"I'm sorry, what?" Bruno leans forward.
"Nonna. She wants Nonna to live with us after we're married. Said it in front of my entire family. My mother, my father, my aunts and uncles. Everyone."
"Your ninety-two-year-old grandmother," Tommy clarifies. "Move in with you. And your new wife."
"Yes."
Sal whistles low. "That's bold."
"That's insane." I run my hand through my hair. "Who does that? Who offers to have their husband’s grandmother move in? We're not even married yet."
"What'd you say?" Bruno asks.
"What could I say? 'No, Nonna, I don't want you'? In front of everyone?" I shake my head. "She trapped me. I say no, I look like a terrible grandson. I say yes, I'm living with my grandmother as a newlywed. Even my mother doesn’t want Nonna living in her house."
"Did Nonna agree to it?" Tommy asks.
"She looked amused. Like it was all very entertaining to her."
Paulie's grinning again. "I like this girl."
"You wouldn't if you were engaged to her."
"I don't know, boss." Paulie leans back, crosses his arms. "She's gorgeous. Like, really gorgeous. You're complaining about a hot woman who wants to take care of your grandmother? Some guys would kill for that. I’m not sure I see the problem here."
Something hot flares in my chest. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Talk about her like that."
Paulie blinks. "Like what? I just said she's hot."
"I know what you said."
"Boss, relax. I'm just saying, you could do worse. She's a little weird with food and really into family. You're gonna marry her anyway, right? Might as well enjoy the perks." He makes a crude gesture. "And those big titties are definitely perks."
"Paulie." My voice is low. Dangerous. "Stop talking."
"Whoa, okay." He holds up his hands. "Didn't know she was off-limits for jokes."
"Of course she’s off-limits. We’re getting married for fuck’s sake!"
"Exactly. Which means in a little over a month, you're gonna be—"
"Finish that sentence and you're done."
Paulie's eyes widen. "Jesus Christ, boss. I'm just saying what everyone's thinking."
"Then everyone needs to stop thinking it."
Sal chuckles. "He has a point though. Girl like that? Face, body, the whole package? You could overlook a lot of crazy shit for that."
"I'm not overlooking anything." I glare at him. "And she's not crazy."
"You just spent ten minutes telling us she ate your dinner, stole your drink, and invited your grandmother to move in," Bruno points out. "That sounds a little crazy."
"She's not crazy. She's just..." I struggle for the word. "Enthusiastic. Clueless, maybe. But not crazy."
