Chapter 23 #2
“How much did you catch of the conversation?” he asks.
“Little. His name is…Giacomo?”
“Yes. He’s owned this place for almost twenty years, inherited it from his father.”
“Family business then?”
He nods as Giacomo returns, placing down glasses for water and a tall bottle. He says something about his daughter and bread, and then leaves again.
“Okay, mister,” I say, leaning my elbows on the table. “Did you reserve this entire restaurant?” A smirk plays on his lips as he pours water into our glasses. I gasp, “Leo.”
“I wanted privacy for us,” he answers. “And I paid him enough to cover for any foot traffic he would’ve had tonight.” He puts the pitcher down. “And the next two weeks.”
A giggle comes out as Giacomo’s daughter appears, placing bread on the table. They converse a little, and I learn her name is Sofia. He orders wine for the table, and then the starter. I continue grinning as Leo lounges in his seat when she leaves.
“How did you learn about this place?”
“The first year I opened the hotel here. He was struggling to keep his business open, and I offered to help finance the restaurant. I’ve been a silent investor for years now.
” I tilt my head at his collected, business-like words, but hear the warmth in them.
“I’ve done so with a few places here, small businesses, and family owned that needed help from time to time. ”
Sofia comes back with wine, and she’s joined by an older woman, who greets Leo warmly. He stands up, kissing her cheeks as she continues to talk. Leo then gestures towards me, and I stand for her to kiss my cheeks next in way of greeting.
Soon, Leo orders for the both of us for the first and main courses. Barely being able to catch words here and there, I vow in that moment to spend more time learning the language.
They leave after the white wine has been poured into our glasses. I pick mine up, clinking it softly with Leo’s. It’s sweeter than I would’ve thought, light and airy.
“At least I don’t have to worry about you ordering salads for me anymore,” I muse.
He chuckles. “I think you’d appreciate what Giacomo and Isabella can cook. Their ingredients, like most places here, are fresh as well.”
“I’ve noticed. Surprisingly, I haven’t really missed takeout since we’ve arrived. Good job, mister.” We chuckle as the street becomes busier. People eat and drink across the way, some even dancing outside the bars, too.
“When did you first visit Italy?” I ask.
“I was two, I believe. Although five is when I first remember.” He picks up his wine, sipping it. “Around this time of year.”
“Really?” He nods, setting his wine down. “Family didn’t want to be here for tourist season?”
“That’s one reason,” he answers, and I swirl my wine a little. “The other is because my mother brought me here every year for my birthday.”
The rim of my glass freezes against my lips. Leo’s face is calm and passive. Slowly, I put the glass down.
“Leonardo Durante Luciano.” He smiles. “Would this be your birthday dinner?”
“Perhaps.”
Well, that explains the secrecy and wanting a fancy date night.
“Why didn’t you tell me your birthday was coming up?”
“Haven’t celebrated for well over a decade,” he explains, nonchalantly. “Especially after my mother died.” My heart squeezes, remembering how young he was when she passed. It likely meant the rest of the childhood he didn’t celebrate. “And you didn’t tell me yours until two days before.”
“Oh, no mister, if you can pull the ‘haven’t celebrated’ card, so can I.” I point at him as he smirks. “I just have a best friend who won’t ever allow me to forget it. And we spent the night in together, remember?”
He holds his hands up in surrender, and I laugh a little.
“I also wasn’t sure if we’d be in Rome for it,” he says. “Lastly, if I’d told you, then you’d have worried about what to get me or what to do for it.”
“So, you pulled a Leo and planned it yourself.” He doesn’t deny it, picking up his wine. I sigh, not surprised he’d do something like this. “Although now I feel slightly bad because I wish I did have something to give you.”
“You already have.”
“Don’t say my love or whatever,” I counter, pointing at him.
He puts his glass down, leaning over the table as he gestures for my hand. I lean closer, giving him my hand as he strokes my wrist.
“Yesterday was gift enough.”
My eyes widen as he kisses my wrist, then pulls away and settles back into his seat. I clear my throat, not expecting that as an answer.
“We’re an odd couple for many reasons,” I say. “The fact we didn’t know each other’s birthdays, well, that takes the cake.” Pun intended.
“What does it matter? Why choose one day to celebrate each other’s life, when it can be any and every day of the year. Not just one.”
I tilt my head at him. A smile grows as I shake my head, knowing how Leo of an answer that was. Inhaling deep, I look at my husband as he watches me calmly like this was any other dinner for us.
My voice is soft. “It’s today, isn’t?”
“Yes.”
I lay my left hand on the table, opening it for him to take. His hand wraps around mine as I clutch his. Hazel eyes are illuminated by the low light of the lanterns.
“Happy birthday, my dear husband.”
His smile is gentle, warming my heart.
The rest of dinner is peaceful as the music from the bars play in the background.
Chatter fills the air from the crowd across the path and Giacomo’s family.
Halfway through the main course, Leo moves his chair next to mine.
We lean in close to each other, talking and laughing.
My mind calms, focused on just the two of us.
At the end of dinner, Leo walks me out to the front street where couples dance.
A slow rumba brings us in close, and I lay my head against his chest. His heart beats steadily as he clasps my hand against his chest, while the other rests on the small of my back.
I’m so wrapped up in affection and love, I don’t quite notice the tugging of anxiety at the back of my neck.
I ignore the crawling sensation of being watched, brushing it off that it’s from wearing the dress.
I sigh against him as his hand roams over my back.
It’s just us.
Leo
She’s warm. Her body practically melding into his as they dance slowly. He hadn’t truly planned to tell her it was his birthday, hoping to relieve some pain this day usually brought. Except, he couldn’t not tell her.
They turn slowly as Leo gazes down at Autumn.
Warning flickers over his shoulders, weighing on him as he does his best not to tense.
Nothing to give her any indication that something could be wrong.
His gaze snaps up, catching sight of Drew at his post for the night.
He then sees Owen within the other bar, drinking leisurely amongst others.
Rudolph is with the car. No signs of anything wrong.
They continue dancing, slowly moving as the music changes to another rumba.
Carefully, he spins her, bringing her back into his arms. She giggles against his chest, the sound alighting joy in him.
They turn again, and something catches his eye at the far end of the street. Someone who shouldn’t be there.
Leo waits until the end of the song to suggest they go back to the hotel.
On cue almost, she yawns making it easier to lead her back through the restaurant.
They say goodnight to Giacomo and his family, approaching the car where Rudolph waits.
Leo gets her into the car, but then leans in close to Rudolph and whispers in German, “Have the perimeter double checked by the other two. Someone was watching us.”
Rudolph frowns and nods.
Leo looks back over his shoulder to the quiet street before getting in the car, and slams the door shut.