If I brought up his gunshot wound and suggested one of my brothers should carry me, Saverio, like my father, acted like I was calling him weak. A wheelchair? Out of the question. I was afraid one of them was going to bust something and bleed out.
Saverio gave me a look that meant he didn’t truly believe me. My stomach made a noise that said he should. Mari and I laughed as we moved toward the table. After Saverio set me down, I touched his face, and he leaned down to kiss me. Mari’s eyes were misty as she watched. She touched my face and went to take the seat Mac held for her.
The table was separated by sides. I sat next to mamma and papà. Saverio sat next to his parents. Papà and Mac sat across from each other. They nodded, like they were acknowledging what was taking place.Nonnosat at the head of the table, because of the situation. We sat in a formal lineup because of the arrangement.
What Saverio had said earlier made my stomach roll. Wouldnonnostop our marriage out of pride? Would he feel that Saverio went behind his back and stopped the plans he and I’d put into place? The arrangement with Elio Ascari?
My grandfather was a romantic, but he was ruthless, too.
Despite the unease, I ate until I couldn’t fit another bite into my stomach. I hadn’t been eating much. The doctor said the drug’s effects might linger. Lack of appetite was one of them. It felt good to finally enjoy food again. Then I sat back and watched as butterflies danced around my head. They were coming from Mariposa’s garden.
“The course of true love never did run smooth,”nonno’s voice reached me.
I blinked at him. “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” I whispered. That was how the night felt. Like a dream. Hazy, warm, and slow-moving.
“Art often imitates life, does it not?”
I nodded, about to respond, but was cut off.
“Life imitates art far more than art imitates life,” Saverio said. I knew he was quoting someone, but I couldn’t remember who.
Maybe because those butterflies were doing a million summersaults in the pit of my stomach. Saverio was going to try to match wits withnonno. This could go one of two ways—with a wedding deal sealed at the end of the meal, or with guns drawn.
In. Out. In. Out.I had to remind myself how to breathe.
“This is a discussion of the ages,”nonnosaid, taking a drink of his wine. “Chicken or egg—which came first. Which is greater—to be feared or to be loved.” He waved a hand. “Art or life—which imitates which more often.”
Saverio lifted his glass of wine. So didnonno. They both grinned before they took a drink.
“You’re going to need this,” Evelina breathed in my ear. She set a full glass of wine in front of me while she handed a folder tozioRocco.
He stood, cleared his throat, then tapped his glass with a fork. “I usually make these deals in my office. However, since Mia is my only niece, my goddaughter, and Saverio is my godson, I prefer to make this merger here. A warm setting, among family and friends.” He looked around the table. “If any man or woman is opposed to this arrangement, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
I snatched the wine glass and gulped some down. Mamma pounded me on the back when I started coughing. Once the noises I made faded, the entire table became quiet. The music in the background became louder in the silence.
ZioRocco nodded. “Mia and Saverio have already set the terms. They are quite simple.” At this, he looked at Mari and Mac.
They both grinned.
Maybe they had an arranged marriage, and it was more complicated? I glanced at Saverio, and he nodded. He must have read the question on my face. Our eyes held as zioRocco read over our terms, like he was reading wedding vows.
It hit me then—how much I didn’t know about Saverio Macchiavello, and how much I did. Over the years, we’d kept in touch. Writing letters. Texting. Talking about everything and nothing.
What’s your favorite song?
He came back with a song I had to look up.
You like old music,I’d texted back.You like old-man music!I had laughed so hard that it took me a minute to check my phone again.
Classic is the word I think you’re looking for.
Still, we had never truly spent meaningful time together.
Somehow, though, I knew him better than I knew anyone else. It scared and thrilled me all at once.
“Mia.”
“Hmm?” I looked atzioRocco.
