‘And you immediately call me? Matteo, how old are you?’
‘Nonno. Please.’
‘What happened yesterday? Last night?’
‘Yesterday was a huge physical day. I pulled something in my neck. Had a pinched nerve, actually. And last night, Sarah gave me a massage.’
Andrea was suddenly interested. ‘A massage?’
‘Yes.’ Matthew’s lower lip puckered.
‘A massage, as in . . . hands to naked skin?’
‘Yes, Nonno, that’s generally how it goes.’
‘What happened during this massage?’
Matthew grew bashful and felt the skin of his cheeks sting. ‘I took off my top and she gave me this incredible all-encompassing massage. She got the pinch out in the first few minutes, but then just kept . . . playing with me.’
Andrea’s eyes widened. ‘Playing?’
‘Touching, rubbing. You know.’
‘And?’ He brought the phone closer to his face to better assess his grandson. ‘How was it?’
Matthew exhaled. ‘So good. She has these crazy amazing hands that just know where and how to touch me, and I was so relaxed and comforted.’
‘And?’
‘And then she turned me over and started on my chest.’
‘And?’ His tone grew more impatient.
‘And then while she massaged my neck and played with my hair I fell asleep in her lap.’
Andrea’s face dropped. ‘You fellasleep?!’
‘I know!Ugh.I couldn’t help it. She had me so relaxed. I’m exhausted.’
‘How long did this all go for? The massaging and touching.’ Andrea was rounding on indignant.
‘An hour. Longer.’
‘You’re telling me that a beautiful woman half undressed you, rubbed your naked body for an hour and you fell asleep?’
Matthew grimaced. ‘Doesn’t sound good when you put it like that.’
‘Matteo,sai che ti voglio bene, ma sei uno stronzo!’
‘Nonno!’
‘And what did you do for her,eh?’
Matthew’s eyes closed and he shook his head. ‘Nothing.’
‘Ecco. There’s the problem.’
‘I don’t think it is, though. She kept telling me just to relax and enjoy it. That’s her. She’s very giving, and just always does things for others . . .’ Suddenly, his train of thought derailed. ‘Shit.’
