised? You know I’d do anything for you.” I slipped my foot out of my loafer and rubbed my foot up his leg. “Sweets for the sweet,bello.” I grinned, watching his blush rise under his late-evening scruff.
“Okay, honey, let’s go and leave your uncles alone.” Val took her hand and tugged.
“But I wanna see,” Tina whined.
“Come and I’ll tell you a secret.”
Mike picked her up and whispered into her ear, sending her into a spate of giggles. He walked away with her clinging to his neck, staring at me over his shoulder. I winked at her before they disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Torre and me alone.
I quirked a brow. “Looks like abomboniera.” A gift given to guests at an Italian wedding.
“Open it.” Torre’s eyes glowed, and I pulled the ribbon. Inside the box were seven pieces of confetti—the traditional sugared almonds—and a folded gold-printed ribbon.
I peered at the writing.
“Merry Christmas. Today and forever?”
I closed my eyes for a second, and Torre placed his hand over mine. “Are you okay?”
“Eat your cookie.”
He smiled. “I’m not that hungry. Dinner was so filling.”
Of course he’d give me trouble.
I laced our fingers together. “At least one bite.”
“Frisco. I’ll eat it later. You don’t have to dance away from the question if you don’t want to answer.”
“You’re ruining my moment.” I picked up the cookie. “Take a nice big bite. Just for me. Later I’ll give you something else to put in your mouth you’ll like even more.”
“You’ll never grow up, will you?”
I grinned and put the cookie to his lips. “You love it. Admit it. Now open wide.”
Torre rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched. “Will you stop after this?” But he took a bite.
“Ow. What the hell is in here…” His eyes grew so wide, I feared they might pop out of his head. Carefully, he put his fingers to his lips and took out the gold ring. “Frisco,” he whispered. His hands shook. “What is this?”
I put my hand over his. “I think it’s a ring. At least Press told me it was when I bought it.”
“I know what it is. But…” He held it up. “It’s a fede ring, isn’t it? I see the two hands clasped.” He held it aloft, the candle’s flame picking up the golden sheen. “That’s a marriage band.”
“I’m aware of its meaning.”
He set the band in the palm of his hand and his eyes grew wet, the thick lashes spiky with tears. “Who would’ve thought the first time you walked in here would be the last time my heart would be my own?”
“Tell me. Tell me what’s in your heart.”
“Or who? Because it’s you.” He held my hand. “I had to ask myself. ‘What do you get the man who has everything?’ And all I could think of was…forever.”
I picked up the ring and slid it on his finger. “Forever isn’t enough time. Maybe forever and beyond? Wherever that might lead us.”
Torre gazed at the ring on his finger, a smile on his lips. “Take out the ribbon.”
“That’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
