Page 52 of Single Malt Drama
“Are you sure?”
“Enzo’s a Michelin star chef. He can find his way around the kitchen.” Hildie dried her hands. “I don’t suppose it’s a good idea for you to leave the house, so I’ll need a list of what you need, the sizes, and any specific designers you prefer.”
“Actually, I’d prefer simple clothes from a department store. Pants and shorts with pockets would be great, and some T-shirts.” I laughed, never thinking in a million years I’d send someone to the mall to purchase my clothes.
Hildie gave me a knowing smile. “I take it you’ll be staying here for the foreseeable future?”
I hated to tell yet more lies, but I wasn’t sure how much she would relay to Evelyn, Marco’s mother. Instead, I went with a vague reply. “We haven’t decided, but summer clothes should work.”
“Jot down your sizes and any color preferences. I’ll take care of the rest.” She handed me a pen and paper and motioned to the kitchen table. “It’s wonderful to see you and Marco have stayed friends all of these years.”
I recognized a fishing expedition when I saw one, but I had no idea how to respond. Marco and I had led our parents to believe we were already married. Had Evelyn told Hildie? What if I tell her the truth and they compare notes?
“He’s an amazing man.” I focused on making a list of items I needed from the store.
She chuckled. “He’s a rascal, and we both know it. But he sure is sweet on you.”
We’re just friendssat on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it down. “The feeling is mutual.”
Hildie rested her hand on top of mine, effectively stopping my list writing and forcing me to meet her gaze. “Nicolina, it might seem like he’s a duck in water letting everything roll off his back, but that’s not the case.”
A duck? What is she saying?“I’m not sure I understand.”
She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Marco puts on a show to convince the world he’s invincible. He uses humor to hide his feelings.”
“And when humor doesn’t work, he uses his sex appeal or bulldozes his way through his problems.” Like what he did with Pete Cole. I couldn’t help but smile. She wasn’t trying to get information out of me, she was worried about one of her boys.
“It’s none of my business, but do you love him?”
Hildie’s world seemed to hang on my response. She was to Marco what Maria was to me, the women who’d raised us, even though we weren’t theirs, they loved us just the same.
“Yes. So much, sometimes I feel like I’ll drown in it.” It felt good to say the words aloud. “But I’m not sure he feels the same way about me.”
The elderly woman squeezed my hand. “You have nothing to worry about. He feels the same way about you—he’s just not ready to admit it.”
The envelope in my back pocket told me otherwise. “I don’t know about that. He reminds me we are friends every chance he gets.”
“Is he reminding you or trying to convince himself?” She laughed softly. “I believe he’s loved you since he was too young to know what love was. Every time he came home from Sicily, he’d talk about nothing but you for months on end.”
I wanted to believe her, but at the same time, his actions told a different story. “That was a long time ago.”
She bit back a grin. “Not that long, only a couple of days.”
An ember of hope warmed me from the inside out. “He talked to you about me since he came home? I mean…of course, he had to tell you why I was here unannounced, but…”
“He did.” She narrowed her eyes, but her smile never faded. “Don’t go and ask me what he said. I can’t tell you the details.”
I threw my arms around her and hugged her tight like I had Maria and Alessio. “Hildie, could you find a white dress for me? Something simple, but romantic.”
Her cloudy eyes twinkled with mischief. “Ah…so the rumors aren’t quite true?”
I hesitated, hoping I hadn’t made a mistake in trusting her.
As if she read my mind, she smiled. “My darling girl, take a breath. I may work for Evelyn, but that doesn’t include spying for her. My priority is and always will be my boys’ happiness.”
“Mine, too. Well, one of them anyway.” I sighed. “We’re not married yet, but we will be very soon.”
Hildie stood. “Come with me. I have something you might like.”