“That’s huge. It seems like you’re both finally listening to each other. When my parents accepted my decision to go into the seminary, I felt like we got to rebuild our relationship. I’d been so resentful of them, and they were always pissed at me and my stubbornness. We reached a breaking point, and I didn’t even return home for Christmas two years ago.” His blue eyes held a gleam of sadness from the memory. “It sucked. It took me a few times to be the one to try and explain why it was important to me. They admitted they were trying to get me to live a life they wanted—which I actually understand. Hell, if I had kids, I’d probably bully them into what I felt was good for them. I’m just glad we broke through and communicated.”

“Yeah, same thing with my mom. Every time I brought up cooking, she’d wave it off like I was being silly. Said I hadn’t worked so hard to do something beneath me. But she’s finally listening to me and seems to really be interested in what I want. Enzo is good for her.”

“I had no idea they’d hooked up on the tour. Did you?”

“No! Not until the last leg when I noticed them on the bus. I’ve never seen my mom even have a date before. It’s like she’s been a nun since I was born.”

He laughed. “Is it weird for you?”

“No, I love it. God knows, I’ve craved a dad in my life forever. Or even some type of male role model—other than her and Nonni, I had no one else. It got lonely.”

“Yeah, me too. I always wanted a sibling, but I do have a bunch of cousins, so that helped. Though one of them was a bully and liked beating me up.”

“Did you pray for his soul?”

He winced. “Yeah, but first I gave him a black eye. Then I went to confession.”

We laughed and he squeezed my hand in a gesture that gave me goose bumps. How had I ever found him unattractive? His deep blue eyes and his smile and even his red hair seemed charming now. The freckles were just a part of who he was, and I liked to trail my finger across them like tracing a route on a map. And when he kissed me? His lips were so warm and firm, and I just wanted to kiss him for hours.

“I think you better stop looking at me like that.”

I jerked back in surprise, blushing. “Sorry.”

“No, Allegra, I like it. I’m just letting you know I’m about to kiss you right in Chef Bernini’s restaurant and he’ll probably yell at me for not concentrating on the food.”