Chapter Forty-Four
As they ate breakfast together the next morning, things had clearly shifted in their relationship. They were closer emotionally, but they also felt more comfortable showing affection to each other. Leighann had greeted him that morning with a hug, and he struggled to release her. He hadn’t felt that way with any woman... save Hannah.
He had stayed awake for hours the previous night thinking about his future, about Leighann, about life. After the hug this morning, he was more certain than ever that he needed this woman in his life. He slipped away to his office to make some phone calls before they hit the slopes, and Leighann did the same. She couldn’t speak with Gina or her brother, so she called her grandmother. She was busy, but they made arrangements for a visit the following day since her grandmother’s road had been cleared that very morning.
They hit the slopes for a few hours, then called it early so they had plenty of time to spend together that evening. Excitement thrummed through Leigh at the prospect of how things would go on the date she had planned.
They cleaned up and were dressed in comfortable casual attire. She was in a stylish jean and sweater ensemble with knee-high riding boots and a luxuriously soft scarf. Enrique appeared at the base of the stairs in a soft knit navy-blue sweater, black jeans, and dress shoes.
“Won’t your feet get cold?” she asked, concerned by his choice of footwear.
“No more than yours, I imagine,” he answered, eyeing her new boots.
“Mine came with thick, warm boot socks and a little extra toe room,” she countered, displaying her foot in the new boots he had brought from Denver for her.
“I have warm socks on too.” Enrique pulled up his pant leg to display his wool socks.
“Fair enough. Let’s go. They are anxiously waiting for us, no doubt.” Leigh grabbed her coat from the back of the couch and walked out the front door, Enrique trailing behind her.
“Who is waiting for us?” He momentarily worried about a ‘meet the parents’ setup but knew that wasn’t possible, so he had no idea who she was referring to.
“You’ll see. Patience is a virtue, remember.” Her teasing grin made him smile even as he gritted his teeth at having the tables turned and his own words fed back to him.
“Have you seen their health inspection rating?” Enrique asked when she indicated they were stopping at a little mom-and-pop Italian restaurant downtown.
Leighann grinned, his look comical as he observed the restaurant. There was nothing wrong with it, but considering he was accustomed to five-star restaurants, this place no doubt looked less than impressive.
She was bringing him down to her level today and hoping he enjoyed it. He hadn’t always been a rich snob. Maybe remembering how the other 99% of the population lived and still managed to enjoy life would help close the chasm between them.
“Very good rating, actually. It doesn’t have to glimmer and gleam with polished crystal and gold finishes to be a nice place,” she answered, squeezing his hand and tugging him forward. “Come on. Let’s go. I bet my last dollar that you’ll love it.”
He sighed, “If I get food poisoning, I’m blaming you.”
Swatting his arm at the insult, she scolded, “You won’t get poisoned! And even if you did, I would too since we’ll be eating the same food. So, you won’t suffer alone.”
He blinked. “What?”
“I’m kidding. I’ve known these people since I was a child, Enrique. The food here is not only safe but tastes like manna from heaven,” she laughed. Then she tugged him forward again. “Now, come in already.”
Enrique held the door open as they walked in, immediately greeted by the aroma of freshly baked garlic bread and simmering tomato sauce so pleasant that it made Enrique’s mouth instantly water. The interior was small and quaint but nicely done. The walls were a warm Tuscan yellow, with dark red leather booths lining the walls. Fresh white linen draped the tables, and dark brown exposed beams ran the length of the ceiling. Rounded stone, trim-cased Italian landscape frescos depicting Tuscany, Venice, Florance, and Rome gave the impression of looking out open windows onto a scene thousands of miles away. Taper candles pressed into the necks of wine bottles set a cozy and romantic atmosphere.
There were few customers scattered around the restaurant, so the chatter and occasional clanging of cutlery was light as lovely Italian music played softly in the background.
Moments after settling into a corner booth, a woman approached. “Leighann, dear, it’s so nice to see you. I’ve been excited about your visit since you called yesterday.” She looked like she was in her mid-sixties, with gray beginning to dominate her dark hair that was collected into a low bun at the nape of her neck. She had an apron tied around her waist but made no move to pull a ticket book from it.
“Giulia,” Leighann greeted warmly, smiling widely as she stood and affectionately embraced the woman. Enrique leaned back against his seat, his arms resting casually on the table as he watched their exchange.
“Where’s Mateo?” Leighann asked. Giulia smiled and jutted a thumb over her shoulder, pointing behind her.
“He’ll be out soon. You know how he is with those boys.” Then, her eyes shifted to Enrique.
“And who is this handsome young man over here?”
Leighann blushed as she cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? Giulia, this is Enrique. He has been staying at Avalanche Crest for a few days. I’m his ski instructor. Enrique, this is Giulia, she runs this restaurant with her husband, Mateo.”
Giulia’s gaze moved between them before smiling knowingly at Enrique. “Well, it’s certainly lovely to meet you, Enrique.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am.”
“Well, what would you both like to eat?”
“The special,” Leighann smiled, and Giulia chuckled before nodding.
“Of course, coming right up.”
Enrique turned to Leighann as Giulia bustled towards the kitchen, and he raised a brow. “What’s the special?”
“It’s Giulia’s recipe,” she responded as a waiter came to serve them drinks and some water. “Just sit back and relax, Enrique. Trust me.”
“Leighann,” Mateo’s voice rang out a little too loudly in the otherwise quiet dining room. “You wound me. I haven’t seen you in forever. How are you? How’s Curtis doing? He hasn’t been around in a while either.” Standing once more, the older man enfolded Leighann in a loving embrace.
“I know. It’s wonderful to see you.” She kissed him softly on the cheek before returning to her seat across from Enrique. “I am doing wonderful. My research is taking off. Curtis is doing well, too,” Leighann smiled. “Out of town for business as usual.”
“And this is Enrique, is that right?” Mateo asked, already extending a hand towards him. Enrique looked at him in surprise as he shook the barrel-chested man’s massive paw. The shake was firm—very firm.
“Giulia already told me.” Mateo smiled as his wife placed their meals in front of them. “Our Leigh-Leigh’s fiancé.”
Leighann’s jaw dropped, and her eyes darted from Mateo to Giulia, who stood next to her husband with a knowing grin on her face. Leighann stammered. “I – You’re mistaken. I didn’t –”
“It’s okay. She also told me you’d try to deny it.” Then he turned to Enrique, who still didn’t know what to say in response. He sat straighter in his seat, feeling at a slight disadvantage. However, the gears in his head had begun to turn, and his mind was quickly whirling with the possibilities of Mateo’s words. He hadn’t quite made it to the point of a proposal, but the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea.
“Oh, Mateo, don’t they look so good together? Our Leighann can be a little shy sometimes,” Giulia added. “She’s always been that way growing up. But we’re like her adopted parents, and we’ll be here for you both. ”
“You know, our Leigh has never brought a man here.” Mateo smiled broadly at the importance of this meeting, and Enrique’s chest swelled with pride. Looking over at Leighann, whose cheeks were stained a beautiful pink, he realized that though she may not have intended the connection to be made, it had been nonetheless, and they were officially a couple—a serious, possibly unofficially engaged couple. He was warming to this idea quickly.
Enrique flashed his charming little smile. “Is that so?”
She eyed him, even though her eyes were wide and her cheeks were on fire. She ignored Enrique’s question and turned back to the couple.
“You’re reading this all wrong,” Leighann protested, throwing her hands up for emphasis. “We’re not engaged. Tell them, Enrique.”
He tried not to laugh at her discomfort as he picked up his spoon and said nonchalantly, “She’s right. We’re not. Not yet, anyway.”
Leighann made a choking sound from her side of the table and stared at him wide-eyed.
“Here is some advice from an old married couple. The most important things in marriage are communication, compromise, respect, and understanding,” Mateo said, turning to Leighann. “How do you think Giulia and I have been together for so many years? Love is important, but without these others in place, you’ll have problems. ”
“He’s right, Leighann,” Giulia added. “You both have the look of newfound love, sweetie. But as much as love brings you together, if you want a long-lasting, happy relationship, you’ll have to make sure you set up a good foundation. And remember, right now, love is a feeling, but for it to last, it must become a decision—a commitment. When the feeling of love changes or fades, the decision to love must remain.”
Leighann stuttered, “We’re just friends , Giulia.”
But even as she uttered those words, Leighann and Enrique knew they were anything but.
“Sure, sweetie, I hear what you’re saying, but see what’s in your heart, too,” Giulia drawled, winking at her before dragging Mateo away. “Come on, mi amore. Let’s leave the lovebirds to enjoy their dinner. We’ll be back when you need us.”