Page 92 of Irreplaceable

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Ipeered through the peephole and immediately jerked my head back. What was she doing here? I hadn’t been expecting Val for another few days.

Harper would be home any minute, and I’d been looking forward to another round of mind-blowing sex now that she’d talked to her doctor about the cramping. Instead, I opened the door and kissed Val’s cheeks.

“Hey. This is a surprise.”

“You wouldn’t answer my calls, and we need to talk.” I felt a twinge of guilt, but then she gestured toward the end of the hall.

Mamma was walking toward us, pulling a suitcase behind her. My eyes widened. Merda.

“What’s she doing here?” I hissed.

Val placed her hands on her hips. “I thought maybe she’d have a better chance of talking some sense into you.”

“Val,” I chided, but then Mammacaught sight of me, and I smiled. “Mamma!What a lovely surprise.” I kissed her on both cheeks before giving her a hug.

I glared at Val over my mom’s shoulder. What was she thinking? The season was in full swing, and I had enough going on as it was. Harper and I were finally in a good place again, and I didn’t want to blow it.

“Are you in town long?” I asked.

“That remains to be seen,” Mamma said, glancing around as if searching for something.

Was she wondering if Harper was here? Mamma didn’t typically read the tabloids, but I knew someone would tell her about my “Americano,” as they’d dubbed Harper. Which was why I’d called Mamma last week to check in and tell her about Harper myself. I hadn’t told her about the baby, but that was news best saved for in person.

“Would you like something to drink?” I asked.

“An Americano, perhaps?” Val offered.

I gnashed my teeth. “Or a water.”

“I’d prefer something more Italian. A caffé, please.”

I tried not to react to her dig and called down to the front desk and asked for it to be delivered along with something for Val and me. The coffee had barely arrived when they launched into their intervention or whatever the hell this was. Bring it on.

“Lorenzo,” Mammasaid. “How are you liking your new team?”

I set my cup on the coffee table. “Very much. I’m excited about the season. We have good chemistry.”

“Mm.” She sipped her espresso and then held it in her lap. “And I suppose the woman you’re seeing had nothing to do with your decision to transfer.”

“I’d be lying if I said she didn’t. But ultimately, I did what was best for my career. I always do.”

She nodded slowly, and I was surprised by how quiet Val had been so far. Had they discussed this beforehand? Decided on a strategy? It wouldn’t have been the first time they’d ganged up on me to persuade me about something since Dad died. But it was the first time I knew with certainty I wouldn’t budge.

“Lorenzo,” Val said, and it felt as if she was making a point of saying my full name. “Mammaand I came to visit because we are—”

“Concerned,” Mammasaid. “We are concerned, figlio mio. We are afraid you are allowing this…woman to influence you.”

I laughed, but the sound was mirthless. “Surely you know me better than that. And besides, you haven’t even met Harper.”

“No, but…” Val glanced at Mamma. “We know her type. We’re just trying to save you from another Giada.”

I clenched my fists. “Harper is nothing like Giada. And I do mean nothing.”

Mammaclicked her tongue just as I heard the lock disengage. I tried to calm myself, hoping to defuse the situation before Harper sensed the tension in the room.

“Enzo, I’m—” Harper froze in the doorway, glancing around at the unfamiliar faces, until she came to mine. “Back. Um, hi.”

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