Savio sighed as though he knew that I would ask him that very question. “I’ve mentioned it to him. You don’t need to worry.”
There was something he wasn’t telling me. There was a gleam in his eyes that made me question his honesty. Had he truly spoken to his father? His father did know that we were together, and he’d discussed it privately with Savio, and things had seemed all right. Still, looking into his eyes at that exciting moment gave me pause. Darkness had passed over him the moment I mentioned his father—it had been that way since the wedding.
But I wouldn’t allow my thoughts to ruin the moment.
I stretched out my fingers, waiting for him to place the ring on my hand. It felt as though it couldn’t be done too soon. Savio was always taking his time, but he could see the persistence in my eyes, wanting him to place the ring on. If Angelo was okay with it, then I had nothing to worry about. Lucia had already spent weeks away at a beach, and Angelo had slightly loosened his hold on her once she was Romeo’s wife and mother to Angelo’s heir. It would take time, but I was sure that I would be given the same freedoms—even if it meant going along with the Cavetti siblings’ plan.
Savio pushed the ring onto my finger and admired it, his eyes lighting up as he took it in. The feeling that washed over me was something I could never describe—a mix of desire, love, and excitement, all at the same time. I bounced and clapped and laughed. It was all too much for me, and I didn’t know what to do. I pulled him close and threw my arms around him. Savio threw his arms around me, too, and lifted me off the ground. He spun me around a few times and planted his lips on mine. He held me up there, and I wanted to stay up there for as long as possible.
“I love you,” he said, his words falling heavy between us. “I don’t want you to ever question it again.”
“I won’t. I’ll love you forever.”
It was laterthat day that I found Chiara in the parlor room in the east wing. The night was upon us, and the moon was full in the sky, giving off a soft, silvery light. Marcello wasn’t with her, and I was glad he wasn’t. I wanted to tell her the news myself and without his intervention. She was sitting in a chaise lounge with a book in her hand. I didn’t recognize the book, and I was surprised to even see one with her. She read more than I did, but she hadn’t picked one up in a long time. I could only assume that it meant that she was growing more comfortable with our surroundings.
Her long hair flowed around her face, framing it perfectly as she kept her eyes on the pages. She didn’t even hear me approach. I was quiet, feeling bad for interrupting her. Marcello had already proposed to her, so I was sure that my engagement would come as a surprise. It was amazing, actually, that we could share in the happiness together. The more I’d gotten to know Marcello, the more I came to understand why they were together. He was kind to her, although he was still a little strange. I liked how normal Savio was compared to the rest of his family.
My hand was shaking as I held it behind my back as I entered the room. I cleared my throat and grinned when she lifted her eyes to mine. She always looked happy to see me. I was glad that we had such a close relationship. We’d met several twins who, although they looked alike, weren’t as close as we were. I always found that male and female twins had it the hardest. Growing up was always difficult for twins to do together.
“Hi,” she said, lowering the book to her side. “What’s wrong? You’re smiling like crazy right now.”
I walked toward her, bringing myself close. She raised her eyes to me, narrowing them as I approached. It had been a long time since she saw me smiling like an idiot. I jumped when I heard the footsteps approaching from behind me. I spun around and saw Lucia in the doorway. She was leaning against it, and her child was in her arms. He was as delightful as ever. He had perfect round cheeks and that signature dark Cavetti hair.
“What’s going on here?”
Chiara shrugged. “Not sure. Alessandra has something to say, I think.”
I felt my face getting red with embarrassment. Sure, I was ready to tell Chiara the news, but the moment I told Lucia, I knew it would get back to Romeo. I wasn’t even sure if Savio had told Romeo the news yet. It seemed as though it might be too soon—it had only been a few hours since Savio proposed. My hands began to shake as I glanced from one sister to the next. I wanted to tell Lucia, but I was nervous about word spreading. I didn’t want everyone to know without the okay from Savio.
“You have to promise you won’t tell anyone,” I said, still keeping my hand behind my back and turning toward the wall so that Lucia wouldn’t see what I was hiding. “Seriously. And Lucia, that includes Romeo. It needs to stay between us, for now.”
“Okay,” Lucia said, shifting Dante in her arms as she eyed me cautiously. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
She narrowed her eyes as any big sister would. I wasn’t surprised. Lucia was like Giorgio and Antonio—they always worried about me. I felt a pang of guilt in my chest at the thought. Antonio wouldn’t be there to hear the news. I hated the fact that I wouldn’t be able to celebrate with my older brother. Even just breaking the news to them seemed like it wouldn’t be the same without Antonio there.
Chiara noticed the change in expression and frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah,” I replied, my voice trailing off. “I’m just sad that Antonio isn’t here. He’s missing out on this and on meeting his nephew, Dante. It’s just that when we get together, it won’t ever be the same. It just makes me realize that all we have is each other now.”
I peered over to Lucia, who held Dante closer to her chest. I could tell that I had ruined the mood a little, but it also felt good to acknowledge him. He deserved to be mentioned on a day when I had great news to share with everyone. Even if it made us a little sad, it was worth it. Antonio deserved to be remembered, especially in the big moments in life.
“I know,” Lucia said and glanced down at Dante. “I wished he could’ve been here to meet him.”
“And to celebrate this,” I told her, lifting my hand out in the space between us all. I smiled broadly, tears filling my eyes. “Savio asked me to marry him.”
Chiara’s jaw dropped, and Lucia managed to bring a hand to her mouth. Both of them were awestruck, not that I could blame them. I hadn’t thought Savio would ever ask me. He was devoted as a boyfriend, but I was never sure if he wanted a family or even wanted to get married. We hadn’t discussed it, but it had never seemed like a viable option. We were both still so young, whereas Marcello, Romeo, and Lucia were all older than us.
“This is amazing. Congratulations!”
Chiara stood up and ran toward me, her arms outstretched. She nearly knocked the wind out of me with how hard she hit me with her warm hug. I relished the contact—it had been too long since we’d hugged. We’d all been so distant lately, and Lucia had been so busy with Dante that we’d all started keeping to ourselves. It felt nice to have us girls together, celebrating such a big moment in my life.
“I guess that means we’re all marrying Cavettis,” Chiara said and clasped her hands over her mouth. “I can’t believe it. I never would have thought this would happen.”
Lucia sighed as Dante cooed in her arms. “I just want you both to be careful.”
We both turned to Lucia, who, despite appearing happy for me, had a glint of worry in her eyes. I didn’t want her to worry, especially not while holding Dante. She didn’t need to be worried about my safety. So long as I was with Savio, I was safe. I knew that to be true.
