Lane reached for her door handle. “No, I’ll get that.” Gabe said as he got out and hurried around the SUV. He opened both the front and back passenger doors at the same time. Lane wasn’t sure what she had expected from this famous child of Hollywood, but this polite well-mannered young man was a pleasant surprise.
They walked into Papa’s and Dante Bellini met them at the door.
“Bella, Bella, bellisima.” He said as he reached out and held first Jess and then Lane, kissing each of them on both cheeks. “To what do we owe the pleasure of seeing you two days in a row?” He asked as he tucked Lane’s hand in the crook of his left arm.
“Papa, may I introduce Jess’s friend Gabe Greer? Gabe, this is Ben’s father, Dante Bellini.”
Dante Bellini was about the same height as Gabe’s six foot two inches.
“Il Sig. Bellini. Ho il piacere di incontrarvi.” Gabe said as he shook hands with the older man.
“Sono onorato di essere nel mio ristorante. Let me show you to your table.”
Jess looked at Gabe. Who knew he spoke Italian? “Always full of surprises, aren’t you Greer?” Jess whispered as she took Gabe’s arm. “We’re going to the Board Room. It’s a private dining room for the family and their guests.”
“Well, we are going to be in Italy for months. I thought I should bone up on the language before we go.” He answered her.
Of course, Jess was fluent in Italian, but it wasn’t something she wanted the Bellini and Luciano families to know. By speaking Italian to Papa, Gabe had just announced that there could be no private conversations in front of him, and she wanted to wring his neck for it. She’d been listening in on private Bellini-Luciano conversations for 2 years now because the family, except Joey, had no idea she understood what they were saying.
They were quickly seated at a table in the back corner. Olive oil was seasoned with herbs and warm bread was placed on the table as water glasses were filled.
Gabe was used to VIP treatment. Yet he knew this wasn’t for him and he had to say, this was better than the star treatment he usually got at every restaurant in L.A. The waiter asked Gabe if he’d like wine with lunch, and Gabe looked at Jess.
“Hey, they know I’m under age and that Mom’s pregnant. Just know if you say yes it’ll be some of the best wine you’ve ever tasted.”
Lane’s cell phone rang. She picked it up and stepped away from the table. “Ben?”
“Hey, Red. The Bambino just called, and I think he’s going to join you for lunch. As it turns out, I need to talk to Enzo, so I’m leaving the house now. I’ll see you in a few minutes. I love you.” Then, she was listening to dead air.
Lane turned to walk back to the table as the doors opened and Jamie and Roy Tanner entered the Board Room. She looked at the waiter and smiled. “My husband’s on his way too, so I guess we’re going to need a bigger table.”
The waiter smiled back. “It’s no trouble, Mrs. Bellini.” He looked at Gabe. “Your wine decision has just been made for you. Mr. Bellini’s table always gets his reserve.”
The waiter motioned them toward a table already set for eight. Jess hugged her brother and made introductions. “Gabe, this is my younger brother Jamie and this is Ben’s investigator, Roy Tanner.” She motioned toward Gabe. “This is Gabe Greer.” The two men shook hands with Gabe and they all sat at the new table.
The waiter quickly returned with fresh olive oil and bread, quickly followed by someone else who was filling water glasses.
“I just talked to Dad; he said he was working on prep for the Garcia trial and that he wouldn’t join us.”
Lane smiled. “I know, but apparently he needs to talk with Enzo and so he’s on his way.” She looked at Tanner. She knew that he, no doubt, knew about whatever Ben needed to discuss with the Bellini’s bartender. “So what have you two been up to today?”
“We talked to the detective in charge of the case this morning; and then we talked to Justin. Mr. Tanner wanted to see if he remembered anything.” Jamie reported excitedly.
Ben walked into the Board Room and after giving Lane a kiss on her cheek, he sat down. The waiter brought a bottle of wine to the table, poured for Ben and waited for Ben’s nod before filling Gabe’s glass. He neither poured for Tanner nor asked if he wanted any. Lane looked at the waiter, a bit confused.
“Mr. Tanner doesn’t drink during the work day, Mrs. Bellini.” The waiter explained.
Gabe looked at Jamie. “So, I hear we’ll be watching you play in the state championship on Friday. What position do you play?”
“I’m a tight end.” Jamie replied.
Conversation continued throughout lunch. The men talking sports; Lane and Jess talking about shopping. Gabe had decided to go back to the house with Ben and Jamie while Lane and Jess exercised Lane’s new Black Amex card.
Lane looked at Gabe. “Gabe, about tomorrow, I don’t know if Jess mentioned it, but we volunteer to serve lunch someplace on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tomorrow, we’re serving at a nursing home where my friend Kay volunteers. You’re welcome to join us, or you can stay home if you’d rather. I’m sure you won’t be alone.”
Gabe smiled. “I’d love to tag along if you’re sure it’s no problem.”
“I spoke to Kay after Jess called this morning and gave her a heads up that we might have two celebrities with us.” She reached over and patted Jess’s hand. “Kay checked with the activity director who said it would be fine.”
Gabe flashed the dimpled smile he was famous for around the world. “I’m an only child and I’m really looking forward to having a big family holiday. Thanks for letting me crash your party.”
Chapter 14
Jamie and Ben rode back to the house with Gabe in the rental SUV while Lane and Jess took the Escalade to Macy’s at Town Center. Lane thought it was closer to home and besides, the parking situation would probably be better than going to the Mall.
“Gabe seems nice,” Lane said as she drove.
Jess laughed. “You mean he’s not what you expected.”
Lane smiled. “I’m not sure what I expected, but you’re right. I guess that since he grew up in Hollywood with famous parents, I expected something else.”
Jess nodded. “I know what you mean. Even though his parents aren’t actors, they are sort of Hollywood royalty. But he wasn’t raised by nannies or housekeepers, his parents took him on every location and he says they were pretty strict, by Hollywood standards anyway.”
“So, he speaks Italian. That will come in handy for you while you’re over there.”
Jess smiled at her Mother. “Well, that sure came as a surprise, but I imagine it will be handy. Of course, he is quite a practical joker. Remember the story I told you about the practical joke he pulled on the set when we first met?”
Lane remembered the story; Gabe had come to the set the day the accident scene was scheduled for shooting, sporting two black eyes and stitches across his face, holding a newspaper screaming headlines saying he’d been the victim of an accident. Just as the producer and director began scrambling trying to decide what to do, Gabe had burst into laughter. Everyone had forgotten that his mother was a make-up artist with multiple awards including two Oscars, and an Emmy.
“So, I’ll probably need to keep a close eye on him. Who knows what he’ll say to people?” Only one person knew Jess spoke fluent Italian and much to her relief, since Gabe was fluent, no one else needed to find out. Although she knew if she told Gabe and explained why she wanted to keep it a secret, he wouldn’t say a word to anyone.
Lane parked the SUV and they walked the short distance to the store.
“I just need to find some pants and long tops that will get me through the next few weeks. My regular clothes are just too snug and I’m not big enough for maternity wear yet.”