Page 84 of Matteo

Rafe shrugs. “I think they’re arguing again.”

“I repeat, when is Mom going to divorce Dad?” I’m serious.

“Don’t. Let them get to it when they’re ready. Speaking of, when are you going to deal with the asshole. I don’t want you going alone.”

“I’m not going alone. I am not an idiot.” I roll my eyes at Rafe. “He won’t know I’m alone though. The security contractors will be with me, out of sight. They’ve had eyes on him since day two. I’ll drive down to meet up with him tomorrow. We’re meeting in his lawyer’s office.”

Javier’s forehead is a knot of concern. “I should go with you. In case there’s any question of law and to watch your back.”

“No, you guys are staying here. If you come, he might recognize one or both of you.” The last thing I need is for him to realize who I am. “Enough about all of that. I need your ideas. I kind of messed up with not having a romantic enough proposal. Help me out here. Give me something to turn her to mush. I’m already a little worried since it’s clear she wants the big wedding. If she wants a big wedding, she’ll get it. I just don’t want to wait on anything.”

“A big wedding? Sucks to be you. I was grateful as hell that Hope wanted a judge and some of her family.”

“I liked mine and Alicia’s wedding. Something tells me Amy doesn’t want as big as what you’re thinking. She seems like she doesn’t like much attention.”

He isn’t wrong. “I was surprised. I hadn’t thought she would want one. What do you mean?”

“I mean, she wants the wedding, but she doesn’t want a hundred guests.” Rafe sees I don’t get it completely. “If there are more than that, she’d freak with having to be around so many people.”

I’m relieved. This won’t be so hard after all. “Do you think I should consider churches? I don’t know all the rules and all of that. It’s going to happen fast when it does. I’m hoping she’s pregnant already. I don’t care how old-fashioned it sounds. There’s no waiting until after she has the baby for me.”

Rafe exhales a sigh and shakes his head. “I swear it’s like you’re trying to give me a heart attack.”

Javier laughs. “Whatever, you said yourself, he’s been looking less miserable. Who cares if it’s in a few months versus a few years?”

“Thanks, I’m feeling less miserable too. I changed all my accounts already and set up new trusts for her, Layla, and any other children we have. She’s also in my will.”

“Lawyers,” Rafe mutters.

“That’s how you know it’s serious. You know, Matteo and his loathing of lawyers.”

Too true. It’s good they both understand.

As I watch Amy try to understand my mom’s fake smile, I wonder If I should tell her about what’s going on. Would it be betraying their privacy, or is it better for Amy to know so she doesn’t ask the wrong questions?

“Your mom and your grandfather?” Amy exclaims loudly in the car on our way home.

“I think you woke up, Layla,” I mutter as I keep my eyes on Layla. She startled at how loud Amy was.

“Matteo, your mother, and your grandfather are having sex?” Now she’s whispering.

I can’t help it. I laugh. “Why are you whispering?”

“I don’t know, it sounds like something you should whisper. Because, oh my god, your grandfather and your mom...”

“Yeah, well. Apparently, it’s been going on for a few years. I hope it means my mom and dad will finally get a divorce.”

“Wait, your mom and your dad still aren’t divorced?” She’s back to whispering.

“Nope, supposedly the reason she didn’t divorce him was money. While they’re married, she gets the payment from the trust that’s due to him. She gets the payment, and my dad gets his salary. Maybe it made sense when there were kids she was paying for, but she has to have enough money now. She’s getting a hundred thousand a month from the trust—not even she could spend that every month.”

“You get a hundred thousand a month from the trust?” She’s barely moving her lips.

I nod. “Yes, don’t freak out. It will go up with every life-changing event.”

“What do you mean it will go up?” She wheezes the words out.

“When we get married, it will go up by a hundred thousand. Once I adopt Layla and with each child we have, it increases by a hundred thousand. It tops out at five hundred thousand per month.” We stop at a red light. I’m checking her to ensure she doesn’t pass out.

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