feds would probably take that one over.
“Perfect.” She patted my hand. “You call him and have a business lunch at Smiley’s.” She dug in her monstrous purse, past the always present wooden spoon in there, and pulled out a carefully handwritten index card decorated with roses at the top. “Here’s Tessa’s waitressing schedule for the next week. I had her give it to me over the phone and told her I planned to shop in town at some point and wanted to know when I should pop by.”
I accepted the notecard. “So you want Tessa to serve us?”
She nodded. “Of course. Tessa is a hard worker and is always smiling. Nicolo needs to see her in a natural environment. Plus, she has some hang-up that she’s just a waitress, and he’s a big-shot lawyer, and we need her to get over that. Actually doing her job will help.”
Nonna had insight into people that was both unique and no-nonsense. Even so, Tessa was not going to like this. “Nonna, I’m not sure about this.”
“I am.” Her chin firmed. “How about you call Nicolo right now? Put him on speakerphone.”
I hesitated. If Nick refused, there was no doubt in my mind that Nonna would jump in. “Um, okay.” I dialed his cell phone instead of the office phone.
“Basanelli,” he answered, his voice deep and distracted.
“Um, hey, Nick. It’s Anna.” I cleared my throat as my Nonna beamed. “I’ve ended up with a few clients, minor criminal charges, and wondered if we could meet for lunch and talk about them.”
Nick was silent for a minute. “I don’t have any misdemeanors on my docket. Who are the attorneys on the other side?”
I winced. “I, ah, don’t have the case files yet.”
Nonna frowned.
I held up a hand to keep her from ordering Nick around. “I also thought we could talk about my case.”
“You don’t have a case with me yet,” he said. “In addition, if you’re charged by my office, I’ve heard you are represented by counsel, so I could only talk with you if Clark were there. Is Clark coming to lunch?”
“No,” I said quietly. Okay. This was not going according to Nonna’s plan, and that was a mistake.
Nick audibly sighed. “I have a Zoom meeting with the governor in about ten minutes, Anna. What is going on?”
Think, darn it. “Fine. I thought we could just go to lunch and catch up.”
More silence. “Aren’t you dating Devlin?”
Considering my breasts still had whisker burn from that morning, yes. “I am. And I feel badly that you didn’t know about his job, although he has to go under again, so we have to keep that a secret.” Was that a good enough reason to go to lunch? Probably not, considering I’d just told Nick to keep Aiden’s ATF status a secret.
“Got it. I’ll keep that fact under my vest. I have to go, Anna. Talk soon.” Nick hung up.
Nonna scooted her chair closer. “I need your phone.” She flipped the office phone around and meticulously dialed in an Idaho number.
“Hello,” a soft female voice answered.
“Gerty? It’s Elda. Plan A was a bust. We have to go with Plan B,” Nonna said.
I sighed. “Hi, Mrs. Basanelli.” Nick’s grandma was a hoot. She was a sweet lady, but she also was Italian and knew my grandmother well. “I’m not sure you two should have plans. Maybe we should let Tessa and Nick figure things out themselves.” Unfortunately, getting them together had been my idea. I was totally at fault here.
Gerty snorted. “Those two would spend time being morons instead of giving us great-grandchildren. Plan B it is, Elda. See you tomorrow at noon.” She clicked off.
Nonna set the phone back in the cradle. “You tried, Anna. Don’t worry. This is just step one, and I’ll need your help later on.”
Guilt swamped me. “Nonna, I know this was my idea, but I didn’t think you’d get Gerty involved.”
“Gerty wants Nick married and she really wants great-grandchildren,” Nonna said reasonably. “Nick and his brothers need to settle down, and I see Tessa and Nick together. You’re brilliant, and it’s a relief to know that my match-making skills have been passed down to somebody.”
I weakly held up a hand in protest. “No. I shouldn’t be match-making. I wouldn’t like it if Tessa did that to me. Let’s reconsider this.”
“Too late,” Nonna said cheerfully.
I had no choice but to switch topics and grandchildren. Maybe I could get Nonna off Tessa and onto another one of the Albertini kids. I shouldn’t. I mean,