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I think that s wonderful, Mom. I have a feeling I will love your Marco, even if I want to bring out
the claws and make sure he knows you re mine first, Ari admitted with a half grin and an
exaggeratedly furrowed brow.
He s a charmer. I think he ll have you under his spell within seconds.
I don t know, Mom. I m quite hard to charm, Ari told her with a twinkle in her eye.
The two of them stepped into the restaurant and the maître d glanced up and gave Sandra a
beaming smile.
How lovely to see you this evening, Ms. Harlow. You are more gorgeous each time you bless us
with your presence.
Ari s mouth dropped open as the man approached them, took her mother s hand, bringing it to his
lips and giving it a kiss, and then turned his twinkling eyes on Ari.
Oh, this must be the stunning daughter you ve spoken so fondly of. I can certainly see the family
resemblance. Welcome to Il Mio Cuore, he said as he took Ari s hand and kissed it as well.
Thank you, Gene; you are too kind, as usual, Sandra said with a light laugh.
Let me take you to your table. The world should wait on beautiful women, but never make them
wait, he said with a flourish as he gave Ari and her mom his full attention. He led them straight to a
private room glowing golden in candlelight and smelling of something savory and delicious wafting
to them from their table.
Ah, it looks as if Benny spotted you and has brought out something to keep your hunger at bay
until Marco joins you.
Whatever it is, it smells ambrosial. Tell Marco to take his time. We don t need him to rush right
out, Sandra offered.
How could I attend to anything else when I know such a beautiful woman is near?
Ari turned and her jaw dropped as she assessed the man standing behind them. Her mother giggled
as she rushed to him, and his arms wrapped around her as he pressed a sweet kiss on her lips.
The man was arrestingly handsome, standing about six feet tall and wearing a dark navy blue suit
that matched his eyes to perfection. His olive skin and salt-and-pepper hair gave him a refined
appearance. Age had been good to Marco, and the laugh lines around his eyes attested to a good sense
of humor.
I am being so rude; I apologize, he said as he turned to Ari, while leaving one hand clasped
around her mother s fingers. I am Marco Giannini, and it s such a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arianna
Harlow, he finished as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Ari wasn t used to men being so touchy or flirty, but she found herself standing there tongue-tied
and smiling. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to speak.
The pleasure is all mine. Please call me Ari.
A lovely name for an exquisite woman, Ari. And do call me Marco.
You are quite the flirt, Marco. I can see why my mother is fond of you, Ari said with a chuckle
as she sat in the chair he pulled out for her.
Ah, being around beautiful women brings out the romantic in me. I hope you don t mind if I order
for us. My chef has incredible talent and exquisite taste, and your mother hasn t found fault yet with
any of his dishes.
That would be perfect; thank you.
Marco helped her mother to her seat, and then the waiter stepped in and poured a fine Italian red
into their lovely crystal glasses. The evening started off quite pleasantly, and soon Ari was laughing
and enjoying herself immensely.
Ari, your mother tells me you re soon to graduate from Stanford.
I have one semester left, so I hope I ll be graduating soon, she said with a bit of an
uncomfortable laugh. She really didn t want to talk about her education.
What are your plans after you re finished?
Ari barely managed to hold back the sigh. I don t know, yet. My dream was always to get my
doctorate and work as a college professor in history, but things change& she trailed off. She hated
even speaking of that dream because it seemed further and further away with each day that passed.
Do you not want that anymore?
She knew he was just trying to get to know her, but she needed to change the subject.
Oh, life never stands still for any of us. Please, I want to hear the story of how you and my mother
met.
Her words did the trick Marco and her mother looked at each other with identical besotted
looks on their faces.
It s actually a bit of a Cinderella story& Sandra started saying with a wink and a sly giggle.
It s a complete modern fairy tale come true, Marco took over. I was down at the docks picking
fresh seafood for the day s specials when something shiny caught my eye. I turned and there was your
mother arguing with man over how fresh his fish was, and her bracelet was sparkling in the sun. I was
amused at first that this tiny woman was going head to head with Albert, who weighs at least three
hundred pounds. I know he s a gentle giant, so I wasn t worried, but Sandra didn t know that. Finally,
she turned and her heel caught in a gap on the dock, and she went flying into the water.
Oh my gosh, Mom. You never told me you hurt yourself!
I didn t get injured well, my pride got hurt a bit, but Marco dived in after me, and I was so
mesmerized, I couldn t take my eyes off him.
Luckily for me, your mother was wearing a white blouse that day, too, Marco said, wiggling his
eyebrows and rolling his eyes. Ari couldn t help bursting into laughter at the way these two
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