Rebecca Winters - The Vineyards Of Calanetti

“Marianna!” He nudged Nico out of the way and hugged her, too, lifting her up to swing her around. Rafe hadn’t even seen her to say hello in months. Having her here put another piece of normalcy back in his life.

She giggled when he plopped her to the floor again.

“Daniella,” he said, one hand around Marianna’s waist, the other clasped on Nico’s shoulder. “These are my friends. Nico and his baby sister, Marianna. They get the best table in the house.”

She smiled her understanding, grabbed two menus and led Nico and Marianna into the dining room. “This way.”

Rafe stopped her. “Not there . I want them by my kitchen.” He took the menus from her hands. “I want to spoil them.”

Nico chuckled and caught Dani’s gaze. “What he really means is use us for guinea pigs.”

She laughed, her gaze meeting Nico’s and her cheeks turning pink.

An unexpected thought exploded in Rafe’s brain. He’d told Dani he wanted nothing romantic between them. Her fiancé was a dud. Nico was a good-looking man. And Dani was a beautiful, personable woman. If she stayed, at some point, Dani and Nico could become lovers.

His gut tightened.

Still, shouldn’t he be glad if Nico was interested in Daniella and that interest caused her to stay?

Of course he should. What he wanted from Daniella was a face for his business. If Nico could help get her to stay, then Rafe should help him woo her.

“You are lucky the night is nearly over,” Rafe said as he pulled out Marianna’s chair. He handed the menus to them both.

Smiling warmly at Nico, Dani said, “Can I take your drink orders?”

Nico put his elbow on the table and his chin on his fist as he contemplated Daniella, as if she were a puzzle he was trying to figure out.

Thinking of Dani and Nico together was one thing. Seeing his friend’s eyes on her was quite another. The horrible black syrup of jealously poured through Rafe’s veins like hot wax.

Unable to endure it, he waved Daniella away. “Go. I will take his drink order. You’re needed at the door. The night isn’t quite over yet.”

She gave Nico one last smile and headed to her post.

Happier with her away from Nico, Rafe listened to his friend’s wine choice.

Marianna said, “Just water for me.”

Rafe gaped at her. “You need wine.”

She shook her head. “I need water.”

Rafe’s jaw dropped. “You cannot be an Italian and refuse wine with dinner.”

Nico waved a hand. “It’s not a big deal. She’s been weird ever since she came home. Just bring her the water.”

Rafe called Allegra over so she could get Nico’s wine from the bar and Marianna’s water. All the while, Dani walked customers from the podium, past Nico, who would watch her amble by.

Rafe sucked in a breath, not understanding the feelings rumbling through him. He wanted Daniella to stay. Nico might give her a reason to do just that. He could not romance her himself. Yet he couldn’t bear to have his friend even look at her?

“Give me ten minutes and I will make you the happiest man alive.”

Nico laughed, his eyes on Daniella. “I sincerely doubt you can do that with food.”

Jealousy sputtered through Rafe again. “Get your mind out of the gutter and off my hostess!”

Nico’s eyes narrowed. “Why? Are you staking a claim?”

Rafe’s chest froze and he couldn’t speak. But Marianna shook her head. “Men. Does it always have to be about sex with you?”

Nico laughed.

Rafe spun away, rushing into the kitchen, angry with Nico but angrier with himself. He should celebrate Nico potentially being a reason for Daniella to stay. Instead, he was filled with blistering-hot rage. Toward his friend. It was insane.

To make up for his unwanted anger, he put together the best meals he’d ever created. Unfortunately, it didn’t take ten minutes. It took forty.

Allegra took out antipasto and soups while he worked. When he returned to the dining room, there were no more people at the door. All customers had been seated. Tables that emptied weren’t being refilled. Anticipating going home, the busboys cheerfully cleared away dishes.

And Dani sat with Nico and Marianna.

Forcing himself to be friendly—happy—Rafe set the plates of food in front of Nico and his sister.

Marianna said, “Oh, that smells heavenly.”

Nico nodded. “Impressive, Rafe.”

Dani inhaled deeply. “Mmm...”

Nico grinned, scooped up some pasta and offered it to Dani. “Would you like a bite?”

“Oh, I’d love a bite!”

Nico smiled.

Unwanted jealousy and an odd proprietary instinct rushed through Rafe. Before Daniella could take the bite Nico offered, Rafe grabbed the back of her chair and yanked her away from the table.

“I want her to eat that meal later tonight.”

Nico laughed. “Really? What is this? A special occasion?”

Rafe knew Nico meant that as a joke, but he suddenly felt like an idiot as if Nico had caught his jealousy. He straightened to his full six-foot height. “Not a special occasion, part of the process. She’s eaten bits of food to get our flavor, but tonight I had planned on treating her to an entire dinner.”

Dani turned around on her chair to catch his gaze. “Really?”

Oh, Lord.

Something soft and earthy trembled through him, replacing his jealousy and feelings of being caught, as if they had never existed. Trapped in the gaze of her blue eyes, he quietly said, “Yes.”

She rose, putting them face-to-face. “A private dinner?”

He shrugged, but everything male inside him shimmered. After days of only working together, being on his best behavior, he couldn’t deny how badly he wanted time alone with her. He didn’t want Nico to woo her. He wanted to woo her.

“Yes. A private dinner.”

She smiled.

His breath froze. She was happy to be alone with him? He’d warned her...yet she still wanted to be alone with him? And what of her fiancé?

He pivoted and returned to the kitchen, not sure what he was doing. But as he worked, he slowed his pace. He rejected ravioli, spaghetti Bolognese. Both were too simple. Too common—

If he was going to feed her an entire meal, it would be his best. Pride the likes of which he’d never felt before rose in him. Only the best for his Dani.

He stopped, his finger poised above a pot, ready to sprinkle a pinch of salt.

His Dani?

He squeezed his eyes shut. Dear God. This wasn’t just an attraction. He was head over heels crazy for her.

* * *

Dani alternated between standing nervously by the podium and sitting with Nico and Marianna.

The dining room had all but emptied, yet she couldn’t seem to settle. Her fluttery stomach had her wondering if she’d even be able to eat what Rafe prepared for her.

A private dinner.

She had no idea what it meant, but when he emerged from the kitchen and walked to Nico’s table, her breath stalled. He’d removed his smock and stood before the Amatuccis in dark trousers and a white T-shirt that outlined his taut stomach. Tight cotton sleeves rimmed impressive biceps and Dani saw a tattoo she’d never noticed before.

“I trust you enjoyed your dinners.”

Nico blotted his mouth with a napkin, then said, “Rafe, you truly are gifted.”

Rafe bowed graciously.

“And, Marianna.” When Rafe turned to see her half-eaten meal, he frowned. “Why you not eat?”

She smiled slightly. “You give everyone enough to feed an army. Half was plenty.”

“You’ll take the rest home?”

She nodded and Rafe motioned for Allegra to get her plate and put her food in a take-out container.

Rafe chatted with Nico, calmly, much more calmly than Dani felt, but the second Allegra returned with the take-out container, Marianna jumped from her seat.