“Leo,” Tessa said, “come with me and see how they’ve planted that beautiful flower bed.” She pointed to the edge of the outdoor seating area. “I was thinking maybe we could do something like that on your new restaurant patio.” She turned to Gia and hitched her thumb toward the flowers. “We’ll be right back.”

She literally dragged Leo to the flower bed, where some wilted petunias baked in the sun.

“Nice flowers,” he said drily. “Why are you encouraging my sister to talk to a boy?”

She shook her head. “Because she’s seventeen, and that’s what normal seventeen-year-olds do.”

“Not under my watch. No dating till she’s…thirty. At least.” He quirked a smile.

She hoped that meant he was kidding—but she wasn’t really sure.

Tessa crossed her arms. “Leo. Do not pull that big-Italian-brother thing with her. Gia’s shy and quiet, and she’s, well, missing out. Push her a little to let her have a life.”

“My sister has the top GPA in her class. She’s headed for great things. Why let some guy derail that?”

“He’s just a friend.”

He shot her a skeptical look. “Also, she’s the top contender for the candle factory scholarship,” he said. “I know she wouldn’t let anything get in the way of winning. I mean, no one would, right?”

She searched his eyes. Was he talking about her? Of course not. Because he couldn’t know anything about that, could he? “Leo, your sister’s a great kid.”

“I know.” He beamed a look of pride. “She’s amazing,”

“Maybe a little too amazing.” She chose her words carefully. “Also, she’s not really a kid anymore. She’s almost eighteen and ready for college.”

That got his attention. “What do you mean by too amazing?”

“What I mean is, she’s got things a little too figured out.”

He shrugged. “I tried to talk to her about the college thing. But she’s so assured; it’s hard to change her mind. I think you’re over-reading.”

“No, Leo.” She grabbed his arm, which got his attention. “I have a gut feeling about this. I think that she feels an obligation to take care of your father. Promise me you’ll talk more with her about this.”

He searched her eyes for a long time. “Okay. If you feel that strongly, I will.” After a pause, he said, “Look, about last night. I want you to know it won’t happen again.”

Oh, the kisses. As if she could forget them for more than a minute. “Right,” she said. “Absolutely in agreement. A huge mistake.” Embarrassing, never to be repeated, but…so, so good. In all the wrong ways, of course.

“Okay, great.” He put his hands in his jeans pockets. “No more to be said, then.”

“Is it still guys’ night tonight?” She was relieved to change the subject.