“Is that supposed to be an insult?” I tucked my chin closer to my chest. “Because as far as I’m concerned, anything cheesy is good. The more cheese, the better.”
“It figures you’d say that.” She chuckled, crossing her tanned arms over her chest. They lifted her breasts, and my eyes dropped for just a moment. God, I love those things.
“I’ll think of something better,” she said, making me snap out of the beginning of a daydream where I’d unbuttoned her cream-colored shirt. “Don’t you worry.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it.” I winked and took another sip of my cooling coffee. Unfortunately, taking her in her office was going to have to wait for another day.
Glancing down at my watch, I realized more time had passed already than I’d thought. “I have a conference call soon.”
“Do you need me on it with you?” Her eyes flicked to her laptop.
“No, you keep working on that.” I tipped the cup back, draining the last dregs before standing up.
“Hey, Marco?” she said, suddenly hesitant with a rare flash of uncertainty in her eyes. “What did Aldo mean when he said your mother wouldn’t like me?”
I stilled. “It’s nothing really. She just not a big fan of Americans.”
“Oh.” Addy brightened, sitting up straighter. “I’m sure I could change her mind. I’m not bad with parents.”
“Let’s not put the cart before the horse, shall we?” I dropped my empty cup in the wicker trash basket next to her desk, then aimed what I hoped was an easygoing smile her way. “Meeting my mother isn’t something that’s going to happen anytime soon.”
“I know,” she said, still looking much happier than she had before she’d asked. “But I just wanted to know why Aldo would say that. If it’s only the fact that I’m American, it’s nothing for me to worry about. I’m sure I’ll win her over if I ever meet her.”
I highly doubted it, but I didn’t want to dash her good spirits over something that wasn’t relevant right then. “I’m sure you will.”
She smiled before nodding at her screen. “I’d better get back to it if you have to go take that call. Thanks for the coffee.”
“No problem.” I rounded her desk and leaned over to plant a soft kiss on her cheek, smirking when it seemed to surprise her. “Have a good day, Pasticcino. I’ll see you later.”
I heard her laughter as I closed her office door behind me. My own smile only slipped when I got back to my office and pulled my phone out of my pocket.
With my mother coming up left, right, and center these days, I figured I’d better take it as a sign to call and check in with her. I dropped into my chair while I waited for her to answer.
When she did, it was with a dramatic wail. “Marco? Thank God. I was worried about you.”
“Worried?” I frowned, leaning back with my eyes on the wooden supports on the ceiling. “Why?”
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I haven’t heard from you. You’ve forgotten all about me.”
I sighed but made sure to keep the sound quiet. “I saw you just a few weeks ago, Mama. When I got back from China, remember?”
“It feels like it’s been a year,” she lamented. “How are you? Have you given any more thought to meeting those lovely girls from my church? I’ve told them about you. They would be happy to go out with you.”
“I told you I don’t want to meet them. Please don’t talk to them about me.” I screwed my eyes shut, but as much as she annoyed me, I still loved her to pieces. “I’m fine. Are you okay?”
“Yes. I just miss you. I want to see you, Mi Bambino.” And that right there was why I had to get creative with nicknames for women in my life. English nicknames weren’t a big problem, but my mother had most of the Italian ones cornered.
“How about if I come to have dinner with you tomorrow night?” I asked. Arguing about being called her baby or trying to convince her that it hadn’t even been close to a year since I’d last seen her would only upset her.
Aldo and I tried to do everything in our power to avoid upsetting her. After everything she’d done for us and how she’d kept us going even after our father’s death, it was the least we could do.
“Why not tonight?” she asked in a small voice.
“I have to work late. Tomorrow, okay? I’ll even be there early.”
“Okay,” she agreed, though I knew she’d have preferred to see me right away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Mama.” I drove my hands into my hair once we’d hung up, Aldo’s comments and Addy’s questions flying around in my brain.
My mother was the epitome of love. Throughout my life, she had been its very embodiment. Unconditionally and truly, she loved us no matter what.
Why did it suddenly feel like she might not be happy if I found it?
Chapter 22
Addy
“Guess who has the night off tonight.” Elena danced into our kitchen, her earphones hanging around her neck as she set her bag down. “You and I are going out. I’m cashing in on that raincheck you owe me.”
I swallowed the piece of buttered toast I’d taken a bite of. “It’s never a good idea to go out on a Monday night.”
“We’re not going out drinking. We’re going out for drinks. There’s a big difference.” She grabbed a slice of toast from my plate, batting her long lashes at me. “You don’t want to fill up on that. I’m in the mood for Bellissima. I know how much you love their food.”
I heard the dull thudding of her music floating from the tiny speakers as she gave me a grin. Happily munching on her stolen bounty, she tapped her watch.
“Give me a few minutes to shower and get ready,” I said.
At her mention of my favorite bistro in our neighborhood, I decided against
