Page 27 of Little Last Words

“We talk about it from time to time.”

“And?”

“We’ve been in a relationship for almost three years now. Nothing has ever happened to make me question him. I still see the guy I knew in college when I was roommates with his sister. He still acts the same, talks the same.”

“What does he say when he mentions his family?”

“I don’t ask too many questions,” I said. “Giovanni tells me how everyone is doing. He keeps it simple; so do I.”

“I meant, does he talk to you about the business side of things?”

“From what he’s told me, their business dealings these days are legitimate.”

“And you believe him?”

“I believehisbusiness dealings are aboveboard. As for everyone else in the family, I wouldn’t know. I think it’s better if I don’t.”

“Have you spent any time with his family over the last few years?”

The last time I’d seen his family was when we were in college. Giovanni’s sister, Daniela, invited me to visit over the summer when school was out. I remember thinking I’d never been to a home as lavish as the one she was raised in. Everyone seemed nice, but anyone can seem nice until you get to know them.

“I haven’t seen Giovanni’s family in many years,” I said. “They’re in New York, and we’re here. His parents are both dead, and Daniela runs things for the Luciana family. Why? What’s your impression of him?”

“From everything I’ve seen, he’s good to you and for you. He’s never been anything but respectful when I’m around. I can see how much he cares for you, and that means everything to me. And the two of you are taking things slow, which is also good.”

“You approve of him, then?”

“I mean, yeah, from what I know of him.” He paused a moment, then added, “Plus, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to have someone in the family with ties to organized crime, right? I mean, you never know when you might need help making someone disappear.”

“Nathan!”

He stopped at a traffic light and turned toward me. “I’m teasing. I’m teasing. In all seriousness, Giovanni seems great.”

Enough talk about Giovanni.

I was ready to move on to anything else.

“What about you?” I asked. “Any special lady in your life?”

“You know me, single as a Pringle. I’ve never been any good when it comes to commitment.”

“I always thought you’d find someone one day, someone who suits your lifestyle, a fellow jetsetter.”

We pulled up to my favorite Greek restaurant and parked. Through the window, I saw lots of happy, shining faces. My sister and brother, Phoebe and Paul. My coworkers, Simone and Hunter. My mother, and my stepdad, Harvey.

“Giovanni should be here with us,” I said. “He didn’t have to stay away just because we’re doing something later on.”

“He’ll be along in a few minutes. He stopped at the bakery to pick up your cake. And youdidn’thear that from me.”

Nathan leaned forward like he was about to hop out of the truck, and then he didn’t.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Before we go in, if you don’t mind me asking, the woman who died last night. What’s her name? Is she anyone we know? It’s a small town. I may not be around much, but I still know a lot of the locals around our age.”

“Penelope Barlow. She’s a bit younger than we are. I didn’t know her or her family.”

“I know her.”