The boy inclined his head as he considered that. “Johnny has mostly stopped bullying kids since we’ve been back from winter break.”

“That’s good.” Gabe was impatient to know how Andrew felt about him but understood he needed to give the kid time. There might not be an easy answer to moving past the pain he’d caused, but he refused to give up. “Are you and Johnny friends?”

Drew made a face. “Heck, no. Somebody said Johnny doesn’t even change his underwear but once a week. That’s gross.”

“It sure is.”

“But we’re not enemies no more either.” The boy’s brows furrowed together. “I guess I’d like to be your friend again if you’re staying in town.”

“I am,” Gabe said. He reached out and squeezed the boy’s arm. “And no matter where you go in life or what happens with me and your mom, I’ll be here for you, Drew. You’re a special kid.”

“You first told me I was annoying.”

“That was also a mistake.” Gabe grimaced. “Let’s stick with special, okay?”

“Yeah.” Suddenly Andrew grinned, and to Gabe it felt like the sun popping out from behind a dark cloud, bright and warm on his skin. “I taught Princess to roll over.”

“I’d like to see that.”

“Only if Mom says it’s okay that you come over. If not, I’ll have to bring Princess to visit you ’cause Mom was real sad after you left. I don’t want her to be sad again.”

“Me neither.” Gabe pushed down the regret that rose in him like a noxious weed. He had to focus on making things better with Angi, not all the crap he’d done wrong. That was a sure road to ruin. “I was actually on my way to Il Rigatone to see her.” He straightened. “Maybe you want to come with me so she knows you and I are square? That might get me some points with her, you know?”

Andrew shook his head, and Gabe did his best not to be wounded. Baby steps. The boy didn’t seem to hate him anymore, so that was at least a win.

“Mom’s not at the restaurant,” Andrew explained. “She isn’t working there anymore.”

“What?”

“Nonna’s selling it and going to Florida, although she’s not gonna see Johnny’s dad. I asked her and she called him a bad word in Italian.”

Gabe blinked, his mind reeling from all the information he’d just received. “Where is your mom?” he asked, focusing on what was most important.

“The Wildflower Inn. It’s some girlie baby shower today with lots of pink food and pink decorations. Too much yucky pink.”

“That’s good to know, Drew.” Gabe blew out a breath. He didn’t exactly relish showing up at the inn, where he was sure to have to face Emma and Mariella if he was going to have a chance to talk to Angi alone. Surely there would be lots of groveling to her friends, which hadn’t been part of his plan.

He wanted to talk to her. He’d wasted too much time being a fool already.