And you haven’t seen my new house yet. Stay the whole weekend if you want—it wil be just like old times.” Tony shot a pointed look at Gio.
“Umm. Yeah, maybe. I realy didn’t want to stay at Stuart’s. And” she turned toward Gio. “I’d hate to crowd you.”
Standing up, Libby announced her intention to use the ladies room. “Order me something to drink if I miss the waitress, okay?” She caled over her shoulder to no one in particular.
She did miss the waitress. Which was no surprise since the bouncy blond woman had been back to check on their table every five minutes anytime Gio was seated.
When he was on the dance floor John had taken to walking to the bar for their drinks—it was quicker that way. Of course, the waitress started with Gio—two glasses of the house white and she barely glanced at the others as they ordered. Tony asked for a glass of water, and a cherry coke extra cherry. When Libby sat back down she found a glass of wine and tumbler of soda in front of her chair. Tony wanted to punch the air and do a victory dance when she reached for the cherry coke. His elation lasted only a moment.
moment.
“Balare?” Gio murmured, covering Libby’s hand with his own. They shared a private smile and headed for the dance floor.
“Did you know Betta; I have a friend who owns a restaurant in New York?” Gio held Libby close moving slowly in time with the music, but mostly concentrating on her face.
“Oh? Did you want to take a trip to New York while you’re here? We should you know. It is prettier in the fal, but summer is good to.”
“Perhaps.” Gio studied Libby in a way that made her want to fidget. As if he was trying to come to a decision. “My friend, Elaine, she lives in New York now, but spends her winters at home in Italy. I have been thinking lately that I could adjust my schedule in a similar way. Perhaps six months here, and the fal and winter in Rome?”
Libby stared at him a little dumbfounded. “You want to spend six months out of every year in New York?” Gio took a deep breath. “No. I was thinking perhaps of North Carolina. I thought you would enjoy wintering in Rome.”
Realization dawned on Libby. Gio wanted them to be together. Here and in Rome. Certainly she would say something—just as soon as she remembered how to breathe.
“Ah, Mia Betta. I never had a chance did I?” Libby was stil too busy forcing air in and out of her lungs to manage an inteligent reply. “Hmm?”
“Against big brother over there, I never realy stood a chance did I?”
“What? No, of course you did—do! Of course you do. It’s just that is a big change for you to make, and I’m not sure… I do want to be with you, Gio.”
“No, Betta. I think you want to want to be with me.” Gio kissed her lightly and leaned his forehead against hers. “We could have been fabulous together, you know?” Libby sighed. “I just think we might need some time…”
“I thought so too. I knew someone here stil had a hold on you, but I admit that I had hoped the distance and time would have proven insurmountable—for him. It is alright. I see the way you look at each other, and I want you to be happy.”
“Tony. He doesn’t see me that way.” Libby admitted quietly.
“I think then, that he is an imbecile.” This made Libby laugh. “Do you remember meeting my Nona?”
“Of course.” The previous Fal Libby had been unable to shake homesickness. Rome was lovely, but no one celebrated thanksgiving. Gio brought her to his grandmother’s house. Where Nona had cooked a ful Thanksgiving dinner. Of course she served baked ziti and bruschetta along with her turkey, but Libby was realy an it’s-the-thought-that-counts kind of person.
“Did you know she was only married to my grandfather for 16 months before he was kiled?”
“How awful.”
“Don’t let her here you say that.” Gio smirked a little. “Nona figures she knew more love in those 16 months than some people ever know in al their lives. She says she is lucky. And she never remarried— she says some loves are forever.”
“That’s lovely. Sad, but lovely.” Libby whispered, thinking of Nona living on memories al those years.
“It is the kind of love I want to find for myself. I think I wil go to New York. In the morning.”
“Tomorrow!”
“Si. I have four weeks off and I said I wanted to see America. I wil come back before I return to Italy. And then I think we wil be fabulous together—as friends.”
“Thank you Gio.” Libby didn’t know what else to say.
“Thank you Betta, my American adventure. Come.