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“You gonna have some by the time you open, or do I gotta bring some over from the pizzeria?” she asked, sounding as if she wouldn’t argue this new shift of events.
“That’s a good idea, Ma. The pizzeria has some extra stored in the back closet. I should’ve thought of that before. Don’t know why I didn’t.”
“Cause you’re doing too much, that’s why,” she scolded. “Maybe this ain’t a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea,” Ted said, as he approached, wearing a white chef’s jacket with the logo I’d worked up, stitched in red over his heart. The jackets must have just arrived. The double-breasted, short-sleeved jacket looked amazing, and I was impressed with myself for picking them out and designing the logo that was also on the sign above the front door. We also ordered a few long-sleeved versions, but those weren’t as safe for cooking as the short-sleeved versions. The rest of the kitchen staff wore white aprons, but our two main chefs would be in jackets. “The kitchen staff is ready, and with the last order of fish that just arrived, we can cook for a full house tonight. And most of the waitstaff can help. We were bringing them in tonight anyway, for a final run through, so this will be a perfect trial run.”
“Then let’s do this,” Gianni said, but I knew I had to rescue him before tonight and make sure he slept… like maybe right now would be a good time.
“Okay, everybody. We’re all set for tonight. How about dinner at eight, would that work?” I asked.
And for once, everyone seemed to agree, even Mama Capra.
“Until then, Gianni and I have some paperwork to finish filling out, so if you’ll excuse us?” I took Gianni’s hand and waltzed him back to his office and shut the door behind us.
“Wow, babe, that was daring,” he said, as he took me in his arms and kissed my neck.
“I had no choice, but it wasn’t for sex. It’s for sleep, which you’re going to do right now, on that new leather sofa you bought precisely for naps,” I told him as I reluctantly squirmed out of his embrace.
“And for other things,” he whispered.
“Not today, big guy. Today, we’re taking a sex break, and you’re going to get some sleep.”
“Sure, but can’t we just…”
“Nope. Nothing. I’m calling a timeout. You’re going to lie down on that sofa, and I’m going to put the final touches on my thesis. It’s essentially done, but I still want to read it one more time. So that door is staying locked until you get at least a couple uninterrupted hours, and I finish my reading.”
He sat but didn’t stay upright for long. It only took a little nudge from me, and he toppled over. Of course, he grabbed me as he went down and suddenly, I was lying on top of him.
“That’s better,” he said, gazing into my eyes, but I could tell he was dead tired, and those beautiful eyes of his were already closing.
“Fine. I’ll spoon with you until you fall asleep, but no sex.”
He yawed, one of those great big yawns that caused his eyes to water. The man was exhausted, but didn’t want to give up. I loved his determination, and I’d was usually on his side when he pushed through to get things done. Not this time. This time he’d pushed too far.
“That’s impossible,” he said. “I always want sex with you. It’s a twenty-four-hour obsession.”
He yawned once again and after I turned off the ring on both our phones and placed them out of reach on the desk, we moved into a cozy spooning position on the sofa. I pulled a couple decorator pillows under our heads and covered us with the bright orange throw I’d brought from home.
We cuddled then, his arm around me, his warm breath on my neck, and my body resting against his. He didn’t struggle, nor did he try to kiss me. Instead, in the next few moments, the world and everything we had to do slipped away into darkness.
BY THE TIME I awoke, I knew several hours had passed. Gianni was no longer lying behind me, and the door to the office was only half-closed. I heard voices, a lot of voices coming from the restaurant.
I sat up, stretched, and as if on cue, Sarah walked in, carrying a tote and the new dress I’d recently bought, a red lacy number with a square neckline and thick lace straps that crossed down my back, almost to my waist. The dress came down to about two inches above my knees but had a lacy, sheer panel around the hem to show off more leg.
I knew how much red lace drove Gianni crazy, so I wanted to be covered in it for Valentine’s Day.
“You’re finally awake,” she said as she walked right in. “I thought you might need a few things for this dinner tonight.”
“I do, but I was going to wear that dress for the grand opening,” I told her. “You didn’t happen to bring another one, did you?”
She wore a little black, V-neck sheath dress that showed off all her curves. Her hair had a few well-placed bright-red streaks, and her sparkly earrings almost touched her shoulders. She wore black booties with a chunky high heel that gave her height a couple more inches. Her lips were painted bright red, and her eye makeup was thick and dark. I’d never seen her so glammed up before.
“You still can… but it’s all I brought, and believe me, I’ve seen that crowd out there, and you’ll want to look your best.”
“It’s just dinner with Gianni’s family,” I said. “Why are you so dressed up?”
“I was told to wear cocktail attire, so I think it’s more than just a dinner with family.”
