“We’ll have to change that.” Lizzie turned back to his father. “Your son is an excellent cook and he’s turning out to be an excellent teacher.”
“I have an idea.” There was a gleam in his father’s eyes. “I’m sure Dante has told you that Massimo hasn’t had an easy time moving away from the city and leaving the ristorante behind.”
Lizzie nodded. “He mentioned it. What can I do to help?”
“That’s the spirit.” Papa smiled. “I was thinking that we should celebrate his birthday.”
“You mean like a party.”
He nodded. “Something special to show him that...well, you know
.”
“To let him know that everybody loves him.”
Papa nodded. “I’ll hire the musicians.”
Lizzie’s face lit up and she turned to Dante. “What do you think? Would you be willing to bring me back here?”
He couldn’t think of anything he’d like more. “I think it can be arranged.”
She smiled at him and a spot in his chest warmed. The warmth spread throughout his body. And he realized that for the first time he was at total ease around his father. Lizzie was a miracle worker.
“Don’t worry about a thing.” She patted his father’s arm. “Dante and I will take care of all the food. Although your son might have to get a bigger vehicle to haul everything.”
That was not a problem. Her wish was his command. He had a feeling that this party was going to be a huge deal and not just for his grandfather. He had a feeling his own life would never be the same again.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
AND THAT WAS a wrap!
Two weeks ahead of schedule, the filming was over. Lizzie was exhausted. They’d worked every available minute to get enough footage for the studio to splice together for the upcoming season.
And so far Dante hadn’t said a word about everything they’d shared at the vineyard. Every time she’d worked up the courage to ask him about it, there was no opportunity for them to talk privately. And it was driving her crazy wondering where they went from here. Technically, she still had another two weeks in Rome to learn as much as she could from him. But her biggest lessons hadn’t been taught in the kitchen.
Somewhere along the way, she’d fallen in love with Dante. Oh, she’d been in love with him for longer than she’d been willing to admit. And she accepted that was the reason she’d been so freaked out after they’d made love. She just couldn’t bear to have him reject her, so she did the rejecting first. Not her best move.
“Something on your mind?” Dante asked as he strolled into the living room Saturday morning.
“I was thinking about you.” She watched as surprise filtered across his handsome features.
“You were?” In a navy suit, white dress shirt and maroon tie, he looked quite dashing. “Only good thoughts, I hope.”
“Definitely.” Her gaze skimmed down over him again, enjoying the view. “You look a bit overdressed to be heading downstairs to help with the lunch crowd.”
“That’s because I’m not. I made arrangements so the kitchen is covered today. You, my pretty lady, have the day off.” His smile sent her heart tumbling.
To spend with him! She grinned back at him.
She shouldn’t have worried. It’d been the rush of the filming and keeping up with the increasing crush of patrons that had kept him from following up on those kisses at the vineyard. She was certain of it now.
“I like the sounds of that. What shall we do with the day?”
“I don’t know about you, but I have a meeting.”
“A meeting?” The words slipped past her lips.
A questioning brow lifted. “Is that a problem?”