All In (Firsts and Forever 2)

“Is it bad? The stuff Dante’s involved in?” I kind of felt like a jerk for asking that, like I was going behind Dante’s back or something. But I really wanted Dmitri’s take on it.

He thought about that for a long moment, turning the tequila bottle around in his hands. And finally he said, “Jamie would say yes unequivocally. But…well, you know I was raised in the Russian mafia. So, my take on Dante’s line of work is going to be much different than the average person’s. I understand the position Dante’s in. He feels a sense of duty to his family. He does what he believes he has to. Yes, what he’s involved in is illegal. And most people think if you’re a criminal, you automatically must be a rotten person. But Dante’s really not. I honestly believe he’s an honorable man.”

“An honorable criminal.”

“Yeah.”

“Ok.” I said. “I can’t quite grasp that. But I already know there’s so much good in Dante. He’s so sweet, and kind, and fun—”

“Fun?”

“Yeah. He’s really fun.”

“Dante Dombruso,” Dmitri said incredulously. “Fun? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I really like Dante. He’s a good friend. But that has got to be the very last word I would ever apply to him.”

I smiled broadly. “You should have seen him last night. I took him along to break into my parents’ house to get some of my stuff out. It was pretty much a total fiasco, and he was so good-humored throughout all of it. He climbed over fences. He teased me about my Hello Kitty lock picking kit. He made comments about my parents’ zombie lap dog. He was fun.”

“Wow, you obviously bring out a side of him I’ve never seen, and I’ve known Dante for years. Wait, did you just say you have a Hello Kitty lock picking kit?” I nodded and he burst out laughing, and then I was laughing, too. A really unflattering snort burst from him, and we laughed even harder.

“Wow, I’m missing one hell of a good party.” We both looked up at Jamie, who was leaning against the doorframe to the store room with a huge smile on his face. “I was wondering what had happened to both of you,” he said. “My money was on fist fighting in the alley. But instead, I find you bonding over tequila. I’m so happy.”

I got up off the floor and held my hand out to Dmitri, and hauled him to his feet. “Hi Jamie. You’ve always had really good taste in men,” I told him with a big grin, which was totally the tequila talking. “You know, I wanted to hate Dmitri, but I just can’t. In fact, I really like him, especially after that totally unflattering snort he just committed. That was hilarious. FYI, I think I’m a little drunk. And Dmitri definitely is. It’s totally his fault, so don’t fire me.”

“Yup. Definitely missed one hell of a good party,” Jamie said with a smile as he followed us out of the store room.

“Do I even want to ask about the zombie lap dog?” Dmitri asked as we headed back to the dining room. He was still chuckling.

“You really don’t,” I told him.

I managed to sober up over the next hour. No more customers came in for lunch, and Cole continued to wait on Callie and company for me, so I didn’t have to keep feeling like a reject. I busied myself with side work in the back, because even after Dmitri’s and my bonding session, I still didn’t feel comfortable joining their group.

As her friends finally headed for the door, Callie came and found me back by the kitchen. “Here, Charlie,” she said, picking up my hand and turning it palm up. “I want to give this back.” She set a little black jeweler’s box in my hand and folded my fingers over it.

“No. No way,” I told her. “We talked about this. The ring is yours, I want you to have it.” I took her hand just like she had mine and put the box in her palm, then sandwiched it gently between both of mine.

“It’s not right for me to keep it, Charlie. You used all your savings on it. You should get your money back.”

I shook my head. “It’s yours. And, ok, I get why you wouldn’t want to wear it. So why don’t you sell it and put the money toward that Mini Cooper you had your eye on? Or, you know, take a vacation or something. Whatever you want.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Sure you can.”

“Just take the ring, Charlie.”

“Not happening.”

I let go of her hands, and she sighed and tapped the box against her palm, regarding me for a long moment. “You’re so stubborn, Charlie Connolly.”

I smiled at her fondly. “No more than you, Callie McLoughlin.”