Page 56 of The Fall Affair

“I know,” I said with a smile. “I actually understood.”

He put his hand on my lower back, guiding me to follow the host to a quiet table in the corner.

“La lista dei vini.” The host offered a padded leather book of the wine selections, and Matteo gestured for me to take it.

“Oh. Thank you.” I shook my head. “But I think you’re definitely the better person to pick the wine.”

Matteo handed the menu back to the host without opening it and ordered something in Italian. This time, I couldn’t catch what he said, but it sounded sexy as hell. That accent might just be my kryptonite. Spreading the napkin across my lap, I glanced around the restaurant. Everyone here seemed to be on a date. In fact, we were the only table set for more than two.

“This must be a hot date spot.”

“They have good food. And good taste in wine.” He smiled. “They carry my bottles.”

“Is that what you ordered?”

He shook his head. “I ordered a French one that is one of my favorites. It’s a small vineyard like mine, and I like to support other growers.”

Fifteen minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Luciana—not that I minded too much. Conversation with Matteo had flowed effortlessly since we first met. Plus, it was a toss-up what was more delicious, the wine or the man sitting across from me.

The host came back and leaned his hands on the empty chair. He said something about Luciana and nine fifteen, then disappeared, taking the third chair with him.

“My sister is not coming.” Matteo frowned. “Apparently, she called the restaurant and said to let us know.”

“Oh. Is everything okay?”

“I’m sure everything is fine. This is just Luciana being Luciana.”

“What do you mean?”

“Earlier, I went into the guest room where she was staying to get something from the closet, and I noticed her suitcase was gone already. I don’t think she ever intended to join us this evening.”

“You mean this is a setup?”

“I believe so.”

“Oh.”

“If it upsets you, we can go.”

“No. No.” I shook my head. “It’s fine. I just…” I looked around the restaurant. The couple next to us was holding hands over the table. The pair over Matteo’s shoulder had moved the chairs so they were no longer across from each other and looked mighty cozy—even if I did think sitting like that was weird. When my gaze returned to Matteo, I realized he’d watched me assess the situation.

I nibbled on my lip. “It doesn’t mean we’re on a date just because we’re two people at a restaurant sharing a meal over candlelight, right?”

Matteo’s lip twitched. “It can mean whatever we want it to mean.”

I wasn’t sure how to take that answer, but I also wasn’t about to leave the restaurant, so I shrugged and smiled. “It’s fine.”

The waiter came to take our order, and we decided to order two meals and split them, since I couldn’t make up my mind.

“How are things going at da store?” Matteo asked once the waiter disappeared. “More cars have been visiting, yes?”

I nodded. “One of my grandmother’s friends helped me get the word out that it was open again, and I put everything on sale for 25 percent off. I’ve sold a lot of stuff, but her back room is so packed with inventory that I keep bringing out, it doesn’t look like I’ve made a dent. But I’ve been happy to have something to keep myself busy, so I’m not spending twenty-four hours a day thinking about my newly discovered sister.”

“Have you made a decision on how you’ll handle that?”

I sighed. “No. But I can’t imagine being able to put it out of my head without meeting her. I have questions. And she’s the only one in the world who might be able to fill in the blanks.”

“Sometimes closure isn’t easy, but necessary.”