Page 22 of My Italian Roommate

“Mario. Why haven’t you been answering my calls?”

“Tony, it wasn’t intentional. I, uh, lost my phone the night of the banquet. I told you already. I just picked up a new one. What’s going on? Is there some new information on my status?”

“It’s the commission. The sponsors really got on them. Some of them threatened to pull out if you aren’t at the closing ceremony gala tonight. You have to be there, Mario. If not, you won’t be allowed to race next year.”

“Would that be so bad? Really?”

“Yeah, it would be. Not only for you but for me and the rest of the team. We need these sponsors or we all retire early along with you.”

“Okay, okay, calm down. I wouldn’t do that to you or the team. Just tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”

“Same banquet hall as the last one at seven tonight. Just show up and we’ll get through this mess.”

“See you then.”

I rush back to the apartment to give Mallory the heads up. She has classes today but I’m hoping she’ll be free. I don’t want to go anywhere without her.

* * *

The endof the circuit gala is a bit more formal than the banquet for the semi-finals. This time, I’m decked out in my back jacket and tie. Mallory wears a black, satin cocktail dress and pulls her hair up. She looks positively demure, far from the little temptress who took me in her mouth and swallowed every drop.

“I know I should put on some jewelry but I don’t think I have anything that will look right,” she sighs. “The last time I wore this dress was to a funeral and I wore my mother’s pearls.”

“Well, as dark and dreary as this event may be, it isn’t a funeral. You need something that will catch the light and show off the sparkle in your eyes.”

“Yeah, I don’t have anything like that,” she shakes her head and looks down at the floor.

“What’s wrong, princess?” I lift her chin with my thumb.

“I don’t know how to do this. All of this glamorous celebrity stuff isn’t my forte.”

“I don’t know how to do it, either, but they sure seem to think that I do. Hey, you know what? I might have something that will help you.” I rush into the bedroom and pretend that I’m rifling through my bag.

“What? You just happen to have a spare string of pearls in there?” she chuckles.

I spin on my heels and show her the long red velvet box.

“Not pearls. Like I said, you need something as dazzling as your eyes.”

I hand her the box and her hands shake as she opens it to reveal the diamond choker inside. Her hand flies to her mouth and she gasps.

“This is…where did you get this?” Wide-eyed and shocked by my gift, she stutters, “This is too much. I can’t wear this. What if it comes loose and I lose it or I break it?”

“Well, I bought it for you. If any of those things happen, we’ll go get you another one. I insured it.”

“Insured? I didn’t even know that you could insure jewelry. If you insured it, it must be expensive. I can’t accept a gift like this.”

“You can and you will. I won’t take no for an answer. Now, let me help you put it on.”

“Are you sure? I mean, really sure?”

“Do you like it, baby?”

“I love it, but…”

“Hush, no buts. You love it and I love it on you. It’s settled. Look.” I stand behind her and hold her in front of the mirror. She’s so small she doesn’t even come up to my chin, but my girl is perfect.

“Wow. It’s amazing,” she beams.

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