40
LIANA
When we get to the restaurant, it’s packed so full of patrons I’m shocked when we don’t have to wait to get a window seat.
“Looks like you picked the most popular sandwich shop in Sicily,” I say to Massi as he pulls my chair out for me to sit.
“Only the best for you.” He winks, taking his seat across from me.
The server takes our drink order, then leaves, allowing us time to peruse the menu full of different sandwiches.
After she takes our order, I finally have a moment to focus on Massi and everything that’s happened between us.
“You know, had you asked me at the beginning of the year if I was going to be in Sicily with my husband Massimo Bonetti, I would’ve laughed in your face, then walked away.”
He chuckles, resting his forearms on the edge of the table. “Oh, yeah? And how about now? What’s that beautiful mind thinking of what this year has brought so far?”
“I’m still unsure if I believe it all. You and I? That’s not something I saw from a mile away.”
“How could you not? I gave you a six-year warning, after all.”
I laugh. “Yes, but I ignored you, thinking you were just a crazy person.”
Massi shrugs. “You’re not completely wrong for thinking that… I am a crazy person when it comes to the things I love.”
I shake my head, but my face heats with glee when he says love. As much as that warms my heart, and as much as I can admit I’ve developed feelings for him, I’m not quite ready to say those words. It doesn’t seem to bother him that I haven’t said it yet, but I’m not sure if that’s because he’s putting on a mask.
Our server brings our food and we thank her, then turn our attention back to each other.
“You don’t have to worry about you not saying I love you bothering me,” Massi says.
I choke, a piece of my panelle getting stuck in my throat. Grabbing my drink, I take several sips to flush it down. Massi is about to get up, but I wave him off. “I’m okay,” I cough out, then take another sip of my water.
I should’ve guessed he would be able to read my mind and figure out exactly what I was thinking at that moment.
“Damn, bro, are youtryingto kill your beautiful wife on your honeymoon?” a voice says, and I snap my gaze to its source.
Without looking, Massimo says, “Gui, how did you know we were here?”
“I have your phone tracked, remember?”
Massi slides his gaze to his brother’s. “Fine, then explainwhyyou’re here.”
“Because I’m hungry, duh. You know, I’m a little offended I never got an invite. You left me at the villa with no food. What did you expect me to do?” He grabs a crocché off Massi’s plate and pops it in his mouth. Then he looks over at my plate, takes a panelle, and does the same thing.
“Gui, you need to le?—”
“Why don’t you join us, Gui?” I rush out, then give Massi a cute little smirk when he eyes me.
“What?” I say to him. “You can’t expect him to be cooped up in the villa with no food after dragging him on this unprecedented trip.”
“Aww, Liana, see, I always knew I’d like you,” Gui says.
“He is clearly capable of finding his way around,” Massi says. “There are plenty ofotherrestaurants for him to dine at.”
“By myself?” Gui says, grabbing an empty chair from the table behind us. “That sounds lonely, Massi. You’d make me do that?”
“Of course I would,” he says, but it doesn’t stop the smile that’s shining on Gui’s face.
