Soft opera music played in the background, reminding him of dinner with his nonno and nonna.

“If the food tastes like it smells, I’ll be in heaven.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be hearin’ the angels singing.” Nico took a hunk of bread and dipped it in olive oil. “Have some.”

“I don’t usually eat bread.”

Now it was Nico’s turn to stare. “What? Who doesn’t eat bread, especially good bread like this? Wait a sec. You aren’t one of those carb counters, are you?”

Ford turned red. “Uh, I mean, I try not to have too many carbs, and I eat mostly protein and veggies.”

“Marone a mia,” he muttered. “Listen, Doc. Food is like sex. You can never have too much if it’s good. A little bread isn’t gonna hurt you. Go ahead,” he urged. “And make sure you dip it in the oil.”

Cheeks adorably pink, Ford did as told.

“It’s delicious. I guess now that I’m not working full-time in the practice, I can work out more. I do yoga, but maybe it’s time to try other things.”

Nico thought Ford was pretty damn perfect as is and forced his dirty mind away from thinking of him in skimpy, tight pants. “I’m sure there’s a gym in your building, and a pool. Or you can bike, do all kinds of shit like that. You live in Florida.”

Teresa plunked on the table two platters filled with their appetizers. “Florida? Who lives there? You, Ford?”

“Yes. Fort Lauderdale.”

She eyed Nico, then Ford. “What kinda doctor are you again?”

“A dermatologist.”

“Yeah?” She studied Ford. “You do Botox? ‘Cause your face is smooth like a baby.”

Ford smothered a laugh, and Nico huffed. “Jesus, Tre.”

Luckily, Ford took it in good humor. “No. I don’t. But I have plenty of patients who want it, and fillers. People are obsessed with looking young. I prefer to take care of myself and age gracefully. You’re young and have beautiful skin. You obviously take care of it.”

She flipped her hair. “Yeah. I drink lotsa water, no tanning like these dummies do, and tons of moisturizer. But anyways, how’d you two meet?”

“Smooth, Tre.” Nico dipped a crunchy calamari in the spicy red sauce. “I mean, nothing like the third degree while our food’s getting cold.”

She glared at him. “You gonna bring a guy here and think we don’t have questions? You stupid or somethin’?”

Ford laughed out loud. “I took one of Nico’s tours a month or so ago and left my wallet on the bus. He returned it, and we happened to run into each other later that evening. We talked, and when I came back for a conference this week, I surprised him by taking another tour.”

“Yeah? Happened to run into each other? In New York City?” Her pretty brown eyes narrowed. “That’s a good one.”

Nico could see she had her doubts. “It’s the truth.”

“One of them funny coincidences, huh? Okay, I’ll buy it. Well, eat up. Here comes Joey with the wine.”

“Jesus, it’s like having dinner onstage,” Nico grumbled. He should’ve known this would happen. He’d never get a chance to talk to Ford one on one.

“Hey, Nico?” Ford took a baked clam. “Don’t stress. We have all night.”

They shared a smile, and he relaxed. What was he so nervous about? This was his life, take it or leave it.