His thumb traces my cheeks, following the tears as they slip down my cheeks. “They make all women cry,” he says with a laugh. Gesturing to Lucia, Autumn, and both of their mothers who are all crying hysterically.
Lanterns flicker to life as the ceremony ends, casting a soft golden light over the sand just as the moon drifts up to greet us. Music filters in from somewhere behind us everything turning everything even more romantic.
“Do you think they’ll make it?” I ask, watching them dance with Gio on the sand.
“If anyone can, it’s them.”
“Do you believe in love?” I ask him, my heart clenching inside my chest.
“I didn’t…” He smiles. “… until I met you.”
My heart flips at his revelation.
“I never had time for love, but now, now I wish for it,” I admit, slowly dragging my gaze upwards until I’m lost in those deep seas of blue.
“Mindy,” he says quietly, like he’s afraid the night might overhear. “No need to wish for something that’s already here.” He takes my hands, brushing his lips over the back of them with ease.
The beach, the laughter, the music. It all blurs.
“It is?” I ask, my voice barely coming out a whisper.
He nods, eyes shining with vulnerability. “Yeah, I know we just met, but I’ve fallen deeply in love with you. I know it sounds crazy, but I know in my heart it’s true. I just didn’t want to say anything because I thought I’d scare you away.”
My heart pounds so hard it feels like it might explode inside my chest. “I love you too,” I say, voice way too shaky. “I tried to fight it, but I just can’t anymore.”
Something breaks open in his expression. Something fierce and tender all at once. He pulls me closer, resting his forehead against mine, and for a moment the entire world shrinks down to the space between our breaths.
We fall harder right there, without even moving.
Rich and I join the others, walking up to them hand in hand. They’re all sitting at some tables, wine flowing like it’s on tap, glasses clinking together as their laughter spills into the Italian night sky.
Amber sweeps through the crowd, dragging Eddie along by the hand, both of them glowing like there isn’t anything that can drag them down.
“Mindy, Rich, over here!” she calls. “You need to meet my people.”
She introduces Luca first and then his beautiful wife, that’s proudly cradled in his arms. “This is Bianca,” Amber says. “She’s the nurse who stole his heart.”
“And my last name,” Luca adds, grinning.
“Luca and I sorta had a thing for a while,” Amber admits, the wine obviously getting to her. “But then I told him that the pretty little nurse was perfect for him, and the two have been together ever since.”
Bianca laughs, hand resting on her stomach. “And now we’re pregnant.”
“And now you’re pregnant,” she agrees. She lifts her wine glass. “To the baby.”
“To the baby,” we all shout.
Amber turns to the woman who officiated their wedding, standing elegantly in her long flowing yellow dress, with her husband proudly standing beside her.
“I’m so glad you guys could come. I’ve missed you all.” She slides a piece of paper into Lucia’s hand.
“Nonna Etti’s house is yours now.”
Lucia looks down at the paper and then back up at Amber in shock. “Are you serious?”
She nods. “She would’ve loved knowing it stayed in the family.”
“No more rent?”
