Page 72 of Single Malt Drama

“I like that rule.” I stood and stretched my arms over my head. “But I’m picking the movie.”

Marco pressed his palms together and closed his eyes. “Holy Father, if you’re listening. Please let there be a yoga DVD.”

“You’re incorrigible.” I tossed a pillow at him.

“Incorrigible, horny for my wife, in love, same difference.” He propped himself up on one elbow.

“You sure you don’t want to have more sex? I’ll be okay as long as you’re gentle.”

Marco’s cell rang before he could answer.

“Second new rule. I turn my phone off when the sun sets.” He fished around for his jeans.

“I like that one too.”

Marco brought the phone to his ear. “Marchionni.”

I held my breath while waiting for his reaction.

“Alessio. No, you aren’t interrupting anything.” He laughed and spoke in Italian. “We’re on our honeymoon. What could you possibly be interrupting?”

“Marco!” I lunged for the phone, but he held me off.

“I’m kidding, but yes, Nico and I were married.” He went quiet. “Yes, sir. I understand. Rest assured, I love her too much to ever hurt her.”

Oh boy. I almost felt bad for him having to endure one of Alessio’s lectures.

Blushing from his cheeks to the tips of his ears, he handed me the phone.

“Pronto, Alessio.” My heart lurched. With everything going on, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed them. “Are you well? Any troubles? How is Maria?”

He chuckled. “We are perfect. Are you happy, Nico?”

“So happy. Marco and I both are.”

“Then I am happy for you.” He grumbled to someone in the room. “Maria wants to speak to you.”

“Please.” I couldn’t stop smiling. At the time, it hadn’t bothered me that Hildie was the only one to attend our wedding, but speaking to them made me wish they’d been there.

Maria’s voice boomed over the line. “You are married!”

“Yes, nonnina.”

“In a church? You didn’t do as the Americans do and go to a judge?”

Laughing, I said, “A priest gave us the sacrament in a church.”

“And we were not there?” She groaned.

Her tone made my chest hurt. “Marco promised me we would have another wedding, a big one, with flowers and food and music. You and Alessio will come to that one.”

Maria sighed. “That will do. Are you happy? Have you… Do you need the motherly talk?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes for fear she’d know I’d done it. “Marco is a good teacher. We’re figuring things out as we go.”

“Is he…good to you?”

I hesitated. Are we still speaking of sex? Does it matter? The answer is the same in and out of bed. “He is very good to me. How do you like Canton?”