“I’m sorry we didn’t find each other sooner too.” Her eyes lock on mine. “Marti looks for you everywhere. Whenever she passes a man with brown hair, or one walks into the restaurant, she studies his face. There’s been something she’s wanted to say to you since that day.”
“What?” I croak out the word.
“I’ll let her tell you.” She springs up on her tiptoes to kiss the corner of my mouth. “Whenever you’re ready, we’ll go see her.”
Glancing down at the watch on my wrist, I realize it’s still morning. “Today?”
“Today.”
Chapter 58
Bella
The Saturday lunch service at Calvetti’s is always a treat. New people wander in as they scour this area of the city looking for a special place to eat.
My grandma takes time to stand at the door to greet diners. With a shake of her hand, they’re welcomed into her restaurant as if it’s her home. She’s never turned anyone away even if they didn’t have enough money to pay for their meal.
In those cases, she’d find something for them to do around the restaurant.
Her heart is the most beautiful I’ve ever known.
I walk in first with Barrett trailing behind me. He changed into a blue dress shirt that’s not tucked into his jeans. He shaved and combed his hair while I waited in his new apartment.
It felt comfortable in a way the penthouse never did.
I haven’t asked him about work yet, but that will come later.
Now, it’s all about reuniting him with my grandma.
“Marti,” I call out to her as she speaks to a table surrounded by people with graying hair.
I know that crew. She plays poker with them one night a month. Rocco taught her everything she knows. She’s used her winnings to spruce up the kitchen.
She turns to face me. The apron around her waist is spotted with red sauce. Her cheeks are pink from the heat in the kitchen. The smile that takes over her mouth warms me through and through.
I’m about to give her the greatest gift in the world.
“I have a surprise,” I say as she approaches.
Taking me in her arms, she pats the center of my back. “Sit, Dolly. There’s lasagna. I made it myself.”
“Grandma.” I take a step back, reaching for her hands. “There’s someone here to see you.”
Her gaze flits across my face before it settles on the man standing behind me.
I feel her hands stiffen in mine just as her breath catches.
Tilting her head, she furrows her brow. “Dolly.”
I let her go when I feel her tug away. Rounding me, she walks shakily toward Barrett. I turn to watch them.
“Mrs. Calvetti,” he says her name with a tremor in his deep voice. “I’m so pleased to meet you.”
She stops short of taking the hand he’s offering. Instead, she leans back on her heels.
I move to stand next to Barrett so I can see the expression on her face.
The tears flowing down her cheeks give it away. She knows.