“Excuse me.” Luciano left, returning with his fiancée.
She smiled warmly at Greystone. “I’m glad you’re here.” Her gaze jumped to Caroline. “I’m Simone.” She shook Caroline’s hand.
“Caroline,” she replied.
“It’s good to meet you,” Simone said.
“Same.”
“Grey, I need your address,” Simone said. “We’re mailing wedding invitations and Luciano told me you’re a groomsman.”
“Yup,” Greystone said. “Caroline?”
“I’d love to,” Caroline replied.
“Done,” Greystone pulled out his phone. A few seconds later, Luciano’s phone binged.
“You have couple speak,” Elsa said. “Grandpa and I had that.”
“Couple speak?” Greystone asked.
Elsa cast a smile in their direction. “Abbreviated talking, like a secret language.”
Caroline laughed. “Grey isn’t a big talker, so it’s more about me figuring out what he’s saying than a secret language, but I love that.”
Elsa rose. “Simone, let’s get you something to eat.”
While Simone ate, Slash made coffee. After it had brewed, Elsa brought out a chocolate cake.
Greystone read the words written in white frosting:
Benvenuti a casa, Greystone
“Thank you,” Greystone said to his grandmother.
“Not my idea,” Luciano said.
Greystone slid his gaze to his brother, but he chose to stay silent.
“Lulu, no,” Elsa said.
“Luciano,” Simone echoed. “Don’t be difficult.”
“Greystone, you hired Willie Boy to help manage the restaurant,” Luciano said.
Greystone stayed silent.
Luciano glanced at Gabriel, then at Teddy.
“We gotta talk,” Teddy said as he threw his arm around Greystone’s shoulder. “On the porch.”
“I’m good,” Greystone pushed back.
“Bro, it’s important,” Teddy said.
“Dieci minuti. Devi sapere cosa sta succedendo,” Gabriel added. “Ten minutes. You gotta know what’s going on.”
“Per favore,” Luciano insisted.
