I close my eyes. Around me, six genius geeks hold their breath.
"I'm just busy with school," I try.
"Too busy for a family dinner? Three weeks in a row?"
"I have exams?—"
"Sebastiano." Her voice goes soft, which is somehow worse. "Are you happy?"
The question catches me off guard. "What?"
"Are you happy? This studying. This busy-ness. Does it make you happy?"
I think about Gavin's hands on my hips. About interview prep and shared coffee, and the way he says 'Doc' like I’m important to him.
"Yeah," I say softly. "I'm happy."
"Then why won't you tell me about it?"
Every eye in the room is on me. Max gives an encouraging nod. Leo mouths, 'You got this.' Even Elliot looks invested.
But the words stick in my throat.
"I have to go, Mama. I'll... I'll call you later."
"Sebastiano—"
"I love you. Give my love to Papa and the girls."
I hang up before she can respond.
The room stays quiet for a long moment.
"So," JP says finally, clearing his throat. "Operation Social Integration. Who's in?"
Six hands raise simultaneously.
"Good," JP nods, flipping to a new page. "Let's talk about phase one: Low-pressure social exposure in controlled environments."
"Could you sound more like a science experiment?" Luca groans.
"Would you prefer 'let's go flirt badly with strangers'?"
"...Continue with your phases."
My phone buzzes.
Mamma
When you're ready, Sebastiano. We love you no matter what.
I stare at the text until it goes blurry.
Maybe she knows. Maybe she's always known.
Maybe I'm the only one not ready to say it out loud.
"Seb?" Max's hand lands on my knee. "You okay?"
