Page 63 of A Treasure To Keep
“Of course, I do. You send me any wants or needs, and I’ll plan something perfect for you and yooooour . . . ” She extends the word, trying to get me to finish her sentence. I guess Marco didn’t tell her what I’m having.
“I’m having a boy, a.k.a. Gia’s future husband.” Immediately after seeing Luci’s wide eyes in response, I slowly turn my head in Alessandro’s direction. Fortunately, he’s too focused on Gia sleeping to pick up on the thought of Gia dating.
Since Alessandro is distracted, it means we have all the time in the world. It also means I can tell her all the news I’ve been internally begging to tell someone. “Let’s put the baby shower talk on hold. I have other news. It’s been long enough that I forgot to give you the juiciest tea I’ve been holding onto. Andrea doesn’t even know this. Remember Mirabella? My skank cousin, who was engaged to my ex-fiancé? She texted me the other day. She apologized and told me what had happened between her and Giovanni. We went through his messages and social media DMs, messaging all those girls he cheated on Mirabella with and any girl he’s flirted with since. His passwords were almost suspiciously easy to guess. Like, come on. B!GD!CK12? More like L!TTL3D!CK2. Anyway. We posted on those social media pages that warn girls about men covered in red flags. And not the good kind, like the movies I love that have sexy, morally gray men. There’s no way he will be getting laid anytime soon.”
“That’s sneaky, El. I should be impressed, but the Bible says to forgive.” Luci is such a good person. The angel to my devil. Metaphorically.
“The Bible also says an eye for an eye.”
She scrunches up her face, wanting to both argue and agree with me.
We continue catching up and drinking our coffees for about an hour longer until Gia wakes up from her nap, hungry and unhappy. Gia rarely cries and is usually a happy and calm baby. I guess waking up in a new place upset Gia. After Luci feeds Gia, calming her soul, we decide it’s time to part ways for the afternoon, with plans to finish the details of my baby shower.
Time got away from me, and by the time we’re done, it’s time to go pick up Andrea. The second Andrea gets in my car, he instantly guesses that Luci and I made up. Something about my smile, I guess. If there’s anyone who can read me, it’s Andrea.
Until today, I didn’t realize how much I missed Luci. We haven’t been friends for that long. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything. The connection and comfort we have with each other are unmatched.
I call James when I get home, catching her up on the tentative plans for my baby shower. I’ve kept it a secret about why Luci and I fought. Or what’s going on with Marco, Andrea, and me, even though her husband is our lawyer. Thankfully, she hasn’t pushed me on why Luci and I were fighting. I wouldn’t know what bullshit answer to give her.
After she reassures me for the thousandth time that she’s not upset I’m letting Luci plan my baby shower, we make loose plansto get together outside of work. She has mountains of baby items that Oliver has outgrown to give me, and I’m happy to take them from her. I can read countless articles and endlessly scroll all I want. At the end of the day, a mama knows what a mama needs.
I set two countdowns on my phone. One, for three weeks, when Andrea, Luci, and her protective shadow, known as Enzo, will join me for baby registry shopping. And one for six weeks from today, a.k.a., the day of my baby shower, and sit around impatiently for those days to come.
When I press save on the second countdown, the shower turns off, letting me know that Andrea is done in the shower. A wet and naked Andrea to finish off my day? Yes, please!
Chapter 69
Andrea
Luci and El finally made up several weeks ago. There’s a small sparkle that’s back in her eyes now that she’s able to put the drama aside and enjoy her pregnancy.
Currently, we’re at the store, preparing for her baby shower and putting together our baby registry. Something else that makes her eyes sparkle.
I stand with Enzo, watching Luci and El pick out clothes for our son. No matter how many clothes James gives El, she never misses an opportunity to grab more. Something about taking advantage of grabbing a variety of sizes while we have time and energy.
El glances over at me, smiling while she dramatically scans the green blanket in her hand. At this rate, we’ll spend all day here, giving me the perfect opportunity to befriend Enzo. “El and Luci seem to be having fun shopping for the baby. I’m noticing a few things for Gia in their cart. Do you have any children?”
Enzo tilts his chin up, finding that Luci has wandered behind a rack of clothes. He always needs to have eyes and ears on Luci. “No. Unfortunately, I was never given that opportunity.”
His eyes go dark, filled with sorrow and anger that I can’t quite pinpoint. There’s a story behind that. One that haunts him. One that I’m not sure he will ever tell anyone. Nothing good comes from holding a secret that big.
All I’ve learned about Enzo is that he started working for Geno in Italy about a decade ago, then came to America when Alessandro moved here. Knowledge about his past is vague, limited to his prior work in Washington, DC, and the US military before that. Training that has made and still makes him the perfect bodyguard.
El makes her way over to me, wrapping her arms around my neck to kiss me. Normally, I’d pull her close until her body presses against me. Unfortunately, our son tends to get in the way these days.
“Are you having fun with Luci?”
“Am I having fun shopping? Of course I am. Do you even know who I am? Oh!” Our son gently kicks, showing us he’s having fun too. She giggles as I kiss where her neck meets her collarbone. Our bliss is broken by his signature, annoying voice.
“I guess the rumors are true. Eleanora Gallo, pregnant out of wedlock. To the guy who plays dress up, nonetheless. I heard you two are engaged. Did that come before or after the pregnancy? There’s no shame in admitting that’s the reason behind the proposal.” No one other than our internal circle knows who created my son. I could only imagine the comments we would receive, specifically from that voice. When we turn our heads, he’s leaning against the store display, his default cocky expression spread across his face. He’s wearing navy pants, a white shirt, and a gray blazer. Either he’s coming from work, or that’s his signature preppy style. Neither would surprise me.
“Giovanni. What the fuck could you possibly want?” El sneers, and Enzo notices. For a moment, he switches his focus, hopefully taking in Giovanni’s features. By the time Giovanni speaks again, Enzo’s attention has switched back to Luci.
He pushes off the display, taking two steps toward El. He better not take one more step in those last-season shoes. “I want a lot of things. Most recently, getting laid lands at the top of my list, but unfortunately, I’ve been surprisingly unsuccessful. I heard from a colleague earlier in the workweek that my name was plastered on a social media page that warns other women in Pennsylvania about certain men. She said the post called me ‘a sexist, cheating, body shaming pig that deserves to have his tiny balls and even tinier dick served to him for dinner.’ That sounds like something you would say.” Enzo coughs while smiling, attempting to cover up his laughter. The quote Giovanni mentioned screams El. I’ll need to talk to her about this.
“Whoever said that, whether it was me or not, was correct on all accounts. Maybe you cheated with or on the wrong girl.” El stands in front of me, holding one of my hands in hers as she stands up to her ex. I couldn’t be more proud of her than at this moment. It’s about time she gains her power back from Giovanni.
“This is only a small setback. I only need a Saturday night in a bar to get everything back to normal.” Giovanni leans in, whispering in El’s ear loud enough for me and Enzo to pick up what he says. “And don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll lose the pregnancy weight.”