"She's a little starstruck, Ricco."
"Even with that she managed to remember everything without writing it down. I watched her wait on some of the other tables. She'll be an asset here."
"I think so as well." Imeldia turned away with a small smile, weaving her way through the tables, stopping every few minutes to talk to someone.
"That was nice of you," Mariko acknowledged. "Many people in your position would have been really ugly to the waitress, maybe even gotten her fired."
Something crossed his face, disappointment perhaps, she couldn't quite catch it, and then his features were entirely expressionless. "Is that what you think of me? That I would use my status as a Ferraro to get a young girl fired?"
His face might not give anything away, but his voice held just enough of that disappointment she'd seen slip across his features seconds earlier. The lash made her wince. His gaze held hers, forcing her to face him with her accusation. She had thought that just from reading the tabloids. Investigating a Ferraro was difficult. No one knew anything at all personal about the family. Everything was speculation or clearly made up for headlines. Maybe the rumor about the Lacey twins wasn't real, either.
"I'm sorry if I've offended you. I merely thought it was sweet of you that you didn't do what others in your position might." She chose each word carefully. She found she hadn't liked upsetting him and she didn't want him to think she thought badly of him. That wouldn't fit with the image of a woman taking such an intimate job with him – at least she told herself that was the reason she was so cautious.
He sat back in his chair, his gaze on her face. Compelling. Intense. She'd never been under such open scrutiny. "How is it you aren't with a man? You're beautiful. You're intelligent. You've got an amazing voice. I could listen to you talk forever."
He flashed a small smile at her and it lit up his dark eyes for just a moment. The lines etched deep in his face softened and that ghost of a smile made her stomach do somersaults and a flutter started deep.
"Not that you talk much."
"You're very intimidating." She had resolved to stick as closely to the truth as possible. "I didn't expect that."
His eyebrow shot up. "I'm intimidating?"
"You know you are." She was certain of that.
He burst out laughing, and even that was low and sensual. The man couldn't do anything without sounding or looking sexy. He had a way of focusing so completely on her that he made her feel as if they were alone and she was the only woman in his world. That low tone he used created an intimacy between them. She hadn't expected to like him at all. More, she hadn't, not even for one moment, considered that she might be attracted to him – and she was. The moment their shadows connected, the attraction had been intense, and it continued to grow with every moment spent in his company.
Rita was back, this time looking determined. Color had stolen up her neck into her cheeks, but she gamely smiled at Mariko. "Have you had time to look over the menu?"
"I'll have the vegetarian omelet," Mariko said. "It looks delicious. No toast or hash browns."
"And you, Mr. Ferraro?" Rita asked, her chin up.
"The scramble for me, and please include the hash browns and toast." He smiled at the girl and she nearly dropped the pad she hadn't been writing on. "How is your brother doing?"
"He's fine. He makes very good grades. He's been bussing here a couple of days a week." Rita nearly stumbled over the words, but she got them out.
Ricco nodded his head. "That's good. Boys can get a little wild as I'm sure you know. You or your brother need anything, you let me know." He handed her a card. "In case of trouble. Keep that with you."
She moistened her lips and nodded several times, pocketing the little card that held just a single number on it. "Thanks. I really appreciate it." She hurried away, a huge smile on her face.
"You just made a conquest for life," Mariko pointed out.
"She's not alone in the world. The Biagis are really good people, and they love Rita and her brother."
"You knew about her before the hostess ever said a word, didn't you?" she asked curiously.
He nodded. "My family owns quite a few of the buildings in this area and we lease them to the businesses. We like to know who the prospective tenants are before we do business with them. The Biagis have been here nearly as long as my family. Their parents owned the café before them. Bernado and Leah Biagi took it over about ten years ago. They were best friends with Rita's parents. She was eleven when her parents were killed in a botched robbery at their home. She took it very hard."