I groaned. “Angelo, I have to go back out there.” At least I was wearing an apron.”
He just laughed as I opened the office door.
The rest of his family had gone, but Lucien was waiting at the end of the counter.
“Congratulations, Cameron. You should be very proud of what you’ve created here.”
“I am. Thank you.”
“If you have just a few more minutes, I have a proposition for you.”
How was it that Lucien still had the power to unnerve me even after I’d seen him laughing with Peter and passed out drunk with Angelo and Devil. “What kind of proposition?”
“Come sit with me for a moment.” I glanced at Rachel, and she gave me a thumbs-up, so Angelo and I followed Lucien to a table.
“Angelo tells me you like to experiment, and you’ve created some excellent flavor combinations that might not work here because they’re too modern.”
I hadn’t expected him to talk to me about pastries. “That’s right.”
“He told me about the coconut cannoli and the apple custard topped with tarragon biscotti crumbles.”
Angelo had loved both of those. “I’d be happy to make them for you.”
Lucien smiled, seeming far more relaxed than usual. “I’d love that, but I’d also like you to make them for DiGiulios. I’d like to change up my dessert menu there, and I’d like you to help me.”
“Really?”
“I never joke about business.”
That was easy enough to believe. “I accept.”
“Excellent. I’ll have my assistant find a time when we can meet with my team from the restaurant to discuss your ideas. You can bring some samples.”
“That would be fantastic. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Lucien looked very satisfied.
Angelo grinned. “See? It was worth giving me all those leftovers.”
“I really thought you ate them all yourself.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t,” Lucien said.
The day went as smoothly as any opening could. We sold out of cannoli—except for the bag I had hidden away for Angelo—tiramisu, and several of our breads. Many of the customers told me how happy they were to have the bakery open again, and I even had some come back a second time. A few of them told me how proud my grandparents would have been of the way I’d fixed the place up. That made me happier than any of the sales.
When I got back home, Angelo insisted on showing me just how happy he was for me and almost made us late to dinner.
It was my first time at DiGiulio’s, and I was glad I had a chance to experience dining there before making samples for Lucien and his staff. The place was incredibly impressive. Everything I tasted was delicious, and the eggplant parmesan, one of my favorite dishes, was perfection. The idea of my desserts being served here made me want to get up and dance.
I glanced around the table. Everyone was smiling and laughing. There hadn’t been any major developments in the investigation of Sergio’s death. Angelo continued to reassure me we wouldn’t suffer any consequences, but there was an undercurrent of tension in the Marchesi household. It was nice to feel that tension ease tonight, even if it was only temporary. I had to believe that Lucien, Angelo, and Devil would find a way to put a swift end to the investigation that implicated them. They hadn’t gained the power they had without making connections in the police force.
The torta caprese I had for dessert was delicious, but I knew I could make it have a richer chocolate flavor. I was thrilled at the prospect of this partnership. As I forked up my last bite, I realized Angelo was staring at me.
“Ready to get out of here?” he asked in a low voice.
I brought my fork to my mouth and slid my lips slowly along it, pulling the last bit of rich dessert into my mouth. Then I licked the fork to make sure each tine was thoroughly clean. Angelo’s eyes widened as he watched me. I could feel other eyes on me too, but I didn’t care. Right then, I existed to please Angelo. When I was done, I laid the fork down and nodded to my man.
He pushed back his chair and stood. “I have a surprise for Cameron, and I don’t want to wait any longer to show it to him.”
Devil laughed. “Haven’t you given the boy all of that by now?”
Angelo smacked his cousin, and Lucien cleared his throat. “Enough.”
“I know what the surprise is,” Sabrina said. “You’re going to love it.”
Peter nodded as she spoke. “You will. Almost as much as Angelo loves your cannoli.”
Angelo huffed. “You love them too.”
“I’ve only been able to enjoy small bites I’ve manage to sneak from Lucien.” Lucien gave him a look that said he would retaliate later.
“I’ll bring you a bag of your own tomorrow,” I promised
Peter laughed. “I’ll be thinking of a hiding place.”