Page 66 of The Taste of Deceit

The boys disappear down the hallway without another word. Carmela stops in front of me and wraps me in a quick hug.

“It’s good to see you.”

“You too.”

She steps back before looking at Sarah.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

The two of them hug.

“I’m glad you could make it,” Carmela says.

“I wouldn’t miss one of your mom’s dinners.” Sarah smiles.

“If you try helping her in the kitchen, she’s going to tell you to sit down,” Carmela says.

“She always does.”

Emilio appears behind her with a stack of plates balanced against one arm. He kisses the top of her head as he walks past, and she swats at his arm without looking up.

“You gonna stand in the foyer all night?” Emilio asks. “Or are you planning to help, Luca?”

“I was wondering how long it’d take before somebody put me to work,” I say.

“Good,” Ma calls from the kitchen. “Set the table.”

Sarah shifts Veronica onto her hip.

“I can help.”

“No,” Ma says immediately.

“No?”

“You’re a guest.”

Sarah smiles.

“Sofia, we’ve had this conversation.”

“And we’ll keep having it.”

Sarah laughs before carefully setting Veronica back on her feet.

“I’ll help anyway.”

Ma points a wooden spoon in her direction.

“Stubborn.”

“So I’ve been told.”

I carry the stack of plates from Emilio into the dining room while Sarah disappears into the kitchen beside Ma anyway. Neither of them says another word about it. Within seconds, they’re moving around each other, reaching for bowls, serving spoons, and baskets of bread.

By the time the table is set, dinner is ready. Emilio carries in a platter of chicken while Ma follows with a bowl of pasta, the rich aroma of tomatoes, garlic, basil, and fresh bread filling the dining room. Sarah comes in behind her with the bread basket before setting it in the middle of the table.