A Package Deal

Surprise (Chapter 22)

Walking down the school corridor, Gabby and Lisa discussed the morning's team-building session that had just wrapped up. Pushing on the outside doors, both lifted their faces to the sun and sighed.

***

"Lisa, try this," Gabby said, handing a forkful of spaghetti to her friend.

"Wow! That is delicious! What restaurant is that from?" Lisa asked, savouring the flavours that excited her tastebuds.

"It's not from a restaurant. Ignazio cooked dinner last night. The meat sauce is a secret family recipe."

Twirling her fork into Gabby's lunch, Lisa demanded, "If you ever get the recipe, you have to promise to give it to me."

"He won't even give it to me," Gabby said, twirling some spaghetti for herself. "He says you have to be a Boschetto to get it."

"Well then, marry the man, get the recipe and give it to me!"

Laughing, Gabby said, "Maybe," though she silently promised the Nonna Boschetto's recipe to never share it with anyone.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh," Lisa exclaimed, grabbing her friend's arm. "Look who's coming!"

"Hello!"

"Hi, Mommy. We made you some lunch."

Hopping over to Lisa, Addie gave her a high-five and a hug.

"You did?" Gabby asked, tipping her head back and puckering her lips.

"Since I have never seen where you work," Ignazio said, kissing his lady, "We figured we would come and join you today."

"OK... I guess I'm going to eat two lunches," Gabby said, making room for Ignazio to sit beside her.

"No, you're not! I'll take this," Lisa said, snatching her best friend's pasta container.

"Ah, Ignazio... this is Lisa. Lisa, Ignazio."

"Ciao, Lisa," Ignazio said, giving her a signature, gorgeous grin. "I have heard so much about you. Now, when Gabby talks about you, I have a face to put to the name."

This was the first time Gabby had seen her friend tongue-tied, and she was finding great pleasure in seeing it. What was it about Italian men that caused intelligent women to become incapable of speech? Watching and listening as he put Lisa at ease, Gabby received her answer. Ignazio oozed charm, and he was a master flirt.

Chuckling, Gabby commented on Addilyn's dress.

"You look beautiful today, sweetheart."

"Nazio picked this out for me," she answered, running her hand down the front of her dress.

Wearing a light peach-coloured dress, grey leggings, and sparkly high-top runners, Addie's hair had two grey barrettes that held back a section of curls on each side of her head. It seemed a certain Italian man could also charm a stubborn little girl.

"So, what's for lunch?" Gabby asked, peeking inside the bag.

"I bought a tomato bocconcini salad from an authentic Italian grocery store near your house. Reminiscent of the markets back home, if I lived here, I would only shop there. It was great!"

Listening to him talk, Gabby watched his eyes sparkle and a permanent wide grin spread across his face. Describing where he went, like a child eager to be in a candy store, he chattered on a mile a minute, his hands moving as fast as his mouth. Pulling out a long loaf of bread, Ignazio said, "They just pulled this out of the oven when we arrived. It is my absolute favourite type of bread. I also bought salami, prosciutto, and mortadella, so please, dig in."