Chapter 4
Matteo
Four Years Earlier
“Grazie, ragazzi. ( Thanks, boys .) I can’t tell you how much this has meant to me. You boys are like the sons I never had.”
“You do so much for us, Luigi. Family dinners, birthdays, milestones… It’s about time we celebrated you. What better occasion than your birthday to honor a man we’d be proud to call padre,” Luca pronounces, the love and respect he feels for this man shining in his eyes for all to see.
Despite the horrors we’ve encountered, my little brother, Luca, hasn’t locked away his emotions like my cousin, Giovanni, and I. He may try to fight it, but it’s clear he wears his feelings on his shirt sleeve. I love that about him. Sadly, I think that part of my heart may be dead to me now.
Giovanni lifts his glass. “Auguri, Luigi! Cento di questi giorni.” ( Best wishes, Luigi! A hundred more days like this one .)
“Here, here,” I add before lifting my water goblet, stopping halfway to my lips when I catch a glimpse of the stunning blonde sitting at the bar.
She’s alone, perched on a barstool, holding a glass of white wine with her head tipped back in laughter at something the bartender has said. Wearing a curve-hugging light blue dress, her long golden tresses spilling over her shoulders, she’s easily one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever laid eyes on. And that’s saying something.
Between the bevvy of attractive ladies I recall hovering around my father’s business when I was young, and the gorgeous women at my cousin Giovanni’s sex club, I’ve met many an enticing female. Yet they all seemed so two dimensional. Vacuous, uninteresting types merely there to latch onto someone who could provide them the life they dreamed of.
Dating was of little appeal to me. I had no interest in adding one more person to my life I was responsible for. One whose only contribution was keeping my dick wet each night. I could get that anywhere.
A giggle tickles my ear, causing the corner of my mouth to curl. Who is this creature that could cause my stony facade to crack? The pull toward her is like a gravitational force. I couldn’t stay away any more than I could float a foot above ground. Standing from my seat, I make my apologies to my tablemates, “Excuse me, gentlemen.”
My friend, Luigi, my cousin, and my little brother all watch in stunned silence as I make my way over to the bar.
To her.
“Hi.”
The blonde pivots on her barstool in my direction and all the air leaves my lungs. This woman is stunning. With blue eyes the color of the sky, framed by long dark lashes that blink against her pale skin, the sight of her causes my heart to clang inside my chest like an anvil. “Hi yourself.”
“May I join you?”
She nods toward the empty seat as a blush stains her cheeks.
“Can I get you a drink?” the bartender asks, placing a small white napkin in front of me as he nods toward the blonde’s glass of wine. This question is ridiculous. I’ve been coming here for years, and he knows I abstain from alcohol.
“No, no. I don’t drink. Still water please.”
She gives me a curious look and, for some reason, I feel compelled to offer, “Alcoholism runs in my family.”
“Ah. Smart of you not to open the door to temptation.”
“Oh, I’ve opened the door. Just not to alcohol.” I wink. “You’re radiant.”
She closes her eyes at the compliment and although her cheeks are still pink, I worry I’m being predictable.
“Honestly. It’s not the way you look.”
She swiftly arches a brow, as if she’s offended.
“No, no. I mean, obviously you’re stunning. But, it’s more than that. You exude joy and confidence like no one I’ve ever seen. It rolls off of you in waves. It’s hard to notice anything else.”
Biting down on her lower lip, she gives me an appreciative grin. “Why thank you. That’s probably one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me.” She places her wineglass down on the bar top and extends her hand. “I’m Sydney.”
Unable to stop myself, I lift her knuckles to my mouth and place a chaste kiss on her skin. Geez. She’s going to think I’m some two-bit ladies’ man. “Matteo.” For the life of me, I’m struggling to let go of her hand. It’s so soft and dainty against my rough, calloused skin.
Physically, we couldn’t be more different. She’s blonde, blue-eyed, with pale unblemished skin and curves for days. Where I’m lean but muscular, inky hair, dark scruff, green eyes, and covered in black ink.
“What brings you here, Sydney?”
“Do I need a reason?”
“No, not at all.” A smirk lifts one corner of my mouth. “Just making sure you weren’t meeting someone. Don’t think my heart could take it.”
“You’re quite the charmer, Matteo.”
I lean in closer, whispering in her ear, “Oh, then you’re the snake, my dear. I fear I’m the one at your mercy.”
Again, I notice a crimson color to her face in reaction to my words. Or was it my nearness? Oh, if only.
Taking a sip of my water, I try to steady my pulse as I consider what it is about the woman that has me so enthralled. Sure, she’s breathtaking. But there’s an undeniable current between us I’ve never felt before. Just looking at her causes me to grin like a smitten teen. Hell, I didn’t feel like this when I was a teenager.
After sharing a few more bashful glances back and forth over the rims of our glasses, she asks, “So were you celebrating something?” She nods toward Luigi, Luca, and Giovanni. I’m a bit startled by the question, as I didn’t think she’d noticed us. Her back had been to us from the moment I discovered her seated at the bar.
“Yes. Luigi’s birthday.”
She abruptly spins to face me. “Oh, are you family?”
I beam at her. “Not biologically. But I think of him as a father figure. He’s one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
“I’ve been coming here for dinner for years. I don’t think I can recall being here where he doesn’t have a genuine smile for everyone who walks through his doors.”
“Yes. You’re right.” I look over at my friend, laughing with my cousin and brother, and acknowledge a pride I’ve never felt for my own father. “So, I take it you live here?”
“In Hanover? Yes. You?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t help but detect an accent. Have you lived here all of your life?”
I chuckle. “No. I’m from Sicily. I’ve been in the states for a few years. Moved here with my brother and sister.”
“Oh. For work?”
Hmmm. How to answer? “We were looking for a fresh start. Thought America was a good place for it.”
She takes a sip of her wine. “I’d love to visit Italy one day. I don’t get to travel as much as I’d like. But it’s been on my bucket list for a long time.”
“I don’t understand. What is this bucket list?”
Sydney giggles, and it sends a jolt of electricity through me, like a live wire. It travels straight to my dick. I make a mental note to keep that in check. “Well, it probably sounds morbid, but it’s a list of things I’d like to accomplish before I die. Places I’d like to go, things I’d like to do.”
“Oh. I see. I’d love to hear what else is on your list.”
“Would you, now?”
This woman is fun. Is she like this with everyone? So easy going and down to earth? “What do you do for a living?”
Her smile drops ever so slightly. If I hadn’t been watching her so closely, I might’ve missed it. “I’m a doctor. How about you?”
A doctor. This woman just keeps surprising me. Stunning, smart, and sweet. My eyes land on her left hand and note there’s no ring. Not sure why I didn’t look earlier. But from the moment I was drawn to her, I haven’t been able to think clearly. Glancing at her, I find she’s waiting for a response and realize I missed the question.
“What do you do?”
Hell. I hate lying to her. But whether I like it or not, it’s merely one of many for anyone new in my life. “I own a body shop.”
“Oh, that’s cool.”
“Not as cool as being a doctor.”
“Sure it is. You just operate on cars instead of people.”
Wait. Does she operate on people?
“Matteo, who’s your friend?” Luigi interrupts.
“This is Sydney. She says she’s been coming here for years.”
“Ah. Thank you, beautiful lady.”
“No, thank you. Your food is the best in town. Oh, and happy birthday.”
Luigi stands a little taller. “Grazie.” ( Thank you .) He turns to me. “I have to get home to Maria, Luna, and Mimmo, Matteo. Apparently, they’ve got something special planned. Don’t be such a stranger. We see your brother all the time, but you need to visit more often.”
He’s right. “Yes. I’ll get better about it. I promise. Please give everyone a hug from me.”
Luigi gives a short wave, walking out of the restaurant just as I notice Sydney sliding off of her barstool.
“Sorry it took so long. Here’s your order.” The bartender slides her packaged items and the check in Sydney’s direction.
“Oh, it took no time at all. At least it didn’t seem to.” She glances in my direction and blinks coyly.
Suddenly, the thought of this woman leaving makes me edgy. Standing from my seat, I wait for her to settle the bill and step closer. “I’d love to see you again. If you’re not otherwise… um…”
“I’m not, otherwise.” She giggles. That sound. It’s doing a real number on me.
“Sorry. I just can’t imagine why you’re single.” The words are out before I can stop them. I really have turned into a teenage simp.
Sydney steps forward, placing her hand on my chest. “Maybe I’ve been waiting for you.” With that, she spins on her stilettos and walks out the door.
I blink repeatedly at her retreating form, starstruck. It takes me a moment to realize I forgot to get her number. Dammit .
“Man. How did you manage to see her first?” Luca asks.
“She’s gorgeous,” Giovanni adds.
“Yes. And she’s as brilliant as she is beautiful. But me, not so much.” I shake my head.
“What do you mean, cugino?”
“She left before I could get her number.”
Luca smacks me against the back of my head, and I inwardly wonder how often I’ll have to have dinner here before I bump into her again when the bartender interrupts my thoughts.
“Matteo, this might be your lucky day.” Coming closer, I realize he’s holding out a white cocktail napkin.
Add to Bucket List:
Dinner with Matteo.
Sydney
804-555-1212