I move to place a hand on the small of Lizzy’s back as Bella holds her hand. Lizzy turns to look at me with surprise in her eyes. The doors to the elevator open and I lead them both out.
“Can we make that happen, Liz?”
Lizzy’s lips part as she searches my face. I liked the comfort my nonno had with calling her Liz during Christmas. I’ve been thinking about it since. I don’t know what makes me call her the nickname now.
“I think I can make something happen. I got the email with the list you want me to cover for today. I think I can fit your lunch in before she leaves,” she replies softly.
“Move anything you have to.”
“Lizzy, what’s on our agenda for today?” Bella asks.
I snort with laughter before I catch myself. Bella looks up at Lizzy expectantly.
However, I answer for her. “Today Lizzy will be going through the list of curricula I sent her to pick the best one, so she can start your homeschooling.”
I look at Lizzy and see she’s chewing on her lip. “I noticed on your resume; you have a master’s in education. You have a great skill set. I thought since she’ll be traveling with us, you wouldn’t mind, but if I’m asking too much, I can get a list of traveling tutors.”
“No, it’s fine. I can handle it. I saw the list, but I wasn’t sure what it was for at first. We’ll get right on it.”
“Thanks.” I almost lean in to peck her lips but bend to kiss Bella on her cheek instead. “Be a good girl for Lizzy. When you come back from Grandpa’s we’ll do something fun before we have to go away.”
Chapter 20
Forgot Who I am
Dante
I smile as I chew on the chicken I just dipped in one of the new sauce samples. Bella’s excited talk about her morning with Lizzy makes me chuckle. Instead of ordering lunch from somewhere random, I had it brought in from one of my restaurants to see if this sauce can hold up to our standards.
You always lose quality with mass production. However, it is my job to make sure we keep things up to Amore Domestic Standards. Our family’s flagship restaurant in Italy is the bar we set for all of our restaurants and products.
Dario has already sent over his notes and opinions on what needs to be changed. He’s right, these flavors are lacking.
Bella dips her nugget and takes a bite. She pulls a face instantly. I burst into more laughter. Lizzy quickly holds a napkin up to Bella’s mouth.
“I don’t like that one.”
“We have our first veto from the young Di Lorenzo.” I wink at Bella and toss the sauce into the bin. “Here, try this one. You might like it.”
I hand her the sauce that has piqued my interest the most so far. She dips another nugget after taking a sip of water. This time her eyes light up.
“Good?” I ask with a smile.
She nods and holds the cup of sauce out to Lizzy. “You have to try this one. It’s delicious.”
Lizzy dips her chicken into the sauce. I watch her sensual mouth as she chews. She bobs her head and covers her mouth. I’m disappointed to lose my view.
“I do like this one. It has a little kick to it, but not too much. It’s smoky too.”
“I was thinking the same thing. Come here, taste this one. I think it’s too much for Bella’s palette, but you might like it.”
I hold my fork out to Lizzy. I could have very likely handed over a little cup with the sauce, but I’m going with my gut. I want to see her mouth wrap around my fork.
She stands and leans over my desk. Like when she’s on her channel gaming, she doesn’t realize how sexy her simple gestures are. The only things that could pull my attention from those full lips are her perky, plump breasts. The top buttons of her blouse are open and reveals just enough to commit me to this chair until I can calm this mass growing in my pants.
“Mmm,” she moans. “That one is amazing.”
A throat clears, pulling my attention from the view. Lizzy straightens and turns. I look to Bella, who’s happily finishing her nuggets. When I do look to the door, I find my former father-in-law.
The scowl on his face says it all. I pick up my napkin to clean my mouth, then toss it onto my finished lunch. I stand and smooth a hand down my tie.
“Lizzy, this is Mr. Kumar, Bella’s grandfather. Can you take Bella to get her things?”
“No problem. Come on, Bella.”
“Wait, I’m not finished.” Bella pouts.
Lizzy goes to collect the rest of Bella’s food and takes her hand. “Come on, you can finish at our desk.”
“Okay,” Bella whines. “Hey, Grandpa,” she says as they walk by him to leave out.