I unfolded it. “Kiss the cook?” I said doubtfully, and she laughed.
“I suspect it’s more of a suggestion than an instruction. I wouldn’t worry too much.”
“What was that about kissing the cook?” Nico wrapped his arms around me from behind then dropped a kiss into my hair. “Do you guys need any help in here?”
Marisol surveyed the room for a moment and appeared to check things off in her head. “No, I think we’ve got it all. You should go and catch up with Harley. She really enjoyed seeing you last time. Hasn’t stopped talking about you since.”
I wanted to beg him not to go. Not because his mom didn’t seem nice, but because what if I messed up our whole dinner? Really, expecting me to carry on a conversation and stir her homemade sauce seemed like just too much.
“Nico likes meatballs,” she said as I stirred, “but a basic meat-based sauce is so much more versatile when I have leftovers.”
I nodded like I understood her dilemma.
“He said you’re working with him at the moment.”
I nodded again. “Yes. It’s quite a privilege to see the way he practices.”
“I bet.” Her eyes lit up. “He’s always had such a way with people, and an inner moral compass that was… well, overdeveloped for much of his youth, to be honest.” She laughed. “Like most children, he saw the world in black and white. I’m glad he sees the gray now.”
“He’s very caring,” I said and turned the heat down gain as big bubbles rolled through the sauce. “The most important thing he’s taught me is to never lose sight of the people behind the cases.”
“That’s my boy,” she murmured, and her eyes glazed for a moment. “He always remembers the people in the room.” She stopped and her tone became almost conspiratorial as she continued. “He has a very big heart. I hope anyone who loves him doesn’t forget that.”
I took it as a warning, and my respect for her grew even as I fell in love with her a little. This woman had created Nico and instilled him with his values. Everything I respected about Nico, I’d find in her too, and her love for her son only reinforced my feelings for him.
“And, Jamie?” She dropped her voice, the tone more serious.
Shit. That last bit hadn’t been the warning. The real warning was still to come. I glanced up and caught her eye, bracing myself for whatever she might say next.
“He’s never brought anyone home before. I get the feeling this is very serious for Nico. When his dad died, he seemed to…” She hesitated and shrugged. “I don’t know… It was like he thought he could be hurt that way again. I don’t want to say he has commitment issues—” She bit her lip as she seemed to search for the right words. “But he seems to invest a lot of himself in his clients rather than trying to cultivate something for himself. I suppose he understands better than some how quickly that can all be ripped away.”
I nodded, my breath trapped in my chest, as I stirred. Fuck, this would be the best stirred Italian meat sauce in Connecticut.
“I suppose I’m trying to say you’re a first. I think that makes you very special. You’re also very lucky—my son’s a special guy.”
I nodded again, hearing the unspoken words—so don’t hurt him. “I understand,” I croaked out.
“Good.” She nodded too, apparently satisfied.
As I followed her instructions and we prepared the meal together, our chatter became easier and more casual, and she seemed satisfied her warning had been received and understood. She smiled easily as we spoke, and as she shared her joy of her son, more of her love for Nico spilled into my heart.
The meal passed easily, and I loved seeing Nico in an environment where he wasn’t working, wasn’t guarded, and someone else could demonstrate love for him. The new side to him the dinner revealed deepened my appreciation of him.
Finally, when the evening had ended and Marisol showed me from the house, she handed me my coat and smiled at me. “Thank you for coming tonight, Jamie, and running our family gauntlet. I hope I’ll see you again soon.” She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly. “I’ll happily welcome you into our family on a more permanent basis.”
Nico closed his front door behind us and took off his shoes before dropping them to the floor of the entrance hall