Untamed Hearts

9 - The Tallerico Curse

IX. The Tallerico Curse

Angelo Tallerico

  "You're way in over your head, Tallerico," remarked Gino on Saturday at the joint.

"Shut up," I grinned. I hadn't been able to stop smiling since last night. What's that saying; True Love never dies? Ha! I felt like a corny idiot and why not? I believed I had earned the right.

"It's that girl, ain't it?" I looked at Gino and he gave me a knowing smile.

"What girl?" I asked in surprise.

"That pretty up-town chick that came in the other day," he winked at me, "I saw the way you were looking at her."

"I don't know what you're talking about Gino DiMaggio," I saw but I couldn't help the huge grin that colored my face.

Even Calogero who walked by noticed and asked his son, "Why the hell is Angelo grinning like that?"

"What other reason does a guy grin as wide as the Mississippi, Dad? A girl!" answered Gino.

Calogero slapped my back, "Ahhhhhhh! You got your britches in a bunch?"

"My britches are not in a bunch," I told them simply.

"You think because I'm old I don't remember what it's like to get my britches in a bunch over a beautiful woman?" he said loudly then waved a hand, "bunched britches, hot haunches, lurching loins call it whatever you want," he grinned broadly, "I know what it means. Is it that nice looking honey that drove in here the other day?"

"Who? Taralynn?" I shook my head, "Nah. Tara's just a friend."

"Too bad. She looked like a nice girl," he commented then asked , "She pretty?"

I grinned earning an elbow in the side from Gino. "She's gorgeous."

"Is she Italian?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not every pretty girl is Italian, Calogero. And to answer your question,

No she's not."

He shrugged, "I'm prejudiced. Can't blame me though." He walked off leaving me and Gino alone.

"She must be something if she caught your eye," said Gino, "I saw how hot you were for her. It was obvious my man, but it looked like there was tension. I'm guessing the boyfriend complicated things."

"Wow. Two points to Dr. Phil," I replied dryly.

He just smiled. "I notice things Angelo. I mean have you looked in the mirror lately. Girls come in here to steal a look at the hot waiter."

"I thought they came to watch you," I retorted.

"That too," he agreed, "I mean aside from me, you're the next best looking fella around these parts."