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“You were in Vegas, bro. Nobody expected you to fly back constantly just to see a woman who forgets your name half the time.”
“Maybe, but I don’t know. She’s my mother.”
“I know,” he says and his voice is soft. The pain’s thick in his tone. “But we’re doing the best we can. Nobody’s holding it against you.”
“I’m here now though. I’m going to do better, even if it hurts.”
“Don’t have high expectations. Sometimes she seems like herself, but then—” He leaves it at that.
“Thanks for the warning.”
“And hey, I know I’ve been a fucking dick lately making jokes and all that, but I am rooting for you and Allegra.”
My eyebrows raise in surprise. “No kidding?”
“You said you love her. That’s enough for me. If you need help convincing those Rinaldo cocksuckers, I’m your man.”
“I’m not sure your brand of negotiation is going to work in this particular instance, but thanks. I appreciate that.”
“And don’t worry about Saul. He’s already getting over the whole thing. The guy’s annoyed you made him look like an asshole, but he gets it.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“Took a few drinks, but yeah, he admitted he understands.”
“That’s good.” I stare at the floor, tempted to tell Carlo the truth about my relationship with Allegra. Not just the deal we made, but our history, too. Instead, I keep my mouth shut, aware that the more people who know about our history together, the more likely it is that our scheme will get caught.
And if Allegra’s father realizes that our marriage is a sham so she can get out of her responsibilities, he’ll never forgive her.
I keep my mouth shut for once and head off to sit in the garden with Mom.
Allegra isn’t verytalkative when I get home. The house is coming together—there are pillows on the couches and small flourishes in each room—but she doesn’t seem satisfied. That night, as we’re getting into bed, I watch her washing her face in the other room and picture this routine for the next year. It’s so simple and domestic, sharing our lives together, getting into bed at a reasonable hour, waking up to her slow breathing in the darkness of the early morning, and it’s more than I ever dreamed it could be. Out in Vegas, I lived like a bachelor, keeping odd hours and doing whatever the hell I wanted.
None of it satisfied me the way lying in bed with my wife does. Even when we don’t fuck.
“I spoke with Renzo and Carlo today,” I say softly once she’s beside me and the lights are off. “About your family problem.”
“And did they have some magical solution?”
“Not exactly. Renzo thinks we need to make some gesture.”
“Brilliant. Amazing. Get that guy a MacArthur.”
“A what?”
“Genius grant. Whatever.”
I smile to myself. “I know you’re being sarcastic, but he’s right. We need to find a way to prove to your father that we’re still loyal.”
“ThatI’mloyal. You never were.”
“Okay, fair enough. I can at least prove that I’m not trying to undermine his organization.”
“Right. Sorry. I’m being a little harsh. It’s just been tough.”
“You miss your cousin.”For whatever reason. That girl is trouble.
“I miss everyone, but yeah, I miss Sophia the most. She was my best friend, you know? We texted all the time.”
