Page 49 of Hello Goodbye Amore

“Once you come back, I want to see about you taking over this entire project. I need someone I can count on to see it through to the end.”

Chase cleared his throat. “I’m willing to do that as long as I can manage the project from here.” Tio squeezed Chase’s fingers. “See, Dave, I’m getting married.”

“And let me guess. The person you’ve met is there.”

“Dave, the person I met is the head of Glorioso. Antonello and I knew each other in college, and we have rekindled our feelings for each other. I’d like to keep my job with Smithson, but I’d need to do it from over here.”

“Congratulations,” Dave said with sincerity.

“I understand if that isn’t going to work. You probably need to talk things over with the higher-ups and discuss what you want to do. But I will be staying here.”

“What if that isn’t going to work?”

“Then Chase will come to work for us,” Tio cut in. “We are looking to expand our presence in the US, and we will use his skills to build up our business there.” He grinned. “So either way, he will come out on top, but I think it would be a shame for you to lose someone of Chase’s talents.” He left the office, closing the door between them to let Chase finish up his call.

He got to work and waited for Chase to come in once he was finished. “Are you serious? You make me a job offer without talking to me about it first?”

“I did no such thing. I just ensured that Smithson will want you and will probably be looking to give you a raise. They’re like boys with toys. They only want something when someone else wants it too. Besides, if they are dumb enough to let you go, then we will figure something out.”

Chapter 21

RICKY SATon the sofa, looking up at Chase with huge eyes filled with confusion. “Is Mr. Nello my daddy?” He chewed his lower lip. Chase had done his best to try to explain what was going to happen.

“No. I’m still your daddy, and like I told you before, I always will be. You know that I’m also your uncle because your mommy is my sister. And back in college, Mr. Nello and your mother loved each other. So he is your father.” His head ached.

“And now Mr. Nello loves you and you love him?” Ricky asked, and Chase nodded. “So you’re going to get married.”

“Yes. And your grandmother is going to be there, and she is going to be coming over here to see you.” He smiled, hoping that this wasn’t too much for him. “She’ll be here tomorrow.” He had spent the past week trying to figure out what to say to Ricky and just basking in the warm glow of Tio’s love and care. It had been a whirlwind both at work and here. Tio’s parents had invited them again for dinner, and Contessina had been less reserved. She wasn’t exactly warm, but maybe some of the frost was starting to melt, at least as far as Ricky was concerned. Tio’s father really seemed to be taken with grandfatherhood, and Ricky adored him in return.

Ricky sat for a few seconds. “Yay. Can I make a picture for her?”

Chase shrugged. He had expected more questions. “Sure. Go make pictures for everyone.”

Ricky slid off the sofa and hurried away, and Chase sighed happily. “We need to go in half an hour,” he cautioned Ricky. “We’re having dinner at Isabella’s. And you can play for a while.”

“Okay.”

Chase felt damned lucky.

A knock sounded, and Chase let Tio inside. “What’s going on? You look stressed.”

“No. I’m fine. I think I explained things to Ricky, and he’s off drawing pictures. How are you?” he asked, and Tio kissed him.

“Better now,” he said softly. “Paolo called, and he’s going to join us for dinner. He’s bringing Gemma.” Tio was pleased. “I think this is really serious. He’s dated girls before, but they always passed through. Gemma seems to be sticking.”

“That’s great,” Chase said.

“Then why so tense?” Tio asked.

“Did you forget that my mother is arriving tomorrow? I have done my best to explain things, but….”

“She still sees me as I was in college,” Tio said. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. We are not the same. We have lived life since then. Your mamma will see that, and what she wants most is for you to be happy.”

“And you make me happy.” That was for damned sure.

“You also know that once the mothers get to know each other, they are going to start planning the wedding,” Tio added, and Chase growled. That was the last thing he wanted to think about at the moment. The amount of work… the decisions. “Just let them. My mother has been waiting for years to do this. Besides, I have it all worked out.”

“You do?” Chase asked.

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