Page 82 of Matteo
“Did not.”
“Did so.”
Mom’s gaze flitted to me, and I shrugged. “It’s ripped now, so no use arguing over it.”
“I was going to wear it tonight.” Gianna glared at Hannah, clearly pissed off. “I don’t know why you always have to be the center of attention.”
“Please,” Hannah huffed. “There’s only a closet full of your clothes here.”
She was right. Since we visited so frequently, Mrs. Vitale kept a room stocked with a full wardrobe for us. Although I doubted it had party dresses.
“Can’t we have an uneventful party for once?” Mom said softly, almost pleadingly.
My sisters and I shared a glance, then exhaled a long breath.
“Of course, Mom,” Hannah answered, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll just wear my Elie Saab.”
“And I won’t wear one at all,” Gianna retorted dryly. “Since this one is ripped and all.”
“I’m sure Francesca has?—”
“I brought two,” I told Gianna. “Pick one, and I’ll wear the other.”
Her eyes lit up. “Are you sure?”
I nodded and walked over to the chaise lounge, leaving the girls to it. I glanced at my mom’s soft smiling face. “All better, Mom?”
She tilted her head. “What would I do without you?”
“Survive just fine,” I said, grinning. “And probably have a wrinkle or two less.”
“You’re happy,” she pointed out. “I almost expected you’d be grumpy.”
“The short time at Yale was good, but St. Jean D’Arc’s even better, especially now with the planetarium.”
Mom brightened, clapping her hands. “I’m so glad you’re using it. Matteo and I put so much thought into it.” My cheeks heated at the memory of exactly how I’d been using the planetarium. “So you love it?”
I cleared my throat, then hugged her. “I adore it, Mom. Thank you so much.”
“Excellent.” She kissed my forehead. “I’m going to check on Grace. It’s the first party she’s hosting since?—”
I nodded in understanding.
Matteo’s aunt Ella had been gone for a while now, but she and Mrs. Vitale were very close and usually hosted parties together. Today had to be hard for her.
“I know, Mom. Go ahead, I got this handled.”
She patted my cheek affectionately. “I love you all so much.”
“Love you too, Mom,” Gianna yelled across the room, hopping into my strapless green dress.
“Yes, love you too, Mom,” I echoed.
“Hopefully that one loves me too,” Mom murmured, shaking her head as Hannah snatched my other dress. It would seem I’d have to go beg Francesca for a spare.
“She does,” I assured her.
After one more glance at my sisters, Mom slipped out of the room.
