81

LORENA

I had no solutions and was tempted to beg someone, anyone to help us. But the people at this table were the reason we were in this predicament.

Well, except Zia.

I swallowed hard, reining in all the control left within me. Don’t lose your shit. Don’t lose your shit.

“Let’s go get a bath and then bedtime,” I told my son, placing the napkin onto the table and got up. I’d changed into white jeans and an emerald green t-shirt for dinner.

I refused to go all out for these men, but both Ella and I agreed, we shouldn’t show up to dinner wearing yoga pants. Although it was awfully tempting.

I kicked off my high heels, ready to pull Matteo out of his high chair. No sense in strutting around the house in high heels. I wasn’t a trophy wife.

“Here, let me try,” Alessandro offered. Before I could object, he picked up Matteo’s fork and continued, “Okay, Matteo. I know veggies are kind of gross. But let’s dip them into the sauce, and it makes them taste better.”