Page 116 of Diego

“As quickly as everyone can get the paperwork finished.”

“You were already through everything else.”

“Yes. This was the last issue.” I scroll through the report again, already thinking ahead. “I’m calling the attorney tonight. Tomorrow morning, I want everyone pushing. Seller, building, title, whoever needs to sign anything. I am done waiting.”

Ricardo smiles over the rim of his glass. “You seem unusually enthusiastic.”

“I’ve been sleeping in a guest room for more than a month.”

“A very nice guest room,” Dante says.

“In a very nice house,” Edoardo adds.

“With a pool,” Alessio says.

“Regardless, it's not mine,” I say.

Tomasso reaches for the wine. “I don’t know. I think there may be another reason Uncle Diego wants that closing expedited.”

I look at him.

He looks much too pleased with himself.

“There is exactly one reason,” I say. “I want my own space.”

“Of course. That's what I meant.”

Matteo nods solemnly. “Privacy.”

Tomasso nods with equal seriousness. “Very important.”

Dante glances between them. “You two are as subtle as bricks.”

Mario looks at me from the other end of the table, amused in that way of his that usually means he knows more than he intends to say. “You have been remarkably patient.”

“Thank you.”

“That was not necessarily praise.”

“I’m taking it as such.”

Victoria smiles. “You have complained about the delays at every dinner for five weeks.”

“I had a legitimate grievance.”

“You sent the family group chat a photograph of a window with the caption ‘my enemy,’” Julia says.

The table erupts in laughter.

Donna is laughing hard enough that Lorenzo puts one hand against the back of her chair and gives her a concerned look.

She notices immediately. “I’m fine.”

“I'm just trying to make sure you don't go into labor over Diego.”

Mocha emerges from beneath the table at that exact moment and comes around Donna’s chair, apparently deciding that enough time has passed without anyone feeding him. He stops beside me and rests his massive head against my thigh.

I look down at him. “You too?”