Page 76 of The Don
I nod. “We’re going to stop in Rome and Naples on the way but yeah. I want to raise the baby near family, and he doesn’t have any family here. I mean, besides these guys.”
I look over my shoulder and see Salvatore walking between Giulio and Alfonso, Federico and Manuele and some of his other men helicoptering around them protectively.
“They are his family, huh?”
“Definitely,” Zoe says. “I mean, in a strange way.”
“Not so strange now,” Zahra adds. “For Giulio and Alfonso, I mean. Because they’re with us.”
I squint at her, and then my mouth falls open. “Zoe Christine, what the fuck did I miss?”
“Not you using my first and middle! But a lady never tells,” she says, lifting her nose in the air.
“You sure? Because I distinctly remember a very long and needlessly detailed story about anal sex that I didn’t even ask for,lady.” Zahra puts extra emphasis on that last word.
“That was purely educational,” Zoe says, smiling.
“Well, educate me on what happened between you and Alfonso,” I practically scream.
“Happening,” Zahra says. “We ran into them in the elevator last night and saw alotmore than we asked for.”
“Zoe, oh my God.”
“Calm down,” Zoe says. “No need to break my eardrums. All I will say is that Alfonso and I enjoy each other’s company, and we will be continuing to do so for the time being.”
This is music to Zahra’s ears, apparently, because she throws her head back to laugh.
My cousin’s words sting. “So, you— You’re staying in Italy?”
Zoe finally looks at me again as Zahra’s laughter fades away. “Yeah. I am. I’m just not ready to leave yet.”
“What about your job?”
Zoe shrugs. “Alfonso’s entire family is here, and I can do my job anywhere. My editor is salivating at me being based in Europe for a while.” She shrugs again, but this time, the smile is returning to her face. “Apparently, the only thing keeping me back home was my last relationship and my apartment. And since you’re going back, you and Sal can stay there as long as you need.”
I sigh, wanting to say something, but there’s nothing to say, not really. I can’t ask Zoe to come back to the States with me just because I want her to. We tried and failed with Zahra, and all those defenses still stand.
I turn to my other cousin. She’s beaming at me, not to rub it in but because she’s happy. “I’m still staying,” she says, even though I didn’t ask. “Giulio’s taking over for Sal. We’re going to look for a new apartment together. I’m eating my way through Italian pastries and desserts.”
“Are you going to work here?” Zoe asks.
“Nah. I’m very into the kept woman’s life of lust and leisure.”
“Oh, bitch, that’s a title. You should write a book,” Zoe says.
“Maybe I will. And since you’re going to be very close by, you can help.”
“Or not. But if you’re good, I’ll convince Alfonso to invite you to Positano for research. His brother has a boat.”
“Deal!” Zahra squeals.
“Yay, and since we’re agreeing…”
“Here we go,” Zahra mutters under her breath.
“I need you to convince Giulio to give Alfonso a week’s vacation.”
“Did he ask?”