Page 27 of Hello Goodbye Amore

Chase met Antonello’s heated gaze, speechless.

“Tio…,” he started softly. “I’m really not sure if this is such a good idea.

We’re working together, and….” He set down his fork.

“You left after college because of your duty to your family. And as far as I can see, nothing has changed. I know you care for me, that is obvious, and I care for you, but the duty that is so ingrained in you, the one you put most everything in your life on hold for, is still there, and I don’t want to be the one to get hurt.

” His chest ached just saying the words, but he had to.

There was no other choice. “I’m here for a few more months, and then I’m supposed to go back to the US. ” He tried to keep his voice level.

Antonello nodded slowly. “Maybe you’re right and this thing between us is some sort of fantasy, some holdover from our college days that was suppressed and is coming forward.

But it feels right, and nothing has for me in a very long time.

And I know you’re here for a limited time, but I’d rather spend it with you and Ricky than apart.

If you don’t feel the same, then I’ll understand.

What I did back in college wasn’t right, and I know I can’t just turn my back on my family. ”

“I just don’t see how this can go anywhere, no matter how much I might wish it could.” The words felt like broken glass on his tongue. “Part of me says to walk away, and yet….” Damn, even saying the words was so fucking hard.

“Then don’t.” Antonello’s eyes filled with hurt, and Chase could feel his resolve wavering.

“I’ve been happier these past few weeks, with you, than I have in a long time, and I need some time to try to figure this out.

My family is important to me, but….” He paused, and Chase held his breath.

“So are you. And I know I can’t keep living like this.

I have to figure out a way to tell my parents who I really am. ”

Chase nodded slowly. “I understand. It wasn’t easy to tell my parents, but I couldn’t live a lie any longer. And if I’m being honest, I don’t think you can either. I saw how free and happy you were this weekend.”

“I was.” Antonello shifted his weight from foot to foot. “My parents are so traditional and set in their ways.”

Chase snickered. “There is at least one person who isn’t.

The one who had the vision to start a whole new division of the company business, the one who branched out and took a chance.

I know a lot of us tell our mothers first, and I have never met your parents, but maybe you should have a talk, one on one, with your dad.

” God, he hoped to hell his logic was correct.

“I’ll give it some thought,” Antonello said, and Chase smiled. “Now I think we need to get back to work. I have a number of things I need to finish before I’m done for the day, and I bet you do too.” He pulled open the door between their offices. “Enjoy your lunch.”

Chase thanked him and went back to his tasks.

An hour later, well into the specs for another project that he was involved with, he picked up his phone when he got a text message. It was from Bianca, saying that Ricky wanted to know if it was possible to play with Santo and Gerardo. He’s been asking a lot.

Chase answered that he would arrange it and that he’d take Ricky to Isabella’s for dinner tonight. That should make Ricky happy, and it would mean that he didn’t have to cook, which was always a good thing, especially after a full day of work.

I will tell him , Bianca messaged, and after a few minutes, he received a bunch of smiley-face emojis. Chase figured his answer had been the right one. He smiled and put his phone aside, then finished up his tasks before getting ready to leave.

“Hey, we’re going to Isabella’s for dinner. Ricky wants to play with the boys, so I’m going to take him over. Are you available to join us?”

“Let me check,” Tio said, and after typing, he nodded.

“I can. I have a dinner with my family tomorrow that I must attend. My mother is holding a fundraiser for the Uffizi. There are some pieces that are expected to come up onto the market soon that the museum is hoping to add to the collection. Apparently they were scattered from the museum at some point in the past, and Mother is determined to get them back for Florence.” He continued typing for a minute and then closed his laptop and slid it into his Gucci bag.

Then he left the office. “Do you want to meet at Isabella’s in an hour? ”

“Perfect.”

“Good. I’ll call her to let her know we’re coming.” Tio grinned. “Ciao.” He strode down the hall and down the stairs to the first floor, with Chase following his bouncing buttcheeks the entire way. Outside, they parted ways and Chase headed home, where he greeted Ricky at the door.

Ricky practically bounded into his arms. “Hey, buddy.”

“I’m ready to go,” Ricky said, holding up a fabric bag.

“What’s that?”

“Legos. They don’t have any, so I brought mine.”

Chase loved that Ricky wanted to share. “How about you leave those here, and I’ll talk to Miss Isabella about letting the boys come over? You can play Legos then.” He could just imagine Lego obstacles spread all over the streets of Florence.

“But Daddy,” Ricky said, complete with lip pooch.

“Don’t try that. Now go get your shoes on,” he instructed, and Ricky half sulked back to his room as Chase checked in with Bianca before she got ready to leave.

She was a godsend, and he thanked her and paid her for the week.

Then she left, and Chase quickly changed his clothes before getting Ricky and heading out.

The walk to the restaurant was wonderful, the cool night air, complete with a breeze, almost perfect.

Ricky raced ahead as soon as the saw the restaurant.

The boys met him, and soon they were off playing soccer down the cobbled pedestrian street while Chase sat at the table with Tio, who poured him a glass of wine.

“I see you started without me.” He sat back, smiling as he sipped.

“I’m really beginning to think of this place as home.

It’s familiar now, and I’m starting to make friends.

” He raised a glass as Isabella came out.

He stood, and she greeted him with light kisses.

He was about to ask her what magic she had in store for them when she stilled, staring.

Then she whispered in Italian, and Tio turned, going white.

“Who is that?” Chase asked.

“My mother,” Tio answered as a woman who seemed dressed more for a theater opening than dinner glided down the street toward them. She passed the kids, who stopped playing. Ricky ran over and stood next to Chase. She approached Tio but didn’t take her gaze off Chase and Ricky.

“Antonello,” she said gently, standing next to her son, “you need to introduce me.”

He seemed shocked and didn’t speak at first. “Mamma, this is Chase Anderson and his son, Ricky.” She didn’t extend her hand or even say anything, but her gaze went to him, then Antonello, and back to him and Ricky.

He wondered what was going on behind her intense brown eyes, and he shivered slightly.

Her lips pursed slightly, and then her expression reverted back, almost exactly as it had been, except for pure determination.

Chase felt the blood drain from his head as fear settled in his gut.

The old fight-or-flight response was so real, and all Chase wanted to do was grab Ricky and get the hell away from her.