If Gabriele takes offense at that statement, he doesn't show it. He picks up his glass and sips his champagne. I do likewise, setting mine down when the final couple arrives.
The Kellers, it turns out, are a British couple. He works in finance, a topic guaranteed to send me to sleep. Tall, broad and entirely too sure of himself, he drops onto his seat and leaves his wife to pull out her own chair.
His wife is at least twenty years younger than him and wearing a green velvet dress with a slit up to the thigh and a generous amount of cleavage on display. I know now I made the right choice with my more demure gown.
As the first course is served, Carolina Vicente draws me into conversation about her grandchildren. I respond to her question about our plans for a family with a standard line about needing to settle into our marriage first.
It's not until the waiter comes to remove our plates that I realize Gabriele has eaten nothing.
When the fish course arrives, a delicious sea bass with Sicilian lemon, he doesn't touch it either. He just moves the food around his plate with his fork. The fillet of beef also goes uneaten. Then dessert arrives, a chocolate mousse. Gabriele picks up his spoon and eats every mouthful.
Tears well in my eyes as I realize it's because he doesn't have to chew it. I blink them back, not wanting to draw attention.
"Boy, I'm stuffed," I say as I push my dessert bowl toward Gabriele. "Would you eat this for me? I hate to let it go to waste."
If Gabriele understands why I'm sacrificing the delicious chocolate mousse, he doesn't acknowledge it. He simply accepts the bowl and finishes the dessert.
Coffee is served next and Dario Vicente uses the opportunity to tell us about the incredible Ecuadorian blend they were served on their last cruise. It doesn't take long to see Gabriele was rightabout avoiding the subject. Once they start, the Vicentes don't stop.
As I accept a refill of my coffee, I become aware of Signora Keller staring at Gabriele. She stares at his face, his eye patch, with a mix of morbid curiosity and blatant desire.
Obviously aware of her scrutiny, Gabriele stiffens. His shoulders grow taut. His fingers, on the tablecloth, begin a slow unconscious tap. It's a signal of discomfort. I wait a beat to see if Signora Keller will look away. She doesn't.
Plastering a smile on my face, I place my hand over Gabriele's and weave our fingers together.
"Signora Keller, forgive me." My tone is saccharine. "But if you continue to stare at my husband that way I'm going to assume you're trying to steal him from me." I pause to let that sink in. "And I should warn you, I am an extremely possessive woman."
The table goes still. Signora Keller's cheeks redden beneath the too-thick layer of foundation she's wearing. She throws down her napkin, gets to her feet and storms away, her clueless husband trailing behind her.
Carolina Vicente squeezes my arm and leans closer.
"Well done, dear."
We return to the conversation about their travels and I'm surprised to learn the Vicentes have been to some genuinely interesting places.
The evening passes quickly and the speeches reveal the money raised is for childhood leukemia research. Gabriele is lauded for donating five million euros but he doesn't stand to accept acknowledgment.
When we can finally leave without appearing rude, I say goodnight to the Vicentes and Marinos and we head back out to the car. I lean back and close my eyes. As we drive home I feelGabriele's gaze on me. I turn to find him watching me with an unreadable expression.
"Did I disappoint you tonight?" I ask. "That thing with the Keller woman."
"No, you were perfect." He takes my hand and rests it on his lap. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"
"No," I say with a grin. "Tell me now."
TEN
Gabriele
Tonight was notthe ordeal I anticipated it would be. It turns out Lukas was right when he suggested I would do better at these big events if I had someone else to focus on.
It helped, of course, that the venue was one I was familiar with. I've visited the Palazzo Aurelio many times since I was a boy. I know the layout, the entrances and exits. It's a building I'm comfortable with.
Despite all that, I would probably have backed out of the event if it hadn't been for Katya. With my wife by my side, I had to put my own troubling thoughts aside.
My need to ensure she was safe was more important than whatever I was feeling. I spent less of the night in my own head than I usually would.
Parts of the evening were almost enjoyable but there were moments where my progress was almost derailed. To my surprise, Katya stepped in each time to smooth things over. I don't know how she read me so well, but she seemed to know just when a situation was threatening to overwhelm me.
