Mom stiffened but glanced down at her plate again. I held back a chuckle at the way Nonni scolded her. “I don’t think I like it.”

I tried a bite and focused on the taste and textures. She watched me, nervously nibbling on her lower lip, like I’d blow up in front of her from one bite. “It’s excellent,” I said. “Tender, but thick enough to hold the flavor. Meat cut too thin can fall apart on your tongue and taste flat.” My hero was Anthony Bourdain, and I loved the way he was fearless with food. I’d sworn to be like that and cried when he died. The culinary world wasn’t as good without him.

Mom stared at me with surprise. “Hmm. Okay, I’ll try.” She put a piece in her mouth and chewed slowly. “It’s pretty good,” she finally said.

Nonni nodded in approval, then lowered her head and spoke in a hushed whisper. “I like Ian.”

I shot her a warning look. “Nonni, it’s not like that. He’s very nice but not my type.”

One hand waved in the air in her typical fashion. My grandmother always told me if her hands weren’t available, no words would be able to pass her lips. “Types? Ridiculous. It is about a boy’s soul—not his looks.”

I sighed and kept my voice low. “I’m sorry, but I don’t find him attractive. Isn’t physical chemistry also important?”

“Yes, there are things such as love at first sight, but there are many roads to love. A boy who makes you laugh or looks at you with respect. One who holds your hand when you’re scared—those are the things that resonate and the attraction grows. These are the surprises in life that keep us paying attention.”

“You said Grandpa had a cute butt,” I teased. “Nothing about his sense of humor.”

“Oh, shush, you are so bad. I regret telling you my secrets.” But her eyes filled with laughter. “You are probably too young. Too caught up in the bad boys who will hurt you. Just never mistake such a thing for passion, Allegra. Are you still texting this boy who smokes weed?”

I avoided her probing gaze. I didn’t want to lie. “Yes, but everyone smokes weed, Nonni. Some of my friends have heroin or cocaine parties—it’s just more acceptable because they have money.”

“But you are too smart to ruin your life for a fake substance. Your mother agreed to come on this trip because she is terrified you will make a mistake you cannot come back from. Drugs ruin you.”

I glanced over, but my mother was talking with Hana. “I think Mom came because she almost lost a big account and couldn’t handle the failure. This wasn’t for me.”