But not his mother. “You were also seen around town with them.”
“Contessina, he’s being a good host. They will be working together, and you know that building long-lasting relationships is how we grow the business in the long run. Antonello is doing exactly what I would do in this situation. Spending time outside of work with this man and his son will make it easier to do business, especially if there is a problem. Then they can work it out.” He sat back, sipping his drink. His father was the only person who could counter his mother when she got curious. But if Antonello thought she was through, he was mistaken.
“I was talking to Mary Gianetti today, and she has a daughter about your age. She showed me a picture. Giulia is pretty, and her mother says that she is wonderful. You should meet her. It’s time for you to get married and have children.” This wasn’t the first time his mother had tried to push one of her friends’ daughters off on him. “You need to get married so you can have a son to carry on the family. Your cousin has a wife, and your aunt tells me that they’re working to have a child.”
“They are?” He rolled his eyes. “Then why is Lorenzo walking through town with a tourist from Spain? I met her the other day when he brought her to the store.” He hoped that little bit of information would put his mother off what had become her favorite topic lately.
“You didn’t let him get anything, did you?” his father asked a little forcefully. It didn’t escape Antonello’s notice that neitherof his parents were surprised. Lorenzo didn’t think marriage should preclude him from spending time with other women.
“Of course not. I told Renate and Claudio, and they were more than happy to make sure he doesn’t try to go around us.”
His father nodded, and it seemed he had put his mother off her game just enough that he got a few minutes’ respite from her matchmaking.
“Good,” his father said.
“Aria deserves better than your cousin,” Mother said softly. “She’s a nice girl and a good wife. Luigi, you need to make sure your sister knows so she can do something about that son of hers.” Antonello did not want to be Lorenzo once his aunt found out about her son’s latest escapade. “If you treat your wife that way….” His mother’s voice grew deeper, the warning crystal clear. Antonello cleared his throat, knowing she was warming up to her favorite subject. “I hear that Margaretta Venutti is back. She went away to America for school like you did. And I know she’s single.”
Antonello turned to his father. This was becoming a common theme with his mother, and he was tired of it.
“Contessina, leave him alone. He doesn’t need you to find him a wife. Our son is handsome, and any woman would be lucky to have him. He will find his own wife, just like I found you.”
His mother scoffed. “I’m the one who found you.”
“True. But do you remember who my mother wanted me to marry?” His father chuckled.
His mother smiled softly. “Gemma Vesta,” his mother said. “She would have been all wrong for you, and the last I heard, she buried her second husband after nagging him to death. Guido gave up living rather than spend another day with her.” She sipped from her glass. “But I have better taste than your mother, and I know my son and what he needs.”
“He does not need to marry the daughter of Mary Gianetti. The girl is pretty, but in twenty years she will start to look like her mother.” Dad’s eyes sparkled. Mary Gianetti had a face only a mother could love. It was a good thing her husband, Carlo, was nearly blind.
“I will find the right person for me,” Antonello said. “And I’m not going to choose anyone you pick out for me. I will get married and have children in my own time. Couples are waiting to get married and have children. I’m not in a hurry.”
“You should be. The goods girls will all be snapped up, and then you’ll be left with the Gemma Vestas of the world.” She shot him a firm look, daring Antonello to try to tell her that she was wrong. “I’m your mother, and I know these things.”
“But that doesn’t mean that I want you choosing my wife for me.” More than anything, he wanted this conversation to end, and thankfully, his father asked his mother about her work with the Amici degli Uffizi, the group that supported the famous museum, which effectively changed the subject. But he knew it was only a temporary reprieve. His mother never gave up on anything without a fight.
Chapter 7
“RICKY!” CHASEcalled when he got home that evening, happy to be out of the office and away from Antonello. On the work front, it had been very productive. Dave was reviewing the updates to the specifications to ensure that the changes in production methodology would truly be beneficial. Chase thought they would be, but a second opinion was warranted, with so much on the line.
“Guncle Daddy,” Ricky called, giggling as he raced across the room and into his arms. Then he began speaking in Italian, saying something Chase didn’t understand. “Now, you say, ‘Com’è andata la tua?’” Chase repeated the words, and Ricky answered. The only word he caught in his response wasgelato.
“What does all that mean?”
“I asked how your day was, and you asked about mine, and then I told you that Bianca and I learned more Italian and got gelato. It was yummy.” He smiled widely, and Chase held him tightly.
“I will go now,” Bianca said. “See you tomorrow,” she told Ricky, who waved.
“Ciao, bella,” Ricky said as they saw her to the door. Chase thanked her for watching Ricky and closed the door behind her.
Ricky chattered away as he held him. Chase closed his eyes, his heart racing as he did his best not to let Ricky see his distress. He had been so close to spilling the beans about Ricky. The words were on the tip of his tongue, and he had only stoppedhimself at the last second. On top of that, he had nearly come out and told Antonello how he felt. What a mess. He rocked Ricky in his arms, hoping like hell he could keep it together. Yes, he was angry with Antonello for what he’d done, but he was more upset with himself.
He kept telling himself that he didn’t know for sure if Ricky was Antonello’s son, but the more he looked, the more he could see it. And he was absolutely shocked that Antonellodidn’tsee it. But at least he could breathe more easily on that score. If he thought Elaine had moved on after he left, then that should help keep Antonello from suspecting himself as Ricky’s father.
But that was only one part of the minefield his life had become. Chase had really hoped that Antonello would have turned into a real asshole. That would make keeping him at a distance so easy. But he was the same person Chase had known in college. Back then, Chase had been too reticent to express his feelings. He’d simply kept them to himself.
“Daddy, you look sad,” Ricky said.
“I don’t mean to,” Chase told him, forcing the worry away and himself to smile. “What should we have for dinner?”
