Tony burst out laughing as he placed the phone back down on the counter. Turning in question, Bella smiled at Tony when he said, “He’s coming over. Said he would be here in ten minutes before he hung up on me.”
Pushing all thoughts of last night out of her head, she went to work making breakfast for two of her favorite men.
Chapter Six
Moretti’s was packed.
The bar Bella’s brother owned was a city hotspot. Moretti’s was a tribute to their Italian heritage, focusing on setting the stage with excellent drinks, a small selection of food, and good music.
Sinatra crooned over the speakers as Bella and Liz pushed their way up to the rectangular bar in the center of the large, low-lit room, waving as the staff greeted them warmly. They watched Danny work behind the bar with ease, oozing charm to the customers he served. Glancing over, he did a double take at seeing them and let out an excited yell.
“Bells! Sweetheart, you’re here! Hey there, Lizzy doll!” He went to the end of the bar where they were standing, shooing away two of his regulars to make room for them to sit as he barked at them.
“Get the hell up and make room for my sisters.”
He turned to Bella and Liz with a wink.
Bella leaned over the bar top to press a kiss to Danny’s cheek, and he kissed her back, raising a hand to stroke her cheek. Bella rarely came to the bar without extreme coaxing on his part, and he was hopeful that this was a sign that she was finally healing. In turn he kissed Liz’s cheek in greeting and then reached under the bar to the refrigerator to get a bottle of their favorite white wine he kept on hand just for them, pouring them each a glass.
It was the first time out and about on the town for Bella and Liz since the night of the benefit. They gave their jackets to Tony to keep behind the bar, and Bella took a sip of the pale, golden liquid and hummed with pleasure as the crisp taste hit her tongue.
Liz had tried to talk her into going out during the week, even though she rarely did herself. Bella had told her what had happened, and Liz was both worried and excited for Bella. Liz hated seeing Bella pine away for Jason MacBain and didn’t want this one episode to set her back. She had encouraged Bella to reach out and contact him, but Bella said no. Liz knew better and had tried telling Bella that Jason hadn’t been watching over her for her brothers, but Bella didn’t believe her.
Dreams of him had been haunting her, taking the place of her regular nightmares. Liz offered to track down his phone number if she wanted, but Bella had declined, saying it would be too awkward after the way she had left.
Danny leaned a muscular arm on the bar, leaning in to talk to them. “Hey, why didn’t you drag Tony in with you tonight?”
“He’s coming by in a bit. Had some stuff to take care of before he came out.” Bella glanced around at all the people in the room. Friday nights always had them packing in. Months before a crowd like this sent her into a panic, but now she only had a feeling of pride for her brother that the bar was doing so well. Turning back to him, Bella raised an eyebrow.
“Why do I suspect that was your way for scolding me for coming out without my bodyguard?”
Danny held up his hands in mock surrender, hurrying away to take a drink order from someone down at the other end of the bar. Liz and Bella looked at each other, laughing together, knowing that he had been caught.
“The gallery has been packed all week. That article in the Trib with our picture seems to have people coming out in droves with a newfound appreciation of art,” Liz joked. “I don’t know how many men have come in asking if you were going to be around, if you worked there, too. Even old Mr. Wetherby had to crack a smile over the business we’ve been doing.”
Liz’s boss was like a hundred years old, cantankerous, short–tempered, and was going to outlive them all. He had hired Liz immediately when she had come back from New York with Bella. He liked to complain about everything, but Bella knew that under his gruff exterior he would do anything for Liz.
“Ha, you mean that stupid picture where you looked like a princess and I looked like your short sidekick? What did the caption say…‘Ms. Elizabeth Trenton, cochair of the Children’s Foundation and art dealer at Heritage Art Gallery and friend.’ That’s like being designated a plus one instead of an actual name. Not that I mind though, I will leave the publicity all to you. I’ve had enough of that crap.” Bella laughed off Liz’s look of concern.
“Are you ready for next week?” Liz asked, switching subjects quickly.
“Yeah, I am. I just…I’m nervous. I mean, I’ve never taught a class, you know? It’s different when I’m cooking, creating, doing my thing, and since everything that has happened…Well, I don’t know. I hope it all goes well.”