She nodded. “I think it’s safe to say that’s a reasonable possibility. Watch your back, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed.
We summoned our waiter, who brought the entrees a few moments later. Two margherita pizzas, piping hot, were placed in front of us. I knew better than to slice mine into triangles and eat with my fingers. My mother might have been born and raised in New York City, but it would be a sin to eat like a barbarian in her presence.Using a fork and knife, I devoured my food while chatting with her about lighter topics.
The moment her plate was cleared, she sat back, folded her hands over her stomach, and sighed happily.
“Tell me about your girl.”
While we ate, I’d debated bringing up the topic of Rae. It hadn’t been the plan, since I wanted to keep my sweet secret to myself for a while. But since she’d already heard about last night—which I still couldn’t figure out how that’d happened—I knew this question couldn’t be put off.
“You’ve been smiling to yourself this whole time,” my mother added. “She must be spectacular.”
“You already know she is,” I said dryly, refilling our glasses. “I wouldn’t have put a public claim on anyone else.”
The grin that spread across my mother’s face was bright. “She makes you happy.”
“Yes.”I didn’t know it was possible.To be this consumed with another human, that even now I wondered what Rae was doing. How she was feeling. When I could see her again.
My mother laughed. “It wasn’t a question, Nico.”
“The answer is still yes.”
“I know it is,” she teased. “Well, when can I meet her?”
Worry trickled down my spine. It was icy cold, and I had to fight back a shiver. I wasn’t ashamed of Rae. And Donatella Grimaldi would be the last person to consider another based on their position rather than their character. But it was a risk that my mother had come to Boston to visit me today. I hated the thought of her coming back, even if it was to meet the woman I was falling head over heels for. And it wasn’t like Rae and I could skip over to New York right now with everything so volatile.
If I raised any of those objections, my mother would flash her famous stubborn streak and fight me on the issue.
Carefully, I put the answer in other terms. “It’s complicated. I want this relationship to last, and I have my work cut out for me. I need to straighten things out with the famiglia, so I’m keeping things casual for now.”
“By flaunting her in front of them?” My mother snorted. “Please, Nico, I wasn’t born yesterday.”
“She needs to stay a secret,” I insisted. “No one knows who she is.”
“Even your own mama? Impudent boy.” Donatella stuck out her bottom lip again. “But fine, have it your way.”
“You’ll meet her, I promise,” I insisted.
“Well, hurry up and fix this mess. Then she can stand by your side, but….” She tapped her lip. “You’ll have to ask her first if that’s where she wants to be.”
I swallowed hard. “Say a prayer that she accepts that offer.”
“I have a better idea.” My mother gave me a wink and then lifted her hands. She pulled at the fourth finger on her right hand. A square-cut solitaire that was at least four carets on a gold band slid over the knuckle. “You can’t have my wedding band—” she flashed the simple gold ring on the left hand “—but your father gave me this when he asked me to marry him. I think it will serve you better than it does me.”
Shaking my head, I leaned away from her outstretched hand. “I can’t accept that, Mama.”
“You can, and you will.” She forced it into my palm. “It’s not cursed, if that’s what you’re worried about. If anything, it will bring you luck and happiness.”
Her fingers wrapped around mine, closing my palm.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, not trusting myself to speak louder.
“You’re welcome, and now that I’ve helped you solve your problem—” her voice twinkled with mischief “—you’ll set a date for us to meet. And! I’ll drag your sister with me.”
Fear soured my veins. “Tiziana can’t come to Boston! If Grimaldi catches her, he’ll keep her hostage—”
“He’ll have to get through me if he thinks he can marry off his granddaughter without his wrinkly old throat being cut open first,” my mother snapped. “We’re coming, and that’s that.”
