Page 51 of Christmas with the Mafia

Twenty-Five

REGINA

I am in designer heaven.Every room is better than the last, and as I follow Mrs. Ravera into the kitchen, I do a treble take.

I have never seen a room like it. It commands its own postal district, and my mouth drops as I gaze in awe at the huge space. Ivory cabinets, marble, and the trademark chandeliers. It positively gleams, and I’m guessing I could eat my food off the floor.

The neutral color is broken up with potted trees twinkling with fairy lights and a beautiful alcove with a huge dining table overlooking the ocean outside.

Tears mist my eyes, and I sniff, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Ravera, but your kitchen has moved me to tears.” I sniff, “I have never seen such a beautiful space.”

“Call me Sophia, Regina.”

I’m surprised when I turn and note the soft smile on her face.

“Mrs. Ravera is so formal, and I hated Giovanni’s mother, and it reminds me of her.”

“Wow, you hated your mother-in-law. Bad luck.”

She points to a bar stool, and I jump on it as she grasps two porcelain mugs from the cupboard. “I don’t know about you, but I could murder a coffee right now.”

“Same.” I smile, glad that Nico’s mom is human at least, and as she sets about her task, she says softly, “I am so happy Nico found you, Regina. To be honest, I had given up hope.”

“Because?” I say slowly, worried we may lose the game at the first hurdle.

“He’s always been a playboy, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

I shrug. “I guess it comes with being movie star handsome and loaded like Midas.”

Her gaze sharpens, and I add hastily, “To be truthful, his money doesn’t interest me. I’m used to living carefully, and I’m happy with that. All of this is a lot of responsibility, and it’s nice to close my door at the end of the day knowing I don’t have to answer to anyone.”

“Would that bother you? Answering to someone else.”

She studies me carefully, and I shrug. “Probably. I mean, I’m an independent businesswoman. I would hate to sacrifice that.”

She pushes a steaming mug of coffee toward me and sits elegantly on one of the stools.

“Tell me about your business.”

‘’Well–” I smile as she mentions my pride and joy. “I make up gift baskets online, and I love it. From sourcing the gifts, wrapping them prettily and sending them out with a note of thanks.”

“That’s amazing.” She smiles as she sips her coffee. “Where are your warehouses?”

“I don’t understand.” I cock my head to one side.

“Your distribution center, where you pack and send the baskets.”

“Oh no,” I giggle. “I work from home. I’m still building the business, and maybe one day I’ll enjoy that luxury, but it sounds a little scary to me, really.”

“I see.” Her lips twitch. “So you prefer to stay at home.”

“Oh yes. It’s a luxury I never imagined would be mine.”

“So when you marry Nico, will you continue with your business?”

I regard her with surprise. “Of course. I would hate to be a kept woman, Sophia.”

It strikes me that may be her and I backtrack quickly. “Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, if, um, that’s your thing.”