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“I should be able to get it done,” Dario agreed.

“You’re the best brother. Myfavoritebrother.”

“I’m going to tell LucaandGabe you said that.” Dario’s voice was teasing, but his eyes were full of love. “I’m happy to see you like this. You deserve it.”

“Not more fruit tossed at my head?”

Dario shrugged. “Can’t say you didn’t deserve alittleof that. But not all of it. You’re a good man, Marco. You run a solid kitchen.” He grinned. Marco heard what he wasn’t saying.

Marco, you are thirty-seven and a great chef who runs this restaurant brilliantly.

And this time it wasn’t a reminder, but simply appreciation.

“Thanks,” Marco said. “And now I have to go read the riot act to our sister.”

“Marcella? Why?”

“Because she is an interfering interferer who interferes,” Marco said resolutely.

He found her with Bea again, at the host stand, going over the reservations for the next few days.

There was a single rose in a slim glass vase tucked away in the corner, and Marco smiled. They’d never had flowers on the host stand before—his mother had always claimed it looked “cluttered”, but Marco had a feeling that Marcella had let this go because the flower was from Daniel.

Clearly, Andrew was giving him confidence. In more ways than one.

“I need to talk to you,” he told his sister.

Marcella looked up. “Does it have to be right now? I’m busy and?—”

“Yes,” Marco said firmly. “Right now.”

“Fine, fine. One minute,” she told Bea. “I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t worry,” Marco said. “My lecture shouldn’t take too long.”

Marcella rolled her eyes as Marco led her out the front door. “What on earth is this about?” she asked.

But now that he was looking for it, Marco could see the knowing gleam in her dark eyes. So like his own.

She knew exactly what she’d done.

“You know,” Marco said.

“I really don’t.”

Marco was tired of playing this game, though. Which was why he’d decided to confront her about it at all. “Andrew,” he said tightly.

“What about him? Is he not working out?”

“Cut the shit, Marcella.”

She huffed in annoyance.

“I know you knew all about Andrew’s crush on me. Funny you should recommendhimfor a position here, literally in the same breath as lecturing me about keeping my hands off the staff.”

“Which you’ve mostly always done.”

“Mostly,” Marco said dryly.