Chapter Twenty Six
Gio
Saturday afternoon found me at Carly’s door just a little before two in the afternoon. I’d be lying if I said I’d been a little surprised she’d agreed to go to my parents’ anniversary party with me. I was glad she agreed, though. I wanted her at my side. I knew my mama was going to love her and that little boy of hers. A quick knock had her opening the door.
“Gio, hey. Sorry, I’m a mess. We’re running a little bit behind. Please, come in.”
Her skin was flushed, her hair looked like she’d been running her fingers through it, and her feet were still bare. “You still look beautiful,Tesoro.”
Carly rolled her eyes at me and I chuckled.
“Right. And pigs fly. Please, sit. Give me ten minutes and we’ll be ready to go.”
“You took me and Mama to the hospital when I was sick.”
I looked down into a pair of hazel eyes. They were the same as Carly’s. “Si, I did.” I knelt down so I was at his level. “Are you feeling better?”
“Uh huh. Mama says we’re going to a party with you. Are you my Mama’s boyfriend?”
Ah, the frankness of children. “Your Mama and I are just friends but maybe you can put a good word in for me with her.” I winked at him, which made him grin.
“Okay!”
“What are you two plotting?”
I looked up to find Carly watching us. She’d pulled her curls into a ponytail and had slipped sandals on her feet. “Oh, nothing. Just how to take over the world. I’m Pinkie. He’s Brain.”
Carly’s laughter at my joke lit up her entire face. Fuck she was beautiful. “Ready to go,Bella?”
“Just let me grab my bag. You’re sure it’s okay that we’re coming with you? I don’t want to put anyone out.”
“I’m positive,Tesoro. Now stop fretting and let’s get out of here.”
“Your parents’ home is beautiful.”
We were making our way down the driveway toward the house and I tried to see it from her point of view. I’d grown up there, for me it was just a house. “I suppose it is.”
“I suddenly feel very under dressed, Gio.”
“Nonsense. You look beautiful.”
As soon as I parked I was around the car to the passenger side so I could help her out. I offered her my arm before I escorted her and Eli around to the back of the house where I knew the party was being held.
“Gio,mio figlio, you made it.”
No sooner had we rounded the corner and my mama was there tugging me down so she could kiss both my cheeks.
“Ciao, Mama. I told you I would be here. Mama, I would like you to meet Carly and her son, Eli. Carly, my Mama, Carmella Marchetti.”
“Hello, Mrs. Marchetti.”
“Bah! What is this Mrs. Marchetti business? Call me Carmela. It’s about time my son finally brought a nice girl home.”
I watched Carly’s face for her reaction to my mother’s words. She didn’t look shocked but she did give me an arched look. She would be grilling me about that later.
“All right then, Carmela.”
I watched as Mama turned her attention to Eli. “Oh,picollo, aren’t you just the cutest. Come, let your Mama go meet the other grown ups. You can help me bring the tray of cookies I was going after outside.”
“Relax, Bella, he’s in safe hands.” I’d noticed the way Carly tensed up over her son going off with my mother and wanted to set her mind at ease. “Come, let me introduce you to everyone.”
We made the rounds with me introducing her to my family. It did my heart good to see her slowly relaxing with every passing minute. “I told you there was no reason to worry,Tesoro.” She glowered at me which only made me chuckle.
“Smart ass. Fine. You were right. Your mother doesn’t mind that we came with you. You are such an arrogant ass sometimes, Gio.”
“Only sometimes.”
Her laughter was genuine and it lit up her eyes. “There she is. There’s the woman I’ve come to know and adore.”
