Ready for Love by Catherine Maiorisi

Author:Catherine Maiorisi [Maiorisi, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642470758
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2019-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

Mrs. Montero immediately recognized the girls as Constance’s daughters. She fussed over them, discussing what they liked to eat and suggesting appetizers that might challenge their tastes.

Chloe ordered first. “Chicken parmesan, please.”

“I’ll have spaghetti and meatballs, please,” Cara said.

“And linguini in white clam sauce for me,” Renee said. “Also we’ll share stuffed clams, scungilli salad, stuffed peppers, and grilled octopus.”

“Octopus? Eew.” The girls made a face at each other. “What’s a scungilli?” Cara said.

Renee laughed. “It’s conch. You should try everything and decide whether you like it after you taste it.” She turned to Mrs. Montero. “I’d also like a glass of pinot grigio.”

Click, click.

“Can we have wine too?” She thought it was Chloe who asked.

Renee was pretty sure little English girls didn’t have wine with dinner. “Does your mom allow you to drink wine?”

Chloe and Cara eyed each other. It was probably Cara who answered. “No, but we’re old enough.”

Renee had grown up drinking wine from the time she wanted it, watered in the beginning of course. She looked at Mrs. Montero and spoke in Italian. “Since it’s their first time please give them a little wine mixed with a lot of seltzer.”

“Will it be all right with Constance?” Mrs. Montero answered in Italian.

Renee didn’t know how Constance would feel but she felt it was important to establish trust with the girls. She answered in Italian. “I’ll take responsibility. Better they learn to drink in a safe environment.” She turned to the girls. “When I was your age I had wine mixed with sparkling water and that’s what I’m ordering for you.”

“Three wines coming up,” Mrs. Montero said. Chloe and Cara were wide-eyed.

When Constance arrived, they were laughing hysterically at a story Renee was telling them about her college days. Renee saw her standing in the doorway to the dining room watching them. What did she see? The girls had enjoyed their wine but they seemed normal. They were having a good time and so was she.

Click, click.

Renee hardly noticed the cameras.

Constance sat. She still had that glow but she was clearly exhausted. Mrs. Montero appeared with a goblet of red wine. “Your lasagna will be out shortly, Constance.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Montero. What wonderful service.” Mrs. Montero was all smiles. “Your daughters are bellissima, just like you.”

“And thank you again.” Her eyes wandered around the table as she drank some wine. “All right you three, what’s going on?”

Renee opened her mouth but the twins spoke over her, their excitement evident. “Renee let us have wine with dinner.”

Constance looked at Renee, her eyebrows raised. “Wine? Is that why you’re all so happy?”

Renee cleared her throat. “They had wine but they’re not drunk. We’ve been having a good time telling stories.”

“Yes, Mums, we’ve been having a jolly time with Renee.” She thought it was Cara speaking.

The other twin jumped in. “We’re not drunk, Mummie. Renee let us have wine mixed with sparkling water so we’d know what to expect when someone offers us a drink.”

“And how are you feeling, my darlings?”

Was

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