Page 133 of Better Than Gelato
I look at Paolo, and he’s grinning like a fool.
“She’s pregnant!”
“Six months.”
I give him a smack on the shoulder. “And you didn’t tell me!”
“We only found out three months ago. It wasn’t exactly planned. And her pregnancy’s been rocky. For a while we weren’t sure…anyway, she’s doing a lot better now.”
“Wow.” I can’t stop smiling. “You’re going to be a dad. Are you ready for that?”
Paolo gives me a look. “I’m Paolo. I’m ready for anything.”
“You nervous?”
“Terrified.”
“When’s she due?”
“October. Which is when we were going to have the wedding, until we found out about the baby. Valentina doesn’t want to get married nine months pregnant. We’ll do a ceremony next year.”
“Marrying a Northerner,” I say. “How does your mother feel about that?”
“She was furious until she found out she was getting a grandson.”
“It’s a boy?”
“It’s a boy. We’re naming him Diego.”
My heart stutters. “It’s a good name,” I say.
“He was a good guy,” Paolo says. We sit quietly for a moment. There’s sadness, but it’s not unwelcome.
“How about you?” Paolo says finally. “Marriage on the horizon?”
I laugh and shake my head.
“I liked Orange Dreamy Dream.” Paolo says.
“His name was Kyle,” I remind him. “And yeah, he was nice.”
“Wasn’t there someone last fall? With a super preppy name?”
“Brent. That fizzled out before spring. It was fine, I was graduating anyway. And now I’m so busy with work, I haven’t been dating much.”
“Such a shame for a sweet thing like you.”
“I’m perfectly happy on my own for now.”
Paolo gives me an appraising look. “I can see that. You look happy.”
Dinner passes too quickly, and before I know it, Paolo’s driving me back to my hotel.
“I talked to Jake a few weeks ago,” Paolo says in a too-casual tone.
“Mm,” I say, noncommittal.
“He’s doing well.”
