Page 45 of Better Than Gelato
“Julieta.”
“Paolo.” I say back and wait for more.
“What have I done?” His voice is panicked. I get a drink of water for Isa, who is flopped on the couch, covered in sweat, and then sneak down to my room.
“You went for it!” I say. “And she said yes!”
“I thought her saying no was the worst thing that could happen. But this is worse. What if everything goes terribly? What if I make a complete fool of myself?”
I’ve never heard Paolo like this. He’s literally the most self-assured person I know.
“Paolo,” I say. “You can do this. You're going to have an amazing time, and at our Monday lunch, you're going to tell me every detail in giddy excitement.”
Four days later, I meet Paolo for lunch. He looks neither giddy nor excited. I wait until we’ve ordered our food and finally ask, “How was your date on Saturday?”
Paolo’s shoulders drop. “Wonderful. A disaster. A wonderful disaster.”
“Start from the beginning.”
“I took her to a work party. Everyone there loves me, and she could see how successful and respected I am.”
I snort but make no comment.
“Then, when things were winding down, I asked if she wanted to get some dessert. We went to this little cafe with the besttorta al cioccolato. We talked. She told me about her family. We were really connecting, you know?”
His face looks earnest and hopeful. It’s not an expression I’ve seen on him before.
“So, what happened next?”
“Well, I ruined it, that’s what happened next.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Elaborate.”
“I couldn’t keep my dumb mouth shut. I told her everything.”
Paolo seems to think he’s explained himself, but I press for more information.
“You told her everything about what, Paolo?”
“How she smells like my grandmother’s garden. How her hair shines like warm olive oil. How the sound of her laughter makes me want to learn how to juggle.”
“Oh.”
“I know.”
“In those exact words?”
Paolo hangs his head and mumbles, “Even the part about juggling.”
Yeesh.
“How did she respond?” I ask in what I hope is a neutral tone.
“Well, she didn’t run screaming from the cafe.”
“That’s good.”
“She walked silently from the cafe.”
