My uncle puts a Tanqueray and tonic in front of me and twists a lime on top. “Drink.”
“Do I look like I need it?”
“Yep.”
Vin, who is my father’s brother, has been a giant in my life, a second dad to me and my siblings. “Miguel is here.”
“He came himself?”
“He did.” When I would’ve gotten up to go find him, Vin stops me with a hand across the bar. “He’s pretending to be a customer, so don’t blow his cover.”
I relax into my seat, or at least I try to. “Yeah, right, okay.”
“Take a breath, Nico, before you have a stroke or a heart attack or something else that’ll make a mess of my restaurant.”
I give him a small grin and take a deep gulp of my drink. “Thanks for looking out for Sofia—and me.”
“Always.”
All my life, I’ve known our family is special, but I appreciate them more than ever tonight when my girlfriend and I have possibly brought trouble to their doorstep.
Rather than telling us to stay away, they’ve closed the circle around us both. I pity the fool who messes with the Giordinos or their friends. For the first time in hours, I exhale ever so slightly. My chest still feels tight with anxiety, but at least I can breathe a bit easier and enjoy watching Sofia work.
She’s a natural with the customers, laughing and talking with them in Spanish and English, which makes me ridiculously proud of her after knowing how hard she’s worked to perfect her English. She did that primarily to communicate more easily with English-speaking medical personnel when her son first became ill, but it comes in handy here, too, as Giordino’s attracts tourists from all over the country as well as locals who are more apt to speak Spanish.
Abuela has told me Sofia is a natural when it comes to learning English, whereas she’s an old bird who can’t be taught new tricks. But that’s not true. Abuela’s English is much better than it used to be, and I told her she needs to be proud of her accomplishments.
I love this place all the time, but especially on Saturday nights when the regulars come in, and on Sundays when the family gathers for brunch. I need to ask Sofia and Mateo to come with me tomorrow, although that would be another coming-out party for us as a couple. Not that I care about that, but she might not be ready.
I want so badly to talk to her about that and a million other things that’ll have to wait until later.
I check my watch. Five thirty.
This night is going to crawl by.