“Paolo is into any woman who will let him show them a good time before they leave town in a few days with their memories… of just how pathetic a Latin lover can truly be.” Paolo put his hands over his heart like he’d been mortally wounded. “That’s what the last three girls you picked up told me.”
“Stronzo,” Paolo swore lightly.
“What does that mean?” Chase asked.
“I bet you can figure it out,” Antonello said as the boys all came over, out of breath and grinning. “This is Chase’s son, Ricky. Guys, this is Paolo.”
“The soccer player?” Santo asked with a touch of awe. “I watched you play.”
“Thanks.” Paolo ruffled Santo’s hair and even signed his ball when he asked. “Are you having lunch?”
“Sì. I bring enough for all of you.” Isabella swiped Paolo with her cloth. “And the big shot can pay.” They all laughed, and she went inside before returning with platters of food that she set on the table, followed by plates and glasses. Chase got Ricky in his seat, and Antonello brought over another table. Soon Isabella’s boys settled in with them. For him, it was as close to a real family meal as he ever got… at least with the family of his heart. And like all Italian family meals, it was a bit raucous, full of laughter. It only took him three tries to get Isabella to sit down with them. The boys seemed to figure out a kind of melded conversation, and even Paolo behaved himself.
“What level did you play?” Chase asked.
“I made the national team twice and played on a World Cup and Olympic teams. But that was two years ago, and now I think I am too old. Yes? So I work in finance with my family now.”
“What does that mean?” Chase asked. “Are you a banker?”
Paolo shrugged and refilled wineglasses. Antonello knew that Paolo liked to come across as playful and a bit of a playboy, but there was a serious side to him. He simply kept it very well hidden. Paolo was one of those people who loved his life and didn’t see the need to talk about anything serious. “Why spoil this great lunch talking about things that are boring? Life is too short to be dull.” He talked to the boys, reveling in being the soccer star.
“Do you like it?” Chase asked. He had given Ricky a small taste of everything, and he wolfed down the fish and pasta, grinning like they were the best things he had ever eaten.
“Good,” Ricky said.
“Grazie,” Isabella said with a huge smile, and once she finished her lunch, she switched back into restaurateur modeand began clearing the dishes for everyone else. Chase stood and began helping, following her inside.
“He’s a strange one,” Paolo said softly in Italian.
Antonello leaned close enough that the others couldn’t hear. “He’s caring, and he believes in helping rather than expecting everyone to wait on him. You could learn something.”
Paolo smiled his best disarming smile, which worked on just about everyone else, but Antonello had seen it enough to know to ignore it. Chase returned and sat back down, talking softly to Ricky, who seemed to be winding down. “Can we play some more?” Ricky asked.
“Sure. If that’s what you want,” Chase agreed, and all three boys returned to their game.
“I should go too,” Paolo said. “I have to meet someone.”
“Who is it?” Antonello asked.
Paolo shrugged. “I don’t know yet. But I will in a few hours.” That smile was back, and after handing Isabella some money, he kissed her on the cheek and strode off like he owned the world.
Chase sipped his wine as he and Antonello watched him go. Isabella took the last of the dishes inside while they enjoyed their wine.
“Did you and he ever…?” Chase asked. “I mean, Paolo is good-looking, and….”
Antonello chuckled and shook his head but leaned closer to keep his voice low. This sort of thing was something he never spoke about, much less in a place like this. “He is all about the women and would never consider or see anything else.” He couldn’t help swallowing and wondering if their friendship would remain if Paolo knew about his true feelings and where his interests lay. For all his bravado and charm, Paolo liked his world ordered and easy to understand. That was part of why he dated tourists and even married women. Paolo loved women, there was no doubt of that, but he also loved simplicity, so healways saw women who would make no demands on him, just as he made none on them. Everyone had a good time and they went home, and Paolo returned to his life. Antonello often wondered what would happen when Paolo finally met someone he didn’t want to let go of. “Besides, he’s a friend, and I never thought of him that way. We’ve known each other too long. It would be like getting involved with my brother.” He glanced around, glad they were alone.
“Sorry,” Chase said and drank the last of the wine in his glass.
Antonello shrugged again and sat back, sipping his wine and enjoying the afternoon. He didn’t often get times like this. “It’s nothing.” Chase watched the boys play, and Antonello watched him, maybe too much, because he caught Isabella looking at him in that knowing, motherly way she had, and he felt his belly twist a little. She patted his shoulder, leaving her hand there a little longer than necessary. Antonello relaxed, and she drew her hand away as a small group sat at one of the other tables.
Chase stood, instantly tense. Antonello followed his gaze to where Ricky sat on the ground, holding his leg. “Are you okay?” Chase called.
Ricky hurried over, showing off his scraped knee. “I fell,” he said with a sniffle. “Is it bleeding?” He held it up but looked away.
“No. It’s just a little pink. I can wash it when we get home.” Chase hugged Ricky, who ran back to play as soon as Chase let him go. “Crisis averted.”
Antonello couldn’t help wishing the crises in his life could be alleviated as easily.
