"This isn't going to work." Anna paces her bedroom. Alex is sitting on her bed with a smile on his face.

"Yes it is."

"I told you who he is. He could kill you!"

"We are going to make him admit his feelings, that's it."

"This isn't going to work." Anna repeats herself.

"Amy chill!" Alex grabs her shoulders, "we should get downstairs." Alex tugs her towards the door.

"Wait." Anna says and Alexander freezes. "Thank you."

"Of course. That's what friends are for."

Anna smiles. She didn't know it was possible to make friends with someone so quickly but with Alex something just clicked.

The two make their way downstairs where their mothers are fussing over place settings and their fathers are in the terrace smoking cigars.

"There you are!" Anita pulls Anna and Alex into a hug. "Anastasia your cousins will be here any minute and Marcello, can you and Alex be ready to greet them please?"

"Si."

Alex and Anna move toward the foyer ready to greet the Carmichael cousins and Marcello.

"You ready for this?"

"My cousins are annoying."

"Not what I meant." Alex rolls his eyes.

"Yeah I think so."

The doorbell rings and Alex slings an arm around Anna's shoulder. Anna reaches for the door handle and in walk a hoard of red headed Carmichaels. Anna introduces Alex and her Aunt and Uncle kiss her cheek.

As the group clears the doorway Anna notices Marcello standing on the bottom step. His lips tug up into a smile when he sees Anna. She smiles back at him. Alex once again wraps his arm around Anna's shoulder. Marcello's gaze flicks to Alex and he narrows his eyes. Alex bends down to Anna's ear.

"Smile, I think it is working." Alex whispers. Anna's eyes stay on Marc as he nears the doorway.

"Ciao Bella." Marcello's low growl causes Anna to shiver.

"Ciao." Anna tries her best to look unfazed. "Marcello Morretti this is Alexander Rossi."

"Great to meet you." Alex sticks his spare hand out towards Marc. Marc looks at Alexander's hand and then back to Anna.

"Anastasia, may I speak with you for a moment?"

Before Anna can respond Anita appears in the foyer.

"Marcello! Come, come."

...

Marc feels his anger ripple through him as he watches Anna sitting a little too close to Alexander. He is opposite them and has an annoying view of Alexander whispering things in Anna's ear.

"So Anna," Antonio Rossi commands the attention of the room. "Alexander said you live in Boston."

"Yes sir." Marcello watches Anna speak. "I attend M.I.T and I work at the Coffee Bean near Northwestern University.

"Are you enjoying your studies?"

"Very much so."

"Marcello what is it you do? Anna never told us..." Anita calls over the table.

"I own Sparrow Industries." Marcello replies with a smirk over in Anna's direction.

"Well that is impressive." Anita smiles at Marcello.

"Thank you ma'am."

"Are you based in Boston?" Alexander asks wrapping an arm around Anna's shoulders. It takes Marcello all his self control not to jump over the table to rip his arm from his body.

"Originally New York but I moved the company and my family to Boston after our parents died." Marcello explains calmly.

"You still speak Italian with your family?" Jacob asks.

"With my brother and his children. Luca's wife Eddison can't speak the language herself though I think she can understand more than she lets on. Our parents thought we should keep the language. It is all we spoke at home, unless Eddie was around."

"That is nice." Anita says smiling. "I wish my family could speak more fluently." She looks over at her daughter who rolls her eyes.

"Anna's Italian is actually quite good." Marcello offers. His words cause Anita to grin from ear to ear.

"You speak Italian tesoro?" Her question directed at Anna.

"Si Mama." Anna smiles at her mother. Her eyes catch with Marcello who winks at her. Anna quickly looks away.

When dinner is over Anita rushes into the kitchen to prepare dessert. Upon leaving she instructs Anna to collect people's plates. Marcello automatically stands.

"Let me help." He says quickly hurriedly collecting the plates close to him.

"It is fine Marcello. Sit down enjoy yourself."

"I would rather you sit down Bella." Anna ignores the Italian and continues to clear the table. Marcello follows her to the kitchen with the plates and cutlery he collected.

"Oh Marcello. You did not have to...Anastasia why didn't you tell him not to?" Anita gushes as they enter the kitchen.

"I tried mama."

"She really did Anita. I was persistent."

"Well thank you." Anita picks up the dessert. "Anastasia do you mind rinsing those plates quickly?"

"Can do mama." Anna says moving towards the sink. She hardly realises Marc is still with her until she feels his breath on her neck.

"I have half a mind to go out there and shoot that boy for touching you." Marcello growls in Anna's ear.

"You will do no such thing. Alexander is my friend."

"I think he sees you are more than a friend."

"What do you see me as?" Anna's question throws Marcello. Anna turns back to the plates rinsing each one in turn. She opens the dishwasher stacking the plates inside.

"I see you as mine." Marcello says finally.

"Your what?" Anna clarifies, "Your friend, your barista, your hacker, your...girlfriend."

"The latter." Marcello says softly.