Gabriel barely spared Vale a glance in the floor length mirror while he worked on his tie. “Yes and I’m already late.”
“Going into the city?”
“Mmm hmm...”
Vale moved further into his brother’s room. “New girl?”
Gabriel turned from the mirror then. “What the fuck, Vay? Why so curious about my love life?”
“Maybe ‘cause I’m trying to have one like it.”
“Say what?”
Vale looked uneasy and began to lope around the room. “There’re some girls I like but I’m not good at that stuff like you are.”
Gabriel huffed. “I’m not as good as I thought I was, either.”
Vale’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding, right? You get more girls than anyone I know.”
“Exactly,” Gabriel sat on the edge of his bed and pulled his feet into a pair of black loafers. “You’re better off taking your questions to Ari. He’s the white knight of the family.”
Vale wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think these girls are white knight material.”
Gabriel finished with the loafers and went to the chest of drawers where he mulled over a vast cologne selection. “Maybe you should leave them alone, if that’s the case.”
“What?” Vale laughed out the word. “Did you really just say that?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I’m not the best advisor for this, Vay. Do what you want, alright? Just remember when you meet the girl who’s worth it all, everything you think you know will fly right out the window.”
Vale stiffened. “Worth it all? You mean like love?”
“I mean exactly like love.”
Vale whistled. “She must be something else?”
Gabriel smiled. “That’s an understatement, kid.”
Vale nodded slowly, discovery brewing in his dark eyes. “You’re really serious.”
Gabriel selected a bottle of Old Spice from the bureau. “Like I said, everything you think you know flies right out the window.”
~46~
Stone appreciated that the girl across the table seemed as amused as he did. Athena had been bustling around since she had escorted them into one of the small, vacant cottages in the servants’ quarters on the estate.
The one room, split level dwelling had endured a stunning transformation for the evening’s get together. It would make a beautiful home for the next member of the Tesano household staff.
Athena left her son alone with his dinner partner for the 45 minutes it had taken her to return to the house and instruct the staff on how and when to transport the meal to the cottage. During that time, the conversation flowed quite easily. They had even teased one another over their mothers’ attempts to upsell them to each other.
Additionally, they enjoyed some of the golden afternoon outdoors. The cottage had a small back porch overlooking the steep, rolling hills that surrounded the estate. The couple had their choice of bite-sized finger sandwiches or prosciutto with sliced gorgonzola, tomatoes and eggplant while they chatted. The weather was delightful.
Stone was surprised to realize that he found his female company equally delightful. Rosella Campagnone was an undeniable beauty. She was ladylike in her mannerisms, but Stone sensed an underlying spirit that hinted of her capacity for being a strong partner for the man who won her heart. Stone knew she deserved a man far more worthy than he was.
Athena clearly felt differently. She was obviously striving for a love match. Stone didn’t let it annoy him too much. He knew she was coming from a place of concern, love and most importantly understanding. That she had shared her own experience meant more to him than he was sure she realized. He owed it to his mother to at least give time, respect and attention to the lovely girl in his presence.
Athena returned with servers bringing the first course of a fragrant potato gnocchi. By then, Stone had escorted Rosella back to the table where their conversation focused on family and business matters.
“Don’t you want to join your parents at Tesano?”
“My parents rarely get to see each other,” Rosella’s tone was firm yet playful in her response to Stone’s question. “If I worked for Tesano, my family would be like three ships passing in the night instead of two.”
Their laughter was interrupted by the sound of Athena’s applause. “I wish you could see how lovely you are together,” she didn’t wait for a response from the young couple, but turned to quickly wave the servers forward with more wine.
“I shouldn’t drink too much,” Rosella said.
“Feel free to, child. Your room is all prepared at the house,” Athena cooed. “Stone will show you the way after dinner. I’ve already spoken to your mother about you staying, so everything is in place.”
“It’s too much,” Rosella looked happily overwhelmed.
“Agreed,” Stone shrugged when his mother lanced him with a sharp look.
Athena filled the goblets while the servers set out the rest of the course along the sideboard.
“Manja!” Athena urged her guests to eat. “We shall return soon with the entrees. Tonight’s meal is Tagliolini with sauce, followed by pollo marsala.”
Rosella gasped. “You’re very gracious, Mrs. Tesano.”
“It is easy to be gracious to such a beauty. Stone? Isn’t she a beauty?”
