by Katie Ashley
Once we were alone, I motioned for Mia to sit. After she slid across the leather booth seat, I also sat. “AJ, I—” She nibbled her bottom lip nervously.
“Look, for the record, I have nothing against gay people—hell, my brother, Antonio, has been out since he was fifteen. What I do have a problem with is you skewing my image for your benefit.”
“I know, I know. And I’m truly sorry. But you have to know what it’s like to a have a big family all up in your business, right?”
“Yeah, try having the world all up in your business.”
She nodded. “Since Dev and I broke up, everyone, from my father to my uncles to the freakin’ bus boys, have been on me to date. Think of it like Dee’s behavior but on Italian steroids.”
Even though I was still pissed, my lips turned up in amusement at her description. I didn’t expect her to reach across the table for my hand. “I just wanted to try to enjoy tonight without all the other bullshit hassle, okay?”
“Whatever. I still don’t like it,” I replied glumly, before glancing down at the menu.
When she tugged my hand, I met her mischievous gaze. “I could promise to make it up to you later,” she suggested coyly.
My brows rose in surprise. “Just what did you have in mind?”
Tilting her head, she tapped her finger on her chin. “Maybe some special attention…of the oral kind?”
I opened my mouth but a waiter, who couldn’t have been more than twenty, appeared at the table. “Hiya, Mia, sorry to interrupt.”
Pink tinged Mia’s cheeks. “Hi Pauley.”
Glancing between them, I said, “Lemme guess. He’s one of your cousins?”
Pauley bobbed his head as he sat down two glasses of water. “First cousins. My dad and Duke are brothers.” He eyed me suspiciously for a moment. “Hey, I know you—you’re the guy in the band. Uncle Duke calls you Drummer Boy, always tells us to give you the best cut of meat.”
I laughed. “Yep, that’s me.”
With a grin, Pauley held out his hand. “Pauley Martinelli.”
“AJ Resendiz.” I paused before adding, “Mia’s gay friend.”
Mia had just taken a sip of water, and my comment sent her hacking and sputtering. “Sorry,” she replied in a strangled voice as she mopped up the water.
Rubbing her back, Pauley asked, “You okay, cuz?”
“Fine.”
“Good. Thanks.”
When he was sure Mia was okay, he took out his envelope. “Since you both are regulars, I’m guessing I don’t need to go through all the house specials and stuff, huh?”
“No, that won’t be necessary,” I replied.
“So the usual for you Mia—the Sicilian Special along with a glass of Prosecco?” Pauley questioned.
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Mia replied, “Erm, no, I’ll have the Prosecco, but give me the Chicken Caesar Salad instead.”
As Pauley’s brows rose in surprise, I cleared my throat. “Give her what she usually has.” Mia opened her mouth to protest, but I held up a hand to silence her. “Please do not be one of those chicks who thinks she can’t eat around a guy. I like a girl with a hearty appetite.”
Mia glanced from me to Pauley and gave a quick bob of her head. He grinned. “All right then. And you, AJ?”
“Sirloin, medium rare with pasta.”
“Got it. I’ll bring out your wine and bread in just a sec.”
“Thank you.”
Once Pauley was out of earshot, Mia narrowed her eyes at me. “It wouldn’t have killed me to have a salad, you know.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want you to ever change who you are or what you like for me.” At her skeptical expression, I added, “I like you just the way you are—physically and personality wise.”
“Really?”
“Hell yeah. But you wanna know what I like the most about you?”
“The fact I’ll let you bang me on a limo floor?”
I snickered. “That’s a good one but no. What I like the most about you is how real you are—inside and out. The business I’m in—it’s nothing but fake people twenty-four-seven, who will say and do anything to impress you or get you to do what they want.”
Mia tilted her head, taking in my words. “I see now why you like this place so much. If my family is one thing, it’s completely and totally real.”
“Exactly.”
As we fell into silence, Mia stood up. “I think after our limo exertions, I better go freshen up.”
I gave her a wicked grin. “I should do the same.”
I followed her to the restrooms. I finished before she did and returned to the table. She was just coming back when Pauley returned with our drinks and a basket of garlic knots. With my stomach grumbling, I quickly snatched one up and scarfed it down. “So,” I began after I finished chewing.
“So?”
“Tell me about yourself.”
Swirling the wine around in her glass, Mia shrugged. “Not much to tell.”
I cocked my brows suspiciously at her. “Yeah, right. Don’t make me start in with some lame-ass get to know you questions.”
She grinned. “And what would those be?”
Even though I knew it would probably irk a woman like Mia—one who was refined and cared about class and style, I leaned in on the table with my elbows. “What do you like to do when you’re not mending hearts?” I asked, my tone serious like a newscaster.
“Hmm,” she murmured, closing her eyes to think. After a few seconds, she popped them open and replied, “I like piña coladas and walks in the rain.”
It was my turn to tsk at her. “Not getting off that easy, Miss Martinelli.”
“Fine then. What I enjoy doing is probably a huge bore to you, but you asked for it.”
“Yep, hit me with it.”
“I like the usual stuff like books, movies, and TV. I like traveling. And…” A little flush filled her cheeks.
“And what?”
After a hearty gulp of wine, she replied, “I like to knit.”
I couldn’t help laughing. “You’re shitting me.”
She narrowed her black eyes. “No, I’m not. My late grandmother taught me how to knit and crotchet.”
At her still seething anger and embarrassment, I held up my hands. “I’m sorry I found it so shocking that a smoking hot woman like yourself did something so old-school and nerdy as knit.”
She shrugged. “You asked, so I was honest.”
“You’re right, I did.” Grabbing another garlic knot out of the basket, I grinned at her. “You think you would ever make me something?”
“Hmm, like a dick cozy for those cold nights when no woman wants to put up with your relentless cockiness?” she asked, with fake sweetness.
Choking, I fumbled for my wine before taking a long swig. When I recovered, I couldn’t help laughing at her fiery response. “I would be honored if you would make me a dick cozy. I would wear it with pride and think fondly of you.”
“Oh you would, would you?” she asked, her lips curving upward.
“Yes, I would.” With a wink, I added, “But make it extra-large because I want it to fit.”
Mia snickered. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Pauley returned to the table with our dinner. “Here ya go. Watch the plates, cause they’re hot. Lemme know if you need anything else.”
“Thanks, cuz,” Mia replied, with a smile.
“No problemo.”
Once Pauley left us, I eyed Mia before I started cutting my steak and pasta. “At least we know we have something in common. We both like to read.”
“Seriously?”
I slurped a strand of pasta into my mouth. “Yeah, I read all the time when we’re on the road.”
“I’m not sure the articles in Playboy count.”
I snorted. “I have more varied tastes than that, thank you very much.”
Mia chewed thoughtfully on her lasagna. Once she swallowed, she asked, “So tell me what’s your favori
te kind of book?”
“I’m going to sound like a total freak, but I love fantasy—Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, you know, shit like that.”
“Interesting.”
“What? You’re not going to give me shit for that?”
She shook her head. “I think it’s wonderful you read, period, so I’m not going to knock you for liking high fantasy books.”
“But for you, it’s all about romance novels.”
“Yes and no. I like to read non-fiction stuff too.” She finished off a bite of chicken parmesan from her Italian sampler. “I’m kind of a royalty nerd. Love the Tudors.”
“I liked the show.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Of course you did. The historical inaccuracies were off the charts, and it was basically a thinly veiled excuse for porn.”
I grinned. “Sounds good to me.”
“I would figure as much from you,” she replied with a smile.
“Speaking of romance novels, I have a question for you.”
Eyeing me warily, she took a sip of wine. “Okay.”
“Why is it that during the sex scenes the guy always says, ‘Come for me, baby’, and the chick comes?” I snapped my fingers. “Just like that. I mean, on command like she’s a dog or something. What the hell is up with that?”
Mia laughed. “I don’t know why they do that. It’s certainly never happened to me in real life before.”
“Like, I could just look at you right now and say ‘Come for me’, and you’d come.”
Pursing her lips in thought, Mia replied, “Maybe it’s all about the timing of the command—like it has to be in the heat of the moment. You’d have to be pretty amazing to pull it off across the booth from me in a restaurant.”
“So it’s all in the delivery, huh?”
“I would think so.”
“Something like this?” I leaned forward, taking her hands in mine. Using my thumbs, I rubbed circles over the tops of her hand. I licked my lips and stared intently into her eyes. “Mmm, what you do to me, Mia,” I whispered. “How hard you make me. What I’d like to do to your body…buried deep inside you, pounding away while your tight-as-hell walls clench around me.” I brought her hand to my lips and licked along her fingers. Transfixed, she stared back at me. “Come for me, baby.”
A little tremor ran through her body. “Definitely the delivery,” she murmured.
Grinning, I pulled away. “I still call bullshit but whatever. I needed to ask.”
“I think the better question is how do you even know that goes on in romance novels?”
“Research.”
“Really?”
I bobbed my head. “When you hear a bunch of chicks raving about this book or that one because the sex is hot or what the dude says is sexy, you take notice.”
“So you can always be in tune with what women want?”
“Hell yes.” I winked. “I’ve picked up a few things along the way. Being a stud like me takes practice and cultivation.”
Mia stared at me for a moment before throwing her head back and laughing heartily. After she wiped her eyes, an amused look twinkled in them. “Oh my God, AJ. You crack me up. Will I be benefiting from any more of your learned expertise tonight?”
I gave her my signature smirk. “You never know.”
7
Throughout dinner, conversation flowed effortlessly between AJ and me. There was none of the usual first date awkwardness. Just like he craved realness with me, I felt like I could be myself with him, which was something I hadn’t experienced in so long.
“So you’re a real smart cookie, huh?” AJ questioned with a smile, as he sopped up some of his remaining tomato sauce with a garlic knot.
“What makes you say that?”
He smiled knowingly. “Duke told me a lot about you.”
“Oh shit,” I muttered, covering my eyes with my hands.
“Hey, it was all good. Like how you had your Master’s degree in Nursing, you’d already made shift supervisor—that’s impressive at your age.”
“My ripe old age?” I asked with a grin.
“Don’t be a smartass.”
I opened my mouth to protest when I was interrupted by the screech of a microphone. “Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I’m Vince—your band-leader here at Mama Sofia’s. I’m joined by Rico and Joey on the violins and accordion. First off tonight, we want to welcome a very special couple to the floor—Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Dorothea Castorini, who are celebrating their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary with their friends and family.” A round of applause went up over the restaurant as a silver haired couple teetered onto the wooden floor before the band’s riser.
Vince smiled. “So for the happy couple, here’s their favorite song, Anema e Core.”
As the familiar opening chords echoed from the violin, it felt like a knife speared my heart. A searing ache spread throughout my chest, sending tears to sting my eyes.
“Mia?” AJ questioned.
Embarrassment at my out-of-control emotions sent warmth into my cheeks. “I’m sorry.” I swept the napkin from my lap and dabbed my eyes.
“Old couples make you weepy?” AJ asked.
I hiccupped a laugh. “Not exactly.”
“Then what is it?”
With a wave of my hand, I replied, “Nothing I need to bother you with.”
AJ reached over and grabbed one of my hands. “You know, most people think I’m just this goofball who never takes anything seriously and lacks any emotional depth or sensitivity. But that’s not true at all.” He squeezed my hand. “I can feel your pain all the way across the table. If it’s about a guy, I can handle it.”
I stared into his dark eyes that pooled with empathy. Although I couldn’t fathom why, I drew in a deep breath. “Anema e Core was my late grandparent’s song. When I was growing up, they used to dance to it all the time. Even at their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary party, when my grandfather was on oxygen and was walking with a cane, they danced to this song. He always called her his anema e core—my soul and heart.”
“That’s really beautiful,” AJ said softly.
For some reason, I felt compelled to keep talking to AJ. “I never knew my real mother—she was some sports groupie who basically hooked up with my dad because he was Duke Martinelli. She wanted to trap him into marrying her, so she got pregnant. Four months after I was born, Dad blew out his knee. She figured her meal ticket had dried up and she didn’t want to be saddled with a kid, so she left us both. My grandparents moved down here from Jersey to help my dad with me, and they never left. My grandfather died when I was fifteen, and that was gut-wrenching. But my grandmother—she was my mother. And when she died nine months ago…a little bit of me died as well.” I didn’t bother stopping the tear that escaped and trickled down my cheek. “She was my anema e core.”
Without a word, AJ left his seat to come sit by me in the booth. Before I knew it, he had an arm around my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Mia.”
The room began to spin in a dizzying flurry. I’d let my guard down and let him see more than I should have. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought this up. I—” I started to edge away from him, but he gripped me tighter.
“Don’t pull away because you think showing some emotion is going to turn me off. Because that’s the farthest thing from the truth.” He gripped my chin, tipping my head up to meet his gaze. “Remember what I said about wanting people to be real?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“I know for you to be letting your guard down, showing this emotion—it’s about as real as it gets for you, right?” When I bobbed my head, he gave me a reassuring smile. “I’m right here, right now. I’m not going anywhere because I want to be here for you.”
His tender words and the comfort of his embrace caused all reason to leave me. Instead, I let myself snuggle closer into him.
With my face pressed against his chest, I finally murmured, “Thank you…for listening to me and for being here.”
/>
“No problem.” His lips brushed against my temple. “I wish I could say I understood the pain and what grief feels like, but I’ve never really experienced overwhelming loss. My mother’s parents died before I was five, so I really didn’t get the chance to know them. Six months ago, my buddy, Jake’s, mom died, and that hurt like hell. But I can’t imagine losing your whole world like he did…or you did with Mama Sofia.”
I gazed up at him. “You’re a really decent guy, you know that?”
He chuckled. “You’re just now realizing that?”
“I’m serious. I mean, you’re a famous musician with money and good looks. You could be a real asshole.”
“But I’m not.”
I shook my head. “As much as I would like for you to be, you’re not.”
AJ’s brow creased in confusion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Even though I could’ve avoided the question, I wanted to be real for him. “You being decent will just make it harder for me in the end.”
He stared intently into my eyes, searching them for the answers I wasn’t ready to give him. It would take a pretty strong blast of dynamite to get past the walls I’d erected around me to protect from the pain previous men had inflicted.
When AJ abruptly pulled away, I felt bereft of his comforting embrace. “What—”
He held out his hand. “Dance with me.”
I started to protest, but at the insistent gleam burning in his eyes, I thought better of it. Instead, I rose up and put my hand in his. He then led me across the restaurant to the dance floor. We sidestepped through the other couples, edging over to the bandstand.
As the music grew louder around us, I teased, “Do you wanna be deaf by the end of the night?”
He glanced over his shoulder and winked at me. As the last chords of the song wound down, applause and whistles rang throughout the room. The elderly couple smiled and waved before starting to make their way off the dance floor. The guys shuffled their music, preparing to play something else when AJ called, “Play it again, boys.” At Vince’s surprised look, AJ added, “Please.”
Vince must’ve met AJ before because a wide grin stretched on his face. “You heard him boys. Anema e Core it is,”
