"You will not choose, I will choose for you!" was Giovanni's declaration once he had them seated to his satisfaction.
What followed was a flood of Italian dishes that made Christine's head spin. As she sampled yet another delicacy that had been set before her, she snuggled up to Rossi and murmured, "This is all spectacular, but I still think your pasta sauce is best."
Rossi beamed at her like a proud parent.
"By the way," he said reaching into his pocket. "I just happened to find this hanging around a jewelry store looking for a good home." He handed her a velvet box.
Christine looked at him in amazement. "Dave, when did you have time to get this?"
"While you were trying on the third – no fourth – pair of shoes," Rossi laughed. "There is a jewelry store further down that strip mall, and this was in the window."
Christine carefully opened the box, and then held it up admire the contents. "A brushed silver pendent necklace? And, is that an amethyst in the center of the flower? Dave, this is beautiful! Thank You!"
She rewarded him with a hug, and then took the necklace out of the box and held it out to him. "Please, put it on me?"
Rossi carefully draped the chain around her neck and fastened it.
"And," he smiled at her, "This morning I spoke with Garcia. She is going to find out what we need to do to get your belongings back from the police. I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner!"
"At last - I'll be able to prove that I am who I am!" Christine declared.
When the meal had ended and Christine had excused herself to go to the ladies' room, Giovanni's wife, Adrianna, came over. "Dave," she exclaimed. "She's lovely! She can't stay all by herself with two babies. You have to get one of those men to marry her!"
Rossi smiled at the earnest woman. "That's not my decision," he reminded her. "And, I strongly suspect Christine doesn't want to end up like me, with three divorces to her credit!"
"Well, you have to do something!" was her final declaration.
Later that evening, after Rossi had extricated them from Giovanni's hospitality, they finally arrived home. As they were standing in the kitchen, Christine turned to give Rossi the biggest smile he had ever seen on her.
"Dave, I can't thank you enough," she exclaimed as she threw her arms around him. "This has been the best time I have had in forever!"
"My pleasure," Rossi assured her with a smile. "Is there anything in the car that you need tonight? If not, I'll have Luis bring the packages in tomorrow morning."
"I'm all set," Christine assured him, holding up a small bag from the Scents and Bath Store. "I just want to leave this in the kitchen for Sonia to find when she comes in tomorrow morning."
"You know, you didn't have to get her anything," Rossi told her. "I pay her more than enough."
"I know," Christine replied. "But, she has been awfully nice about putting up with me and I want to say 'Thank You'. And," she extracted a small travel-sized bottle from the bag and handed it to him, "This is for you!"
"It's their latest scent for men," she explained as he unscrewed the top and sniffed. "Try this sample of body wash and if you like it, we can get you more the next time we go shopping."
"This is different from what you gave Reid," he observed.
"That's because you are different!"
The kiss on the cheek Christine gave him came dangerously close to the corner of his mouth. "I really want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for me this evening," she explained. "And, now, I think I am ready for bed!"
As she headed up the stairs, Rossi sniffed the body wash yet again. He winced as he recognized the all too familiar twinges developing in his stomach – and even lower. Was he developing feelings for Christine? No – That would be inappropriate on so many levels. Besides, that was how he had ended up with three ex-wives. He needed to do something. Aaron had already proposed to her, so – ?