Page 136 of Forgotten Sacrifice

“Hey, Valentina. Yes, in Surf City.”

“What’s the vibe?”

“Old-school meets modern Italian. Upscale, but not stuffy.”

“Love it. Who’s handling your launch?”

“I haven’t gotten that far yet,” I admit.

“You need influencers. You need food critics. You need local politicians and media personalities,” she rattles off. “You need all theitpeople there, so everyone else will want to be there. Tell me, what’s your plan?”

“Uh…”

“Say no more. I’m on it. What’s the name of your restaurant?”

“Ristorante Luna.”

“Named after his girl,” Nonna says with a big grin.

“She’s not my—”Little anything.My chest aches where my heart used to be.

“Wait, you’ve met her?” Valentina says.

Nonna nods. “Nice Italian girl.”

“Why haven’t I met her?” Valentina demands.

Nonna waves her hand. “Too busy fussing with Sammy.”

“Ugh, don’t get me started on that man. Why is he here all the freaking time?”

“Nonna’s cooking, of course,” Sam says from the door.

“Sammy, you hungry? Come sit.” Nonna doesn’t wait for his reply. “Valentina, get Sammy a cup of coffee.”

Valentina rolls her eyes dramatically. “He knows where the coffee maker is.”

“But I can’t make all those fancy foam designs like you,” Sam says.

“See, help the man,” Nonna interjects. “You want cookies?”

He flashes a winning smile. “Yes, please.”

“And get him some cookies. Vince, now we roll out the pasta,” she tells me.

I grab a rolling pin and get to work. I’ll be doing this step with a pasta maker at the restaurant, but I like knowing Nonna’s method if I’m ever in a pinch.

“Here you are, Sammy,” Valentina announces, presenting him with a plate of cookies covered in a powder sugar design—the outline of her hand flipping a bird.

I choke down a laugh.

“Valentina,” Nonna chides.

“Forgot my coffee,” Sam says unfazed, taking a bite of cookie.

Valentina smiles sweetly. “Coming right up.”

She turns on the espresso machine, her back to us as she works.