What they didn’t know and what he didn’t tell them was that they would never come together like this again. And the vineyard workers would be losing their jobs in the near future, when the new owner took over.
Until this point, Enzo had refused to let himself acknowledge this very obvious—very painful fact. He knew if he was to consider it, he might very well back away from the offer. And then what? He remained here?
He didn’t want to think about the past and wonder what else their parents had lied to them about. He wanted to do what his sisters had done and turn his back on this place.
Of all the people here this evening, he noticed that his sisters weren’t among the guests. Not that he would expect them to drop everything in their very busy lives and travel here for his thirty-second birthday. But they’d never not remembered to give him a card. No matter where they were in their lives or in the world, they always remembered each other’s birthdays. Until now.
“Great party, huh?”
Enzo glanced to his right. “Yeah.”
Next to him stood his right-hand man, Vito. He had also been his father’s second-in-command. His father and Vito had grown up together. But looking at Vito now, the only thing betraying his true age was his silver hair and mustache. Other than that, the man didn’t look old enough to have grown children, nor did he act as though his first grandchild was on the way. He was a man with an abundance of energy and a smile for most anyone.
“It’s too bad your parents aren’t here to share this with you,” Vito said. “They’d love it.”
Enzo didn’t want to discuss them. He had too many mixed emotions where they were concerned.
“Did you get something to eat?” Enzo asked.
“I was headed that way. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday.” He extended his hand. They shook before sharing a quick one-armed hug. And then Vito moved toward the food.
The fact Sylvie went to so much trouble for him should have touched him—touched him deeply. And it did. But there was also another feeling nagging at him. Guilt. A huge case of it.
Why had she gone to such trouble for him? He didn’t deserve it. He had let his frustrations show around her and that wasn’t good. He could do better where Sylvie was concerned. He would do better.
There were meats and cheeses. A fruit platter took up a large portion of the table. Pasta was heaped in a large bowl with oil, olives, fresh diced tomatoes and herbs. There was enough food here to feed a small army. And as good as it all looked and smelled, he didn’t have an appetite.
“Where’s your plate?” Sylvie asked once the crowd thinned out around him.
“I...uh...didn’t have a chance to get anything.” He hoped she’d drop the subject, but he knew her well enough to know she’d push until he ate something.
“Then let’s get you something.” She reached for a plate and handed it to him. “Fill it up before the food is all gone.”
If he had to eat, she did, too. “Where’s your food?”
“I haven’t had a chance to get some, either. So why don’t we get some together?” She smiled at him. How was it possible that someone’s smile could be so bright it warmed a spot in his chest?
He grabbed a plate for Sylvie and handed it to her. “Lead the way.”
And so she did, helping him fill his plate until there was absolutely no room left. “How am I supposed to eat all of this?”
“You’ve worked hard all day. And those are all your favorites. I’m sure you’ll find a way.”
It was then that he stared down at the plate. She was right. These were all his favorites. “You did this, didn’t you?”
She shrugged as she added some fresh fruit to her plate. “I just remembered. And I might have texted Bianca.”
He smiled—his first smile of the day. “I’m not so sure how I feel about you and my sister being such good friends.”
“Are you afraid I’ll learn all of your secrets?”
Her innocent words struck far too close to home. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The smile slipped from her face. “Doesn’t everyone have things they are holding back?”
He didn’t want to have this conversation. Not at all. “Let’s sit down and eat.”
As they made their way to a couple of empty chairs, he rolled around her words in his mind. Was she referring to his family’s secrets? Because he was certain she didn’t know his secret. Or was she referring to her own?