“What you did to me, it sucked. It was so painful and unexpected, and it took me a really long time to get over. But I did, Marco. I got over you. Little by little, I started to take my heart back. Started taking back all the things you took from me.”
I knew he wanted to say something, but he remained silent.
“I loved you. You know I did. I gave you everything. All of me. Now, I took back my heart all on my own, but it just occurred to me that you still have something I need back. So, I’m here to collect it. But, if you utter a word of this to anyone—ANYONE, Marco—I will tell Alessandro that you took my virginity two days before I found you with Gina. Capisce?”
Marco nodded, slightly terrified. He should be. My brother would kill him.
“You’re not going to kick me in the nuts, are you?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
Then, before I lost my nerve, I grabbed his shirt, pulled him against me, and kissed him. For a few seconds, all the old feelings rose up between us. The fireworks, the butterflies, the desire to rip his clothes off. All of it. Then, after a few more seconds, I thought about Liam. About how he looked at me this afternoon and how he always knew how to make me smile, and mostly about how much more he deserved my passion. Then suddenly, I felt nothing. When I pushed Marco away, I knew I was done with him.
“What was that?”
Grinning, I was bouncing with happiness.
“Sorry. You had my spark. I needed it back. Have fun at the festival tonight.”
Then, I left the office and ran home. It felt like I was floating on air. I was glad I was alone in the apartment. I hummed as I showered and was excited that Francesca had come home so she could help curl my hair. She had made me a special dress for tonight. She had every year since she had gotten her sewing machine.
“You look gorgeous, Izzy. Really. I don’t think I have ever seen you this happy before.”
I kissed her cheek and spun around. My dress was white and with a big floral print that ran over the top and along the bottom of the skirt. It was cut low in the front, not too revealing but enough that Papa was annoyed when he saw me trying it on a few days ago. Francesca had tailored it to me and it hugged my curves beautifully. The floral print reappeared around the hem of the skirt, which ended with a small flare just a bit at my knees. We had gathered my hair into a loose ribbon and it fell over one shoulder. Liam had said he liked my neck and I wanted him to have some access to it.
“I’ve never been this happy before.”
My mother rushed into the house, telling us the festival was starting and she had forgotten to bring the extra tablecloths for the tables. When she saw me, she stopped, her eyes wide.
“Isabella, you look stunning. This boy, he must be special.”
Tears reached my eyes, and I nodded.
“He really is, Mama.”
She rushed over and hugged me. I felt tears fall down my cheeks. My heart was so full and happy. It was the time to cry, I realized. To let the past go and start moving forward. With Liam.
My mother shook her head.
“No crying! You’re messing up your makeup.”
Grabbing a napkin, she dabbed my eyes.
“I’ll fix it, Mama. You better go.”
She jumped as if remembering why she had come home to begin with. She grabbed the tablecloths and then took a rose out of the vase. Liam brought roses to her now every time he picked me up.
“Put this in your hair.”
Then my mother rushed outside and yelled back at me, “And hurry! Your young man is here!”
My eyes widened, and my sister quickly fixed my makeup and tucked the rose in my hair before pushing me toward the door.
“He’s way better than Marco, Izzy. Now, go show him off.”
Liam was leaning against his car and looked more handsome than ever. He was wearing jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a gray fitted blazer. There was a flower in his hand, but he dropped it when he saw me. I smiled.
