Page 43 of Banter & Blushes

She gave me a knowing look, setting the spoon down and wiping her hands on her apron. "Of course. Sit down. You look like you could use a nice plate of pasta, huh?"

As I settled into the chair, I couldn’t help but think back to the countless hours her mother spent teaching me, patiently guiding me through the intricacies of cooking. It was those lessons that gave me the courage to pursue this path—to become a chef. I wasn’t just learning how to cook. I was learning how to take care of myself, how to build something real for my future, and for my family’s. I never wanted them to worry about what tomorrow might bring. Her mother's quiet belief in me had turned into my strength, shaping not just my career but the man I was becoming.

I smiled, the warmth of her presence making my chest loosen up a bit. “Yeah, maybe in a little bit.”

My dad didn’t even look up from his newspaper, but he threw out a classic Luca line. “You’re still eating like a teenager, I see. You know, if you kept coming over more, I could get you eating some real food. And stop skipping meals. That’s what happens when you open your own restaurant—your brain turns to mush from lack of nutrients.”

I chuckled beside him. “You’re right, babbo. I’ve been... running myself ragged lately.”

Mi Mama pulled up a chair beside me, her eyes soft with concern. “What’s bothering you, honey? You don’t look like yourself.”

I sighed, leaning back into the couch. “It’s this whole thing with a woman named Rebecca.”

Her expression softened. “Ah, I see.”

Dad folded his newspaper and put it down on the coffee table, his attention now fully on me. “What’s going on, Luca? I thought things were going well between you two, at least from what I heard from Joe.”

Of course, Joe neglected to tell them what happened recently.

“They were,” I muttered, frustrated. “They were, but now... I’m not so sure.”

Dad raised an eyebrow. “Not sure about what?”

I rubbed my hands over my face, trying to figure out where to even start. “She... she’s older than me. She’s got this life that’s been in motion for years. She’s got a career, and she’s... I don’t know, she’s just got her stuff together. And I’m still figuring out what the heck I’m doing, you know? Yes, I have the restaurant. Yes, it’s going well. But my personal life?”

Mi Mama smiled gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Luca, age is just a number. You know that. Love doesn’t care how old you are, or how muchmoney you make, or how many years you’ve spent building your career. If you feel something real for her, don’t let anything—especially fear—stop you.”

I looked down, my eyes focusing on the carpet as I processed her words. “I don’t know, Mama. What if I’m making a mistake? What if I end up messing everything up for her and her life? I mean, what do I really have to offer here in this town?”

Dad leaned forward, his tone shifting to something more serious, though it still held that warm, reassuring quality that made him the go-to person for advice. "Luca, listen to me. One of the worst things you can do in life is die with regrets. You have a pure heart, one that always puts others before yourself. I’m sure that if you’re honest with her, if you show her your true intentions, she’ll understand."

I looked up at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

I thought I had that day. I thought I expressed clearly enough for her to understand, but she still pushed me away.

He smiled, a little wistful, like he was remembering something from his past. “You’re always gonna wonder what might’ve been, what could’ve happened. And trust me—those 'what-ifs' will eat you alive. But if you go after it—if you give it your all, even if it seems impossible—you won’t have any regrets. You won’t sit there thinking, ‘What if I had just done this one thing?’”

My heart started beating a little faster, and I could feel the weight of his words settling in my chest. “But it feels so...complicated.”

“I know.” Mi babbo nodded, his voice gentle but firm. “Life’s complicated. It’s messy. You think you’re ready for something, and then reality hits you with a hundred reasons why it can’t happen. But, Luca... you’ve got to try. You’ve got to chase after the things that matter, no matter how impossible they seem.”

I swallowed, suddenly feeling a little lighter, like something in me had clicked into place. I hadn’t really known what I was looking for until right this second. It wasn’t about whether Rebecca and I made sense on paper, or whether the world thought we were too different. It was aboutus.

“Babbo, do you really think it’s worth it? Even with all the things thatcouldgo wrong?”

“Especially because of all the things that could go wrong.” Dad leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “Life’s not perfect. You won’t ever find a ‘perfect’ time to take the plunge, but you don’t want to look back when you’re my age and wonder what you could’ve had. Don’t let fear make decisions for you. I taught you better than that, Luca.”

I felt my chest fill with warmth, like something had unknotted inside me. Maybe this whole thing was messy, maybe I wasn’t exactly in control of my life, but that didn’t mean I should run from it.

“Thanks, babbo,” I said, my voice quiet, wondering why I didn’t come to him sooner. “I really needed to hear that.”

“Anytime, figliolo,” he said, a gentle smile on his face. “We’ve got your back, always.”

I looked at both of them, feeling that familiar sense of love and support wash over me. I was going to do it. I was going to go for Rebecca again. No more running. No more second-guessing, no more self doubt. I didn’t know how it would turn out, but I couldn’t sit on the sidelines of my own life anymore.

And maybe, just maybe, the biggest risk of all was not taking that chance.

“Alright,” I said, standing up and feeling more determined than I had in weeks. “I think I know what I need to do.”

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