“Now we’re going to do something called ‘deglazing’ the pan.”
As I poured the chicken broth into the hot pan, it sizzled. Looking up, Drea stared expectantly at what I was doing. “Even though it’s called deglazing, it’s just a fancy way of saying pour some cool liquid into a hot pan.”
“Interesting.”
Urging her on, I said, “Now stir because you want to get all the bits off the bottom.”
Cocking her head at me, she asked, “Where did you learn to cook?”
“Our family nanny, Talia, taught all of my siblings. Usually on nights when our parents were away. Talia said that while being able to feed yourself is survival, feeding others is a way to humble yourself. More than anything, she didn’t want me and my siblings to grow up to be a bunch of selfish assholes.”
With a genuine smile, Drea said, “Talia sounds like our nanny, Vittoria. She’s always tried humanizing us.”
My chest ached when the smile faded from her face. I hated it whenever she appeared in pain.
“It makes me think of the psychology class I took this year. The whole nature vs. nurture thing. As hard as she tried to nurture Aurelio and Antonio, their nature won out.”
“Like Talia with my siblings and me, the cards were stacked against Vittoria. But she did a hell of a job with you.”
Drea’s cheeks warmed. “Thank you, Leo.”
With a wink, I added, “Like my sister, Caterina, Talia couldn’t overcome her sassy mouth just like Vittoria couldn’t with you.”
Jerking her chin at me, Drea said, “If Caterina had to deal with you for twenty-four-seven, I see why she turned out sassy.”
I threw back my head with a laugh. “Touche.”
As I reached past her to grab the shredded parmesan, she unexpectedly turned, causing her hand to graze my crotch. At my hiss, she once again dropped the spoon, sending sauce splattering over the two of us.
“Fuck,” she muttered as I grunted.
Desperate to move away from the awkwardness, I shoved the bag of Parmesan at her. “Sprinkle this on top and then add some more cream.” With a pointed look, I added, “Don’t drown it this time.”
“Yes, Chef Neretti,” she sassed.
Apparently, she wasn’t too mortified if she could still give me sass. While she poured the cream, I took up the pasta that had been boiling. After easing the salmon fillets back in the sauce, I nodded at Drea.
“Let’s eat.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN: DREA
As I watched Leo garnish our plates of Tuscan Salmon, I couldn't believe the wild twists and turns this day and night had taken. I’d been fitted for my wedding dress, almost had sex with the groom’s brother, and was about to eat a meal that said groom’s brother and I had prepared together.
While Leo took our plates over to the table, I grabbed a bottle of white wine out of the fridge along with an opener and two glasses.
After making my way over to him, I placed a glass in front of his plate. When he saw the label on the wine, he whistled. “That’s a hundred-dollar bottle of wine to pair with our cheap meal.”
Laughing, I replied, “What can I say? Like my cousin, I have expensive tastes.”
“Show me a mafia princess who doesn’t,” Leo mused.
“Maybe your sister.” When Leo’s brows rose in surprise, I said, “You know, from her being in the convent and giving up all her worldly possessions like nuns do.”
“She wasn’t a full fledged nun yet since she hadn’t taken her final vows.”
“I know. She reached out after your father’s funeral to thank me for being there for Rafe when she couldn’t.”
Although the Neretti brothers had attended, Caterina hadn’t. She was still recovering from her injuries.