“Mangia,” Nonna calls as she stirs a pot. “You need to eat, you look like a ghost.”
“Don’t make me laugh, Nonna, it hurts too much.”
Mama sits down across from me and takes a sip of her espresso.
The front door opens and heels click across the wood floor. Gigi breezes into the kitchen wearing skinny jeans and a sweater. I almost choke on my frittata as I see Elio walk in behind her.
“How are you feeling sissy?” Gigi leans over and kisses my cheek.
“I’m fine.” I move the frittata around on my plate and give Elio a death stare. “What’s he doing here?”
“I would have told him to stay in the car, but he wanted to say hi and see how you were doing.” Gigi grabs his arm and squeezes it.
“He should have stayed in the car.” I take a bite of my food.
Elio gives me a smile. “I’m so glad to see you’re feeling better, Cipriani. That allergic reaction came out of nowhere.”
“What are you two up to today?” Mama interrupts. She stands up and looks at them.
“Elio is taking me to the mall for some retail therapy, and then we’re going on a picnic.”
“Sounds lovely. Would you like some extra goodies?” Nonna opens the oven and takes out a tray of blueberry muffins.
“We’ll take two, but Elio took care of everything.”
Nonna takes the muffins and puts them in a tin.
“I’ll come by later.” Gigi takes the container and flounces out of the room.
“It was so nice to see you all. Feel better Cipriani,” Elio calls as he follows her.
As soon as I hear the front door shut, I lunge for my phone. My fingers can’t type fast enough as I text Bruno and tell him to have Elio’s car tailed. I don’t trust him.
“I have a strange feeling about that boy,” Mama echoes my thoughts as she takes another sip of her cappuccino.
“Ay, Valentina.” Nonna hobbles over to the table and plops down. “He’s a good Italian boy. I’ve known Madeline a long time. She raised him right.”
I scoff. Then my heart plummets as I look at the time on the screen. Eight forty-five. Dominic is supposed to be here at nine. Even though Salvatore, Matteo, Bruno, and Lucia know about Dominic, I don’t want Nonna, Mama, and Gigi to find out. They’ll be all up in my business and make things worse.
“Thank you for this lovely breakfast.” I tread the waters cautiously. “Didn’t you say you were taking a Zumba class this morning, Mama? And Nonna has to get her hair done?”
“Are you trying to get rid of us?” Mama glances at me, her cup poised near her lips. She looks at my face. “You’re hiding something. You look guilty.”
“No. It’s just that I'm still feeling very tired. I want to rest and sleep today.”
“I see. Well I do have a Zumba class I need to get to.” Mama takes a last sip of her cappuccino and walks over to the sink.
“I’ll do all the dishes. I need something to occupy my mind,” I add.
Mama gives me a look.
“Fine, I’ll use the dishwasher,” I sigh.
Nonna turns off the oven. “I’ll put the extra food in the fridge and cover the muffins once they’ve cooled.”
“Grazie. Love you both.”
Giving me each a kiss, they leave, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
