Asking Harrison was out of the question, too, considering how he felt about me. It would’ve been a raunchy thing to do.
It didn’t matter. I didn’t even want to think of it again.
“Keely,” I said. “Don’t apologize for something you didn’t do. And I understand why she feels that way.”
“Not entirely, but still. It’s not right. You have to know thatIwould never feel that way.”
“I do.” I stood taller and kissed her cheek. “Now go take your seat. I think we’re about to start.”
Stop fidgeting. Stop fidgeting. Stop fidgeting. Stop fidgeting.
After Keely had gone, it was all I could do. I kept fidgeting with the cross in front of the bouquet.
Uncle Tito came out of the doors, and when he saw me, he stopped. He placed a hand over his heart and mimicked the beating. Fast. I had fallen in love with him just as much as I had fallen in love withNonno.
After Capo and I had returned from our walk in the groves, he said he had business to attend to and that I should get a good night’s sleep. I couldn’t. So I sat around with the family and enjoyed another hour or so with them.
Before I got up to leave, Uncle Tito had taken a seat next to me. He took my hand, held it close to his heart, and asked if I would give him the honor of allowing him to walk me down the aisle.
My mouth had fallen open.
How had he known?
I caught Capo’s shape in the distance. It almost seemed blue from all of the torches surrounding us. He had been watching us.
“It would be my honor,farfalla,” Uncle Tito had said, calling mebutterflyin Italian. “Because my wife and I were not gifted with the ability to have children, I will never have the chance to walk a daughter down the aisle. This would mean a great deal tome.”
My answer came in the form of the bone-crushing hug I’d given him. He was an angel disguised as a doctor.
“Farfalla,” he breathed, bringing me back to the moment. “I am thankful to God for one blessing on this day. That I have eyes that see you in this moment.” He took my hand and kissed my knuckles softly. “It is a great honor to be at your side.”
No one had ever touched me deep enough to make me cry out of happiness. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because this one, small man had touched me that deep, or if I was starting to soften because my feelings were not buried as deep as they once were. I wasn’t as afraid of them getting bruised and battered, used and tattered, twisted into something nasty and horrible. Something owed.
My time in Italy had changed me.
My time withhimhad changed me.
A soft voice in the church began to sing.
It was time.
I took a deep breath in and sighed it out.
Uncle Tito lowered my veil before he offered me his arm. I looped mine with his, using his strength to keep me upright.
Hundreds of people.
Hundreds.
All watching.
Waiting.
To see me.
The doors to the church opened, and hundreds of people stood. When we took a step forward, a collective, soft gasp seemed to fill the air.
All eyes were on me.
