Chapter 30

 

 

 

Afton

 

 

“I’ll take the roses for you.” Joel stretches out his arms as if I’m about to hand him a newborn infant. “I know the perfect vase for them. They’ll be ready and waiting for you when you get home later.”

I intended to go home now, but a call changed that.

I have no idea if Luke plotted it that way, but if it’s a coincidence, it’s a big one.

His grandmother, Martina Calvetti, called me just as I took the last bite of my breakfast. I flashed my phone’s screen in Luke’s direction with a perched brow.

He was mid-chew at the time, so his only response was a smile.

I glance over my shoulder to where Luke is still sitting at the table. “He’s going to go to Calvetti’s with me to make the introductions.”

“You’re meeting your future granny-in-law in that getup?” Joel scrunches his nose.

I shrug both shoulders. “I thought you liked this dress?”

“In the dark when I’m wearing sunglasses, I do,” he teases.

Shaking my head, I bite back a smile. “I think Mrs. Calvetti will appreciate my authenticity.”

“Is that what we’re calling your roll-right-out-of-bed-and-out-the-door look?”

I bark out a laugh. “You’re brutal.”

“I’m joking,” he admits. “You look like a million bucks.”

“That’s overkill.” I tap his forearm. “I’ll settle for looking like an accomplished photographer and food stylist when I meet Marti.”

“An accomplished photographer and food stylist with a mad crush on her grandson,” Joel adds.

I carefully place the flowers in his arms. “Take good care of these.”

He rocks them back and forth. “One day, you’ll say that when I’m holding the children that Luke sires.”

“Sires?” I shake my head. “Who talks like that?”

“The character in another audition I have this afternoon.” He sighs. “The work just keeps coming, Afton. Just like you will when Luke…”

“No.” I stop him with a hand in the air. “We’re not going there.”

“Luke will.” He leans forward to kiss my forehead. “I’m telling you that guy is a beast in bed. That energy is pouring out of him.”

I glance at Luke to find him staring at us. “You’re going to make me blush.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” Joel says. “Get back to that table, Afton. Your man awaits.”

 

***

 

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Calvetti,” I say as I offer Luke’s grandma my hand.

She stares at it before pulling me in for a hug. “No handshaking.”

I won’t complain.

When she steps back, she glances at Luke. “I like her.”

“Me too,” he says softly.

That widens Marti’s eyes. “You do?”

Clearing his throat, he points at the kitchen. “You said you jotted down some ideas for new website photos. Why don’t you grab your notes? They’re in the kitchen, right?”

“What’s the rush?” she asks, smoothing her hands over the front of the apron tied around her waist. “I’ll bring a bowl of manicotti. You can share.”

“We just ate,” Luke blurts out.

His grandmother narrows her gaze. “Breakfast? Together?”

Her lips morph into a wide grin as his face goes ashen.

“Grandma.” He tosses her a look that is an obvious warning to change the subject.

“What?” she spits the word out in the middle of a laugh. “I know about sex. How do you think I had so many children?”

I hold in a giggle.

“This conversation is over.” He tugs her into a hug before he kisses her in the middle of her forehead. “Grab the notepad. Afton is going to help us make your website look better than ever.”

“You’re looking better than ever,” she bounces his words back at him. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you looking this happy.”

His gaze finds mine. “Life is looking up.”

Marti glances at me. “What can I get you to drink, Afton?”

“I’m fine, but thank you,” I reply softly.

“I’ll bring water and coffee,” she says before marching toward the kitchen.

Luke motions to a round table. “Let’s sit.”

My knees were knocking with nervous energy when we arrived, but after that warm welcome, I’ve calmed enough that I’m confident I can walk a few steps without questioning whether I’ll tumble forward.

He holds the back of a wooden chair while I settle onto it. Taking a spot across the table from me, he smiles. “She likes you.”

“I like her.”

It’s a laughable statement. Everyone loves Marti Calvetti. Today is the first time I’ve been formally introduced to her, but I’ve had lunch and dinner here more times than I can count.

“Good,” Luke answers as he pats his hand on the table. “I appreciate you doing this, Afton.”

I don’t consider this just another job. Calvetti’s is an institution in New York. It’s important to me that I showcase the food in a way that speaks of its authenticity and the love that goes into every bite.

Whoever handled the photography for the website now didn’t put their heart and soul into it. I have no idea if that’s because cost was a factor or not, but I plan on offering Marti a very reduced rate. If she balks at that, I’ll ask her to make up the difference in free lasagna for a month.

“What are your plans after this?” Luke asks before he glances over his shoulder toward the kitchen.

“I’m going to smell the roses.”

His gaze narrows. “The roses I gave you?”

I nod.

“Care for some company?” He taps his fingertip against the side of his nose. “I wouldn’t mind smelling the roses too.”

I know we’ll do more than that. I want to do more than that.

“I’d like that,” I say. “I’d like that very much.”