Three

Three

            The nicest dress I had was a black, strappy dress. The same one that I’d worn to the welcome back party that I had gone to freshman year. The one that Cesare had noticed me in, and had so much fun tearing it off. The reason for my biggest mistake ever. I’d had to sew it back together when I got home. I had high-heeled shoes that I’d worn to my dads funeral years ago. I put on some makeup, and then grabbed my purse and cell phone.

            I met Laura in the living room of the apartment. She was wearing a red dress, with gold earrings, and Manolo Blahnik shoes. Her purse was a Saint Laurent, black, with a gold strap on her shoulder. Her blond hair was slightly curled and she had a red bow holding back some of her hair. She looked too pretty for words.

            I was aware of how simple I looked.

            Laura, to her credit, only smiled at me and looped her arm through mine. “Come on. Let’s go. I already told the boys. They’ve got the car ready for us.”

            I knew “the boys” meant that Giovani and Billy.

            “Alright, sounds good.”

            We headed out. Laura blared music and there was a divider between us and “the boys”. If they minded her blaring pop music, they didn’t say anything. “So,” said Laura, “you’ve really never had a boyfriend?”

            I nodded. “It’s not something I’ve really thought a lot about.”

            Laura smiled. “Well, we’re going to have to change that. College isn’t just about our future. It’s also about making mistakes. You seem like someone that needs to have a few of those.”

            Oh, if only she knew. But I couldn’t tell her. I didn’t want to think what would happen if Cesare found out the secret that I’d kept from him. I knew the Luna family. I knew they were just as dangerous as mine. I had no way of knowing what he would have done if I’d told him the truth about our connection. Kill me, probably.

            “If you say so,” I said.

            Laura smiled. “I do say so. Oh, you should meet Galileo. You’ll like him. He’s the sweet brother.”

            I laughed. “I’m not really looking to date. I’m trying to keep my nose clean.”

            The car pulled to a stop. “Oh, come on,” said Laura.

            The door opened, and a valet helped us out of the car. They knew Laura by name and they pushed my hand away when I tried to slip them a tip. Laura pulled me into the restaurant. Inside, it was dimly lit, and the ceiling was made to look like the sky.

            “Wow!” I breathed.

            Laura smiled at me. “This was my fathers wedding gift to my mother. She told him when they first met, she’d only go out with him if he bought her the stars. He got her a diamond instead but he never forgot the star thing.”

            “Oh, that’s sweet.”

            “Ah, Laura.” The hostess smiled at her. “Good to have you back home from that fancy school of yours. Who is your friend?”

            “Gianna, this is Emmilia,” she said, “she’s my roommate at the new college I started at this year.”

            “Oh, hi!” the hostess smiled. “Did she try setting you up with someone yet?”

            “Uh, no,” I said, “but I’m pretty much a homebody. This is the first time we’ve really gotten a chance to hang out.”

            “Don’t worry, she will,” said Gianna, “and it will probably be one of her brothers.”

            Laura sighed. “Don’t worry. I gave up on the idea of you and Galileo. You two are a lost cause.”

            I glanced at Laura. “Please tell me you’re not trying to set me up with someone.”

            Laura shook her head. “No, I haven’t quite figured you out yet. That’s why I wanted us to hang out. Once I know you better, just you wait. Then the matchmaking begins!’

            I sighed. “I don’t need to be set up you know. Anyway, you probably shouldn’t even try.”

            She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

            “I told you, remember. If my uncle found out I was fooling around when he’s planning on marrying me off…”  

            Laura made a face. “It wouldn’t be good?”  

            “Yeah,” I said, “Exactly. I can’t exactly date. He’s got eyes and ears everywhere.”

            Laura let out a low whistle. “That’s terrible.”  

            I hesitated. “You know what your family is like?”

            Laura raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

            “My uncle is kind of like that. He only does business in Italy though. He’s my father’s brother, but my Papa’s been dead for years.”  

            She stared at me. “But I don’t recognize your last name. In my family’s line of work, everyone knows everybody.”

            “I have my mothers,” I explained, “my dad thought it was safer.”

            “Oh. I wonder if my father knows your family then.”

            “Maybe,” I said, but I didn’t dare tell Laura the name of my uncle. If the wrong person figured out which mob family I was connected to, it wouldn’t be good. Cesare couldn’t figure out who I was.

            Not before I graduated.

            Not before I had a chance to get a job, get money, and get away from everything to prove my uncle wrong. I wasn’t the screw up he thought I was. I could make my own way without him.

            Laura raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to tell me who he is, are you?”

            I sighed. “It’s best for everyone if I just stay Emmilia Marino.”

            “Little sister!” a voice boomed then. I glanced up, and saw Galileo Luna standing in front of us.

            Laura smiled and got up to hug her brother. “Hi. Shouldn’t you be working?”

            “I am,” he said, “but I had to come out and greet our most important guest. Gianna told me you were here. This is the roommate?”

            His brown eyes studied my face. I could tell he was trying to place me, the same way that Cesare had when he’d met me.

            Please, I thought, please, please, don’t remember me.

            “Yeah. I’m Emmilia Mariano.”

            “Nice to meet you.” He took my hand and kissed the top of it. “I’m Galileo Luna. The cuter brother.”

            “He loses no time with the flirting,” said Laura, “hey, do you think that you can get us some of that Tiramisu that you’re so good at making?”

            Galileo smiled. “I already saved you two slices. I got your texts that you were coming. You use way too many smiley faces.”

            Laura laughed. “Thanks.”

            “Can I join you?” a voice asked.       

            A shadow fell over the table. Laura looked up and winced when she saw her other brother. “Cesare, what are you doing here?”

            “Galileo texted me,” he said, and he slid into the seat next to me. “I thought it would be a good chance to get to know your new roommate.”

            His shoulders brushed mine. He was wearing an Armani suit, a spicey cologne, and the whole thing left me blushing.

            I hated him.

            Laura looked from him to me. “Are you okay with that, Emmilia?”

            I sighed. “Sure. I don’t see why not?”

            Cesare grinned. He turned to his brother. “Excellent. Galileo, why don’t you get Laura’s favorite, and Emmilia the Caprese salad with the Eggplant Parmesan?”

            I opened my mouth to object, but Laura shook her head silently.

 Galileo nodded. “Excellent choices. I’ll have your waiter be out soon.”

            At that point, the music started. I hadn’t even noticed the live band or the dance floor when we first came in. Cesare held out his hand. “Dance with me.”

            It wasn’t a question. It was an order.