Elisa beamed at him, and Nico squeezed his fingers around Luke’s and squared his shoulders.
“A bit of color helps to brighten people’s day.” He gave Mrs. Randall his fake smile. “I promise to wear a staid and boring black tux to the wedding.”
“Only because you couldn’t find one in purple, boo.” Elisa’s joke elicited a nervous laugh from Elliott. “But I’m sure you can find a cummerbund that gives you a hint of color.”
The mood didn’t improve much. Elisa and Elliott tried their best to keep things light, but it was a wasted effort. Nico refilled his wineglass every time it got low. When he reached for the bottle again, Luke grabbed his hand. “Let’s go for a walk?”
Nico’s defiant glare was dispelled by Nonna patting his arm. She whispered to her grandson, and Nico’s face lit with a smile. He kissed her cheek and pushed his chair back. “If you’ll excuse us for a bit. We’re going to get some air.”
As soon as they reached the aisle, Luke reached for Nico’s hand. He felt a gentle squeeze as their fingers laced together.
Several people in the club stared at them. Most smiled, but not all. One woman hissed disgust. And another man made a puking gesture.
Luke barely refrained from flipping him off, and he yanked Nico back when he shifted in the man’s direction.
He spotted a tall table with two stools in the bar area and headed to them. Nico shimmied onto the seat across from Luke.
“Oh my, it’s so much fresher in here.” Nico took an exaggerated breath, throwing his arms out in the process. “You can practically smell farmland.”
Luke bit back a smile. “That’s so original. I’ve never heard that before.”
Nico’s face lit up in horror, and he settled his hand on top of Luke’s. “You worked on a farm. I didn’t mean to insult you. I was just, you know . . .” His left hand swooshed around.
“Just being Nico?” He used his free hand to rub Nico’s. The contact scattered goose bumps up his arm. “Good thing I like you.”
Nico swept the compliment aside, frowning. Like maybe he didn’t trust it. “If we’re not here for dairy air, why did you want to leave?”
“You looked like you needed a break.”
“Because I was drinking so much?” A note of defiance shaded Nico’s voice.
“It’s not that you’re drinking, it’s why you’re drinking. Every time Mrs. Randall said something, you reached for your wine.”
“I feel sorry for Elisa. She’s got to deal with them.” Nico grimaced. “Didn’t you wonder why my parents never met them? I mean, they’ve been dating two years and are getting married in a month.”
“This is the first time they’ve met? I thought only your grandparents hadn’t met them.”
“Nope. My parents hadn’t either.” Nico looked toward the main restaurant. “Elliott is a bit impressed by money, but even he recognizes they’re . . . they’re . . .”
“Uncouth?” Luke tilted his head and smiled.
“Right, let’s go with that.”
Luke snickered. “That isn’t what Nonna said, is it?”
“Omertà.” Nico put his fingers by his lips and pretended to turn a lock.
“O mare ta?”
“Omertà. You don’t snitch on your family. It’s Sicilian and generally refers to the mafia. You don’t talk to the cops, and the family takes care of your family if you go to jail.” He looked Luke in the eye, cocking his head to one side as if trying to figure something out. “Thank you for standing up for me. Um, before.”
“I meant every word. You look fantastic.”
Nico dragged his gaze away and bit his lip. He pinched the jacket fabric. “I might have worn it to test something.”
“Test what?”
Nico’s Adam’s apple jutted.
A waitress came by, interrupting them. Luke sighed and ordered two glasses of white wine. Nico arched a brow and mouthed “Two?”
“One for you. Like I said, it wasn’t that you were drinking, it was why you were drinking. Now, what were you trying to test?”
Nico waved it off. “I just wore it to get a reaction.” He paused. “Mrs. Randall certainly pulled through.”
“So what did Nonna say when Mrs. Randall dissed your jacket? I’m sure it wasn’t how handsome you look.”
“Ahh, so the wine is to get me drunk so I’ll violate the code of silence?”
“Will it work?”
Nico laughed. “Basically she said if someone didn’t put that woman in her place, she’d do it herself.” Nico blushed. “And then you swept in.”
“I like this knight-in-shining-armor story you’re telling.”
Nico snorted just as the waitress returned with their drinks.
Luke told her to put it on the Randall’s tab.
Nico snickered softly after she left. “They’ll probably fuss about that.”
“So? They invited us to dinner at their club.” Luke raised his glass. “Besides, did you hear them talk about how much money they have?”
“Who didn’t?”
Luke sipped. “Now get back to that story you were telling. With the handsome knight saving the evening.”