Family Ties (Morelli Family 4)

She nods. “No sweat. We don’t hold grudges ‘round these parts, apparently.”

“Vengeance is almost always a waste of energy,” Mateo states, off-handedly.

Mia nods her agreement, then cuts a sideways glance at Vince. She’s not doing a terrible job of playing the dutiful girlfriend so far, but she’s not going to win any Academy Awards either. I’m sure Mateo saw through it night one. Someone should tell her she doesn’t have to try so hard; it’s frankly enough that she shows up.

At least Vince’s face betrays nothing. He’s still vaguely sullen, but that just seems to be his overall demeanor. He’s not doing anything to give himself away as someone who breathes vengeance, and he presumably doesn’t think Mateo knows the truth, so that’s good. The whole point of giving up my dad and convincing everyone on my side we wanted peace with Mateo again was so I didn’t have to kill off anyone else she loves. If I did all that shit for nothing, I’ll be pissed.

I add my own nod of agreement, even if I don’t totally agree. In this instance, I sure do. “I’m partial to peace.”

Mia smiles at me across the table. “And warm chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream.”

We ordered dessert at the diner. They had these giant chocolate chip cookies served with ice cream on top. She and Vince got one to share, but defying couple behavior, apparently, Francesca and I each got our own.

“Hey, you don’t understand how much she likes dessert,” I offer, cocking my head toward Francesca.

Pointing her finger between me and Mia, Meg asks, “Are you old friends or something?”

I shake my head, stabbing a grape tomato with my fork. “We had dinner together last night.”

Meg cocks her head, and Mia quickly adds, “All of us, obviously. Him and Francesca, me and Vince.”

“Aww,” Meg croons. “You guys are going on double dates. That’s adorable. Why don’t we ever go on double dates?” she asks Mateo.

“Because nobody likes me,” he remarks, dryly.

“Adrian likes you. Adrian, Elise, it’s decided; we’re going on a double date.”

“Pass,” Adrian says, not even bothering to look up from his plate.

“Oh, come on. It’ll be fun!”

“It won’t,” he tosses back flatly.

Meg scrunches up her nose, then turns a radiant smile on Mia. “Hey, best friend.”

“Nope.” Mia is already shaking her head.

“But you love me.”

“I do. I’m still not going on a double date with you.”

“Even if it’s fun? Like, more fun than you have ever had in your whole life?”

Mia continues to shake her head. “Never gonna happen.”

Nudging me with her elbow, she says, “All right, kung pao friend, I guess you guys are up. Whaddya say? Two bosses out on the town with their ladies?” She nods, raising her eyebrows enticingly.

Francesca leans forward to tell Meg, “We’re gonna pass as well.”

Mateo smiles as he puts his wine glass back down on the table. “See?”

“You guys are all a bunch of fun-ruiners. Alec, you need to start dating someone and go on a double date with us.”

“Oh, sure, I’ll get right on it,” he says sardonically.

“Hey, you could call Dante and Colette for a double date, I know how much you loved her,” Mia states, grinning.

“Ugh, no thanks.” Shaking her head, she turns to Mateo. “I never thought I’d say this, but you don’t have enough family members.”

Mateo rolls his eyes at the ridiculousness of that statement. “I have way too many. You’ll meet more tomorrow, but none that you can invite on double dates.”

“I don’t know why I’m so eager anyway,” she remarks, reaching for her water. “Last time we tried to go out, I got a new, less fun hole shot into my body.”

Mia chokes on her wine and pats her chest a couple of times, flushing.

Francesca was correct; the similarities between Meg and Mia end as soon as Meg’s mouth opens.

We finally finish our salads so the ladies stand to clear our plates and bring out the next round. Mia lingers long enough for Meg to catch up so they can head into the kitchen together, and Francesca waits for them to leave so she doesn’t get sucked in. Elise is the most efficient and brings out dinner for Alec and Adrian, then heads back for her own.

Francesca makes it back out before Meg, so she leans down and wraps her arms around my neck, pressing a kiss against my cheek and murmuring, “Sorry you have to sit by her. It was you or me; I threw you to the wolves.”

Smiling faintly, I glance back at her. “She’s fine. Maybe a little more energetic than I expected, but…”

“She’s annoying.”

Mateo pipes in, even though Meg isn’t back yet, with a mild, “Be nice.”

Francesca rolls her eyes, but stands to go back to her seat. Meg and Mia come through the doors and Meg flashes Francesca a smile, but instead of moving, Francesca remains behind me for some reason. I twist to look up at her and see her eyes wide and glued to Meg’s left hand.