Page 97 of Better Than Gelato
“I love you back,” I say.
“Should we grab dinner at Il Tavolo Grande tonight?” he asks.
“Yes! I’ve been craving their risotto!” I say. “Let me grab my jacket.”
I grab my jacket and cell phone from my room. And then, like I’ve done every hour for the last week, I check my email. And unlike every other time I’ve checked, I have a reply from Walter O’Brien. My whole body goes still as I read it.
I let out a yell of triumph and leap off my bed. I gallop around my room. I pump my arms. I dance like a lunatic. Then I run into the living room and throw my arms around Jake.
“Guess who has a spot in the highly competitive and world-renowned photography program at UC San Diego?” I ask.
“You.”
“ME!” I shriek.
“The chair responded to your email?”
“Yes!” I pull it up and let him read every word. There’s an apology and an invitation to join the program and at the end, he wrote, “Photography is not just about skill, but passion. It looks like you have both. Welcome to the program.”
I call my parents to share the news, and they’re ecstatic.
“I’m so proud of you,” my dad says, his words wobbly with tears. He’s always been a crier.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’m proud of me too.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
On Monday, I share my news with Paolo over lunch. He listens as I tell him all about UC San Diego’s photography program and even manages to look interested for a moment or two. Then I mention Jake’s sister is coming to visit next week, and he sits up straight.
“Are you worried she won’t like you?” Paolo says immediately.
“What? No. I’m a delight.”
“Love is war, Julieta. You can’t always tell your enemies from your allies.”
I take another bite of bruschetta. “I’m not worried.”
“Then that’s your first mistake.” Paolo takes his napkin and folds it, then lays it next to his plate. It’s his signature move when he’s about to launch into a big speech.
I swallow and give him my full attention. “You clearly have some advice you want to dole out. Let’s hear it.”
“First, beware of traps.”
“What tr?—”
“Trap one, she asks probing questions, looking for anything you’ve kept hidden from Jake. Tell her nothing.” Paolo holds up two fingers.
“Trap two, she interrogates you about your future with Jake. If your response is too enthusiastic, you’re a gold digger, if it's not enthusiastic enough, you’re wasting his time.”
“How do I respond?”
“You don’t. But make it seem like you did.”
I take a long gulp of water, suddenly feeling out of my depth.
“Trap three, if she brings up any of Jake’s ex-girlfriends, put on your most bored expression. Imagine Jake droning on about his research.”
“I like hearing about his research.”
