All I Believe by Alexa Land Read Free Book Online Page B

with a see-through bathing suit is another thing entirely.”
    I told them the story of the disappearing lime green fabric, and they both had a good laugh. Jessie said, “The lime green thing is underwear. The turquoise thing was the bathing suit.”
    “Seriously? It was so tiny that it looked like a headband!”
    “Nico, your body’s perfect! You can pull off tiny Speedos. Not many people can.”
    “Thanks, but I’d prefer a bathing suit that doesn’t immediately tell the entire world I’m circumcised.”
    “Okay, fine. Tomorrow, we’ll use my credit card and go shopping. You can pay me back later.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I’m telling you, though, you won’t find your uniform.” Jessie turned to Fiona and changed the subject abruptly. “Are any of your cousins gay?” She pointed at me, and Jessie amended, “Besides Nico. I’m trying to find someone to hit on.”
    “What’s wrong with Nico?” she asked as she borrowed the drink I was holding, took a sip, and returned it to my hand.
    “He’s like my brother since we’ve both been living together at Nana’s house.”
    “I see.” She plucked a canape off a passing tray carried by a uniformed waiter. “I suspect that Matteo’s gay since I’ve never seen him with a woman, but it’s not like he talks about it with his family.”
    “Which one’s Matteo?” Jessie asked, standing up on tip-toe and scanning the crowd.
    “He was working tonight and couldn’t make it,” Fiona said.
    “Bummer. Hey, do you happen to know if there’s a gay bar in town?”
    “You’ll have to forgive my friend,” I said. “He’s on a single-minded quest to get laid on his vacation.”
    “I like the fact that you’re so open about your sexuality,” she told Jessie. “In answer to your question, I’ve heard there is, but it’s kind of like a, what do you call it? A speakeasy? There’s no sign out front, and I’m not sure where it’s located. I believe it’s more of a sex club than a nightclub. Maybe that’s what you’re after?” Jessie colored slightly and shook his head no. I thought it was sweet that he was so innocent.
    We chatted with Fiona about her job in banking, and Remy and his wife and kids joined us. A few minutes later, we were startled by a blood-curdling shriek from the back of the house. Jessie and I immediately took off at a run.
    When we got to the kitchen, we found Nana and her sister cursing at each other in Italian. Nonna looked a lot like Nana and was only a year younger, but she’d always dyed her hair jet black. Nana yelled in English, “I’m leaving! I won’t spend another minute in this house!”
    Nonna yelled after her in Italian, “Fine! See if I care!”
    My grandmother took off in a huff with Jessie and me right behind her. When Fiona saw we were leaving she grabbed her purse and joined us. “I need a drink,” Nana said. “One big enough to do the backstroke in.”
    “What was that about?” Jessie wanted to know.
    “I’ll tell you later. I’m too upset to talk about it now,” Nana said.
    Fiona drove us back to the hotel, and the four of us went straight to the bar. It was on the ground floor, facing the sea, and a light breeze drifted in through the wide-open panel walls. “Your grandmother’s going to be pissed that you came with us,” Nana told Fiona after we’d settled in at a table in the corner.
    “I know, but I only get to see you and Nico every few years, and she’ll forgive me once she calms down,” Fiona told her.
    Nana patted her hand. “You’re a good girl, Fi. Pretty, too. I don’t understand how come you’re single. What’s wrong with the men in this town?”
    Fiona shrugged and adjusted the short sleeve of her royal blue dress. “I think I’ve dated all of them by now and have run out of options. But that’s okay, I really don’t need a man to be happy.”
    “I cannot say the same,” Jessie murmured.
    “I been on my own a long time,” Nana said. “I don’t know if you heard, but