Page 27 of Time Served in New York
“She’s not impressedat all,” Luca informed me before he grinned at his glaring brother. “It’s kind of awesome.”
“We’re planning on staying for a few extra days after the wedding so I can reconnect with some old friends. If you figure out how to make this happen, I’ll let your sweetheart rent my houseandI’ll interview her for a job.”
“You are the best stepmom a guy could ever ask for,” Matteo gushed.
Luca rolled his eyes, but I nudged him with my shoulder and then he smiled too. I leaned close to him and said, “I’m more than willing to help if there’s some girl you’re interested in too.”
“I’ve got the world at my feet, Bernadette. There’s no reason to attach a ball and chain just yet.” Luca grinned and nudged me back before he said, “Besides, I’ve got way more charm than that one. I can take care of myself just fine.”
“Why are you two over here flirting with my old lady?” Valentine asked as he walked toward our table.
“I was trying to convince her that she should go with a younger, more handsome Russo, but she’s resistant,” Luca teased. “I’ve got some time to work on her, though. You better watch out, old man.”
“Don’t let that devilish smile and wicked charm get to you, Birdie. These boys don’t know how to handle a real woman yet,” Valentine said with a mock glare directed toward his sons.
“Neither of them have a chance, Valentine. There’s no way they can cook nearly as well as you.”
“That’s all he’s got going for him?” Luca asked. “I’m not a slouch in the kitchen, you know. As a matter of fact . . .”
Valentine put his hand out for mine and said, “Birdie, get away from these little delinquents before they try to turn your head.” I took his hand and stood up, and Valentine grinned. “See, boys? If you treat a woman right, she’ll always be loyal.”
“Well, I guess we’ll see. They’ve convinced me to spend a day in Riverdale with them after the wedding,” I explained. Valentine put his hand on my back and guided me toward a group of our friends milling about, ready for the dinner that was about to be served in the dining area right off the banquet room. “I’ll let you know which way I’m leaning after that.”
“Until then, I’ve got plenty of time to convince you that I’m the best Russo, don’t I?” Valentine whispered close to my ear. “As a matter of fact, there’s a room down the hall that might be the perfect place to get started.”
“We’ll miss dinner.”
“I’ll eatyoufor dinner and make sure we’re back in time for dessert.”
“Lead the way, handsome.”
???
BLUE
“I feel like that big marshmallow guy in the movies,” Jude said as he zipped up the coat I’d bought him at the ski store.
“She came home with this thing and I thought, there’s no fucking way it’s that cold up there,” Captain said as he pulled on a pair of gloves. “Then we stepped off the plane, and I started looking for fucking polar bears.”
“Look at me,” Matalie said before she did a dramatic spin and struck a pose. The red coat swirled around her, and she grinned as she flipped the houndstooth scarf over her shoulder. “I don’t think I’m ever going to give this back to Maylee.”
“You look so fancy,” Frankie said as she and my brother joined us. “Is that coat okay, Blue?”
“It’s perfect,” I said as I smoothed my hand over the front of the wool peacoat I’d borrowed when we got to New York.
“Good color,” Brea said as she walked up wearing a coat similar to the one I had on but in a burnt orange rather than midnight blue like mine. “When Frankie said she had all the winter stuff we’d need, I thought she might be exaggerating, but it was like walking into a department store.”
“I’ve been collecting some of those pieces since I was a teenager,” Frankie admitted. She turned to face my brother and ran her hands up his chest and over the coat she’d chosen for him before she tipped her face up for a kiss. “I’m slowly working on expanding Christopher’s wardrobe too.”
“Is he going to branch out and start wearing shirts with buttons?” I asked snidely. “I’m just afraid Frankie’s going to lose patience and give up on my brother if he can’t figure out how to dress himself.”
“You’re such a hag,” Christopher said with an eye roll. “Are we ready yet? Where are we going anyway?”
Jenn, Boss, Paula, and Hook walked up just then, bundled up for the cold weather. “Where are Bug and Maylee?”
“They’re hanging out in their room with Boo tonight,” Jenn explained.
“Likely excuse,” Jude muttered. “Kitty’s not coming either.”
