“Well, we’ve covered work, school and your personal life. Now you get to hear about something new in my life.” Sandra’s tears faded and she practically glowed.
Ari looked at her quizzically. Her mother was such a person of routine; what could she possibly say?
“I’ve started dating a really wonderful man.”
“What?” Ari didn’t mean to stand there with her mouth hanging open, but in the entire time she was growing up, she didn’t remember her mother dating once.
“Hey, sweetheart, I still have needs…”
“Please, I’m begging you,” Ari gasped in horror at the visual of her mother’s needs.
“OK. I’ll take mercy on you, but I have been seeing a wonderful man for the past month, and a woman my age doesn’t want to waste too much time, so I’m giving you a heads up.”
“What does he do?” Ari asked with suspicion. Her mom had been through enough — she didn’t want some man taking advantage of her.
“He owns a beautiful restaurant downtown.”
“Not to sound shallow, but is he financially secure? I don’t want you being used for your flourishing floral shop,” Ari joked. Her mother was doing well with her shop, but because of all the medical expenses, it would be a while before she had a decent amount in savings again. Ari was trying to work on that. She hated owing Rafe, even if her mom didn’t know about it; she wanted him paid off and her mother’s life back in her own hands.
“Actually, his place is very successful. He has a large celebrity following. To tell you the truth, I normally would never eat in a place like his, but the food is mouthwatering. I’ve never had such incredible pasta in my life.”
“He’s not a snob, is he?”
“No, he’s a wonderful man. I would like to take you to dinner to meet him. If we get done early enough, we could go tonight.”
Ari wasn’t eager to go, but the excitement shining in her mother’s eyes prevented her from refusing. Her own eyes took on a steely glint — this man had better be treating Mom like the Queen of England or he’s toast. Nothing but the best for her mother.
“If we get done in time, then, I’d be pleased to have dinner with you and this man,” Ari said with a forced brightness.
She found reason to regret her words as her mother kicked their pace into overdrive, and Ari felt as if her hands were going to fall off. Still, as she looked at her mother’s youthful joy, she couldn’t be too negative. This man was obviously giving her mom the happiness she deserved.
“I can’t believe how nervous I am,” Sandra said as the two of them approached the exclusive Italian restaurant.
“Wow, Mom, you are really glowing,” Ari commented, almost agape at the sight. Her mother was beautiful in her long blue dress and with her hair put up. This new relationship seemed to be knocking years off her life.
Sandra looked young and almost carefree. Ari had to admit that she’d never seen her happier. But she’d never been forced to share her mother before, and a selfish part of her wanted to stake her claim, tell this man he had no rights to her mom. It was stupid, but she knew she would have battle this absurd surge of emotions.
“Marco makes me feel like a teenager again,” Sandra said with a giggle.
“Then I’m very happy for you, though perhaps the tiniest bit jealous,” Ari admitted with a smile.
“Ari, you should know that no one ever will or ever could replace you. You’re my little girl, no matter how old you become. I never had a desire to date while you were growing up, because you were my first priority and I didn’t want to risk your being hurt. After your father… Well, let’s just say, it was hard for me to trust that a relationship would last, and I didn’t want to put you through the turmoil of having men coming and going from your life. I still wasn’t looking for a man, but I met Marco and it just…well, it just sort of happened.”
“I think that’s wonderful, Mom. I have a feeling I will love your Marco, even if I want to bring out the claws and make sure he knows you’re mine first,” Ari admitted with a half grin and an exaggeratedly furrowed brow.
“He’s a charmer. I think he’ll have you under his spell within seconds.”
“I don’t know, Mom. I’m quite hard to charm,” Ari told her with a twinkle in her eye.
The two of them stepped into the restaurant and the maître d’ glanced up and gave Sandra a beaming smile.
“How lovely to see you this evening, Ms. Harlow. You are more gorgeous each time you bless us with your presence.”
Ari’s mouth dropped open as the man approached them, took her mother’s hand, bringing it to his lips and giving it a kiss, and then turned his twinkling eyes on Ari.
“Oh, this must be the stunning daughter you’ve spoken so fondly of. I can certainly see the family resemblance. Welcome to Il Mio Cuore,” he said as he took Ari’s hand and kissed it as well.
“Thank you, Gene; you are too kind, as usual,” Sandra said with a light laugh.
“Let me take you to your table. The world should wait on beautiful women, but never make them wait,” he said with a flourish as he gave Ari and her mom his full attention. He led them straight to a private room glowing golden in candlelight and smelling of something savory and delicious wafting to them from their table.
“Ah, it looks as if Benny spotted you and has brought out something to keep your hunger at bay until Marco joins you.”
“Whatever it is, it smells ambrosial. Tell Marco to take his time. We don’t need him to rush right out,” Sandra offered.
“How could I attend to anything else when I know such a beautiful woman is near?”
Ari turned and her jaw dropped as she assessed the man standing behind them. Her mother giggled as she rushed to him, and his arms wrapped around her as he pressed a sweet kiss on her lips.
The man was arrestingly handsome, standing about six feet tall and wearing a dark navy blue suit that matched his eyes to perfection. His olive skin and salt-and-pepper hair gave him a refined appearance. Age had been good to Marco, and the laugh lines around his eyes attested to a good sense of humor.
“I am being so rude; I apologize,” he said as he turned to Ari, while leaving one hand clasped around her mother’s fingers. “I am Marco Giannini, and it’s such a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arianna Harlow,” he finished as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.