30. Gianna
Party time.
With my family, it’s always a huge to-do, but with this being Nonna’s ninetieth birthday, it’s even bigger than usual. My parents rented one of our favorite Italian places out in Newton where Nonna lives, and we’re currently waiting for the guest of honor.
My cousin Leo went to pick her up once everything was set up. Luckily, we didn’t have to provide too much food. Yeah, you’d think we wouldn’t have to worry about food at all since we’re at a restaurant, but while most of the menu was approved by Nonna, there are a couple of things that my mother has to make. Like eggplant parmesan, even though this restaurant has a perfectly acceptable one.
Things have been so busy this morning that I’ve had almost no time to think about the mess waiting for me back in Colorado. After our margaritas last night, I decided to hand my phone over to Simone and go tech free until tomorrow so I can try not to obsess over waiting to hear from Henry.
Well, maybe just until tonight after the party.
“Gianna, baby, have I told you how much I love this dress on you?” My Nonna comes up next to me, taking my hand in hers.
For ninety, she’s shockingly sprightly. She’s short, with a cheery, age-lined face, and she’s always smiling, but today she’s smiling even more than usual.
“Come, let’s chat.” She pulls me over to one of the less crowded tables, and we both take a seat. “Talk to me about Colorado.”
Trying to muster up a smile, I tell her about the job and Cam. The beautiful views and the people. When I finish, I realize I didn’t mention Henry once.
“Why are you so sad, bambina?”
“I’m not sad,” I reply quickly, not wanting to get into this on her birthday.
She just looks at me, eyebrows raised and a deep knowledge in her eyes. Not saying anything, she takes my hand in hers and gives me the space to talk.
So I tell her everything.
Not the sex stuff. But everything else that matters. At the end of it, I’m choking back tears and wondering how in the hell I’ve gotten myself into this situation.
I’m also thanking every God in existence that the rest of my family is preoccupied with food and gossip, so I don’t have to deal with their questions.
“I didn’t realize that I loved him. It wasn’t obvious to me until everything fell apart. Why couldn’t I just want to be with some finance guy who has his life together and no family drama.”
“First, love isn’t predictable, Gianna. You don’t always see when it’s coming. Sometimes you do, sure. But sometimes it comes out of nowhere, hitting you like lightning, and then you’re left grappling with the aftermath. It’s not always so easy, so simple. But it’s always worth fighting for. Are you going to fight for your love, Gianna?”
Her words touch something hidden deep inside me, cracking something loose, and a tear breaks free and slides down my cheek. I didn’t see Henry coming at all. He was everything I didn’t think I wanted. And so complicated. But now that I know—now that I’ve opened my eyes to the love I have for him—I’m not willing to let it go.
“Of course I am.” I give her a watery smile, squeezing her hand in mine. “What was the second part?”
“Hmm?” She looks around the room, a ghost of a smile on her face.
“You said first’, so I assumed there was a second.”
Turning her piercing eyes on me, she tells me the cold, hard truth. “Bambina, if any of your ex-boyfriends are any indication, ‘finance’ guys are exactly the opposite of what you should be going for. So if this Henry is the opposite of your usual, then I say run with it.”
My mouth drops open in shock, and I gape at my Nonna. She’s always been honest, to an extent, at least after my breakups. But hearing how she really felt about the guys I’ve been choosing all these years solidifies my choice.
Once the party”s over, I’m calling Henry again. I’ll leave him message after message, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll track him down once I’m back in Colorado and make him hear me out.
If there’s any way to fix my colossal screw-up, I’m going to find it.