32 #4
“I suppose it makes sense. It’s just sitting there and, if it’s only temporary.
” Cosimo smiled tightly unsure if it was the best idea having Dani living under the Casa d’Italia roof.
It brought her into the family, made her closer to them and it was crossing that delicate line of professional and personal.
When Chef had been there it had been fine because he was classed as family anyway, he’d known and worked with the family for over fifteen years.
But Dani had only been working at the restaurant six weeks.
And of course there was the added problem that Jerome obviously had feelings for her.
“Mama hasn’t told her yet, I think she was waiting to see when the work will be completed. She’s very keen to offer it to her.” Jerome carried on rambling nervously, as if he needed to explain the details or maybe justify them, he wasn’t sure which.
“Well, we all know how Mama can be, if she has something in mind,” Cosimo said dryly. Jerome relaxed and grinned. “How did Liz’s shoot go? She got back yesterday didn’t she?”
“It went well. She was very excited about it.”
“Good. I know it’s a tricky business. Not stable, I mean.”
“Mmm… well I managed to get the fashion show back on again. We’re hosting it at Sky, so she’s thrilled at that.”
“Oh that’s good news.”
“Yes, she gets to do a runway.”
“So things are getting better then, I mean between you? I’m not prying, I’m just concerned.”
“We’re working on it. It’s not easy and I’m as much to blame as she is but we’re trying.”
Cosimo’s lips thinned at his brother’s comment.
So, Jerome felt things were getting worked out, when the fact was Liz was working him over.
He sighed to himself. The next two weeks were going to prove very difficult for him as well as Arsenio.
They were all going to have to play happy families until they could finally come clean to Jerome.
“So when’s the show?”
“Umm… the nineteenth of January.”
“Just a month away, then? That’s short notice.”
“Well everyone was booked for around that date already so it’s just for us to get the events people in to see what needs setting up. Gino’s used to having events there. It shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
Cosimo nodded and rose from the chair. “Right well I’ll go downstairs and see Mama. See you down there.”
“Sure.”
Arsenio turned up late so the Ferretti family lunch was delayed by thirty minutes. Gia played with her spoon nervously; she’d spent the last half an hour checking the time.
“You’ve not eaten anything. Are you alright?” Cosimo asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m dining out later so I didn’t want to eat anything now. In fact I need to go. I have a hair appointment.” Gia stood up from her chair and all three men stood.
“You’re going out on a Friday night?” Arsenio couldn’t hide his surprise. “With who?”
“A friend,” Gia answered sharply.
“A friend?” repeated Arsenio.
“Yes, I do have them you know,” Gia answered dryly.
“Does this friend have a name?”
Gia blushed knowing there was no way she could hide her dinner plans.
“Of course. It’s Doctor Holmes,” she answered softly, avoiding eye contact with any of her sons. She felt a little exasperated having to answer to any of them. After all she was a grown woman and single. It really wasn’t any of their business.
“Raymoundo,“ Cosimo confirmed dryly.
“Who?” Arsenio furrowed his brow, looking at Cosimo who was stifling a grin.
“Ray Holmes. He’s a customer of ours,” Jerome muttered quietly.
“Yes, he is and he’s also a very nice man. I didn’t realise I needed your permission to go out on a dinner date,” Gia said haughtily.
“You don’t Mama. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time,” Jerome said softly.
“Well, um… I’m sure I will. Thank you. Did you managed to get the apartment organised? I meant to ask you earlier and forgot.” She turned her full attention to Jerome.
“Yes. It should be ready by the thirtieth.”
“Oh that’s excellent. I can tell Dani then. Goodbye then.” Gia turned to a still stunned Arsenio and kissed his cheeks and then to a very amused Cosimo and kissed him too. “I’ll be back by six and then Raymoundo is picking me up at seven thirty.”
Gia kissed Jerome and then flounced out of the restaurant.
“Who the fuck’s Raymoundo?“ asked Arsenio as he slumped back into his chair. “And what’s going on with the apartment? Jeez, we’ve been sitting here for over an hour and nobody’s said anything!”
“Raymoundo, Ray, is Adam Holmes’s father,“ explained Jerome, he motioned to Rosa for another espresso.
“Adam Holmes the lawyer?”
“Yes. Does anyone else want another coffee?”
Cosimo nodded and Arsenio declined.
“And how long’s this been going on?”
“Oh, they’ve only recently met. They got chatting at the nativity play on Monday.” Cosimo decided that he should shoulder some of the interrogation.
“I see. Well, I think that that’s the first date I’ve ever witnessed Mama going on,” Arsenio huffed. “Not sure I’m altogether comfortable with that.”
Jerome shrugged and Cosimo raised his eyebrows. It was definitely a new dynamic for all of them.
“Well, he’s a nice guy. A gentleman,” Cosimo added.
“And the apartment? You’re letting it out to Dani?” Arsenio furrowed his brow. “Speaking of which, where is she today?” he looked around the restaurant. Jerome was about to explain when Rosa brought over the coffees. He waited until she was out of earshot before answering.
“She didn’t work the lunch shift. She’s back for the evening. Mama suggested we offer her the apartment as she travels all the way from Harewood every day.”
“Temporarily,” chipped in Cosimo, his eyes flitted to Jerome.
“Yes, temporarily, until she buys her own place that is.”
Arsenio widened his eyes. “I see. Isn’t that a bit soon? I mean, I rather like the idea of the delectable Dani sleeping in my old bed. I just wish I was in it with her,” he chortled.
Jerome’s eyes darkened at Arsenio’s lewd joke and he took in a sharp breath making his nostrils flare.
“Seni, honestly give it up will you.” Cosimo shook his head.
“You’ll scare the poor girl away with your constant flirting.
Calm down, will you? It’s a temporary solution to a present problem.
I’m sure Mama has put a lot of thought into the idea.
She’s very willing and Mama seems to have a soft spot for her.
” Cosimo continued in his defence of the idea, allowing the obviously tense Jerome to relax.
He glanced at Jerome and gave him a tight smile.
Arsenio huffed, “Yes, well Mama’s not the only one who has a soft spot for her.”
Jerome stared at his cup wondering what Arsenio meant, surely he wasn’t talking about him was he?
“Oh?” Cosimo asked lifting his cup to take a sip.
“I think Kuch is after her too, and a few more of the staff.”
“Well, she very likeable and charming, it’s bound to happen.” Cosimo waved his hand dismissively in the air.
“Talking of charming, how’s James?” Arsenio shuffled forward in his chair and looked at Cosimo.
“Who’s James?” asked Jerome pleased they were finally off the subject of Dani and her pack of suitors.
Arsenio turned to Jerome with a huge grin on his face, “Cos’s date from last night. I met him at Cos’s house. He was trying to impress him with your recipe of Linguine alle vongole.”
Cosimo rolled his eyes and Jerome fixed his attention on to Cosimo, arching a brow.
“I wasn’t trying to impress him… he’s already impressed,” answered Cosimo tartly, which made Arsenio tilt his head back and laugh and Jerome gaped at his older brother.
“Well that told you, Seni. So who is he and why has Seni met him and I haven’t?” Jerome whined, feigning hurt.
“It wasn’t intentional, a miscalculation on my part.”
“Well, now it’s only fair I meet him too.”
“He’s right Cos. And you just know James is dying to come to La Casa. You should bring him down. Meet all the family.”
“Alright now, that’s quite enough, just pack it in. I’m not sure that would be such a good idea what with Mama and…”
“Oh, no. Don’t make excuses. He said he wanted to come,” teased Arsenio enjoying the fact that he could finally get his own back for all the comments and ribbing he’d endured over his sex life.
“Seni. Just stop it,” Cosimo shot back, feeling obviously uneasy with the whole idea.
“He’s right Cos. You should introduce us. How long have you been seeing him?” asked Jerome genuinely interested. He always felt Cosimo’s homosexuality had kept him distant from the family and maybe this would be the turning point.
“Umm… about nine months,” answered Cosimo quietly.
“Nine months!” Arsenio couldn’t keep his surprise out of his voice. “How have you managed to keep him away from us? Doesn’t he wonder why? Jeez, I feel sorry for the guy.”