The First Sin (Sins of the Past 1)

I touched his thigh, taking a sip of what tasted like pinot grigio. “Let’s get drunk and have sex for the rest of the night. I’ve changed my mind about the bar.”

He laughed. “As you wish.”

I tapped his wine glass with mine and took another sip. “Did your dad tell you about the dinner we have to attend this weekend? My dad was super pissed.”

Angelo gently stroked my shoulder with his fingers. “Yep. I was told to buy a tux for me and a dress for you.”

I cocked an eyebrow at him. “You were told?”

“By my dad.”

“Did you buy me a dress?”

“Nope.” He kissed me on the cheek. “I thought you’d want to come with me. I know how picky you are when it comes to clothes.”

I glanced over at him and smiled. “You’re taking me shopping? That alone makes me want to go to this stuffy fundraiser.”

“At least that makes one of us who wants to go. My dad told my brothers and me we were going. There was no discussion.”

“Do you know why we have to go? Something weird happened at the office the other day.”

Before Angelo had time to respond, his mother stepped through the double doors, a wide grin on her face.

“Cucciolo,” she said. I loved Mrs. Morelli’s nickname for Angelo. He had sad puppy dog eyes, which made it the perfect name to call him. Glowing with genuine excitement, she leaned over and kissed him on his left and then right cheek.

“Hey, Ma.” He released her from his grip and slid his hand across the back of my neck.

I greeted his mother the same way as Angelo had, with a kiss on each cheek.

“You eating with us, Ma?” Angelo patted the open space next to him.

She shook her head. “No, I have to get back to the kitchen.”

“Nothing doing,” Angelo said to her. “You work too hard. Sit and eat with us.”

“I wish I could, baby. We’re shorthanded tonight. Two of our line chefs are out with the flu. One of the vendors ran out of tomatoes, so I had to send someone to the market to buy more.”

“We can help you.” Angelo attempted to slide off the bench, and Ma pushed her hand out to stop him.

“It’s all taken care of. You two sit and eat. Enjoy your dinner. You don’t get to spend enough time together.”

“I don’t get to spend enough time with you either, Ma.” He touched my forearm and then his mother’s. “I have the two most important women in my life right here. It’s not often I get to see you together. Come. Sit. Have some wine with us.”

Ma tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear and straightened a red blouse that hung loosely from her petite frame. “I ate an hour ago. How about I have dessert with you?”

Angelo clutched my hand tighter, holding it under the table on his thigh. The warmth from his body rushed through mine. “Sounds good, Ma. Don’t work too hard.”

His mother opened the door, and then, she disappeared into the crowded restaurant.

“I wish she would knock this off,” Angelo growled. “I hate that she chooses to spend all her time slaving over a stove.”

“Maybe she likes to cook.”

“Ma loves to cook. But she could cook at home, where she’s not killing herself to serve a bunch of strangers.”

“Have you ever thought maybe she does it to get out of the house?”

“You mean to get away from my dad?” I nodded, and he continued, “I guess I never thought of it that way. I’d want to get the fuck away from him too if I were her. He doesn’t deserve my mother.”