Page 286 of Valentino

“I’m in town, I’ll come and see you. Where are you?”

Shit….

“Right now. . .” I glance around the restaurant, “I’m in Trattoria having lunch.”

“Who are you with?”

“I’m alone.”

“Great. I’m around the corner. See you soon.”

I tidy up the table, refill a glass of wine for her, and just two minutes later she breezes through to the table. “Is that my best friend?” She laughs as she pulls me into a hug.

“Oh.” I hug her tight. “It’s so good to see you.”

She sits down and takes her sunglasses off and looks over the table. “You hungry, babe?”

I giggle. “Long story, but I hope you are.” I pass the plate over to her.

“I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see you.” She takes the plate from me. “I have something exciting to tell you.”

“You do?”

She opens her jacket and my eyes widen as I see a small baby bump.

“What?” I gasp. “You’re pregnant?”

“Sshh.” She looks around. “We’re trying to keep it a secret.”

“Oh my God.” I laugh and get out of my chair and dance around to her side of the table to pull her into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.” She gets all teary. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”

“Nobody knows?” I whisper.

“Only my mom.”

I sit back down as excitement thrums through me. “I can’t believe it, how far along are you?”

“Four months.”

“Four months?” I shriek.

“Sshh.” She looks around. “Somebody will hear you. This is probably the last time I will be out and about for a while.”

“You’re not telling anyone at all?”

“No. Giuliano is worried that I’ll be a target.”

My face falls.

“It’s okay.” She smiles and grabs my hand over the table. “I’d rather be at home anyway.”

“Right.” I nod as I watch her, I can’t imagine how overbearing Giuliano in protective father mode would be. “So how have you been feeling?”

“Good, a little sick for those second six weeks, but all in all—” she shrugs, “—we’re just excited.

“Do the boys know?”