Uncle Tito put up a hand, and it was like he’d put up a wall between them. They were about to fight. I had a feeling it had to do with bruised egos and the fact that they were screwing with each other’s names. I felt bad, though, because the bruised egos came from me. When the topic came up about who was going to walk me down the aisle, since Nonno was going to sing while I walked, both brothers offered at nearly the same time. Mariano’s offer came a second before Marciano’s. I could see the indecision in Maestro’s eyes. He wanted to offer, but probably figured I had two offers already.
As I’d looked between the two brothers, the tension became so thick, I’d lied and said I’d appreciated the offers, but I was going to walk myself. I’d noticed the look in Matteo and Brando’s eyes. It was like both men knew it was a lie. Maybe the brothers did, too, but it didn’t stop them from trying to one up each other, like maybe I’d change my mind if one of them did something nice enough for me.
The tension between them, again, was making me nervous. I didn’t want to have to choose between them. I thought maybe asking each one to take an arm would be a good solution, but that didn’t seem to be any better. It was one or the other.
“Leave,” Uncle Tito ordered. “Both of you. Now.”
Mariano looked at Marciano, and the brothers shook their heads.
“Outplayed by the ancient gangster,” Mariano said.
“He’s like a charm,” Marciano said.
The door shut quietly behind them.
Uncle Tito took my hand, forcing my attention on him. “This family loves you,” he said.
“I know,” I barely got out. “That was why I didn’t want to pick. I love them too.”
He smiled. “Will I do?”
“Are you asking me if you can walk me down the aisle?”
“It would be the honor of my life. I’ve walked a few legendary brides down the aisle, and they have become the daughters of my heart. My wife and I were not blessed with children, but somehow, we have been. And Brando thought I would look the best on your arm. Even better than him.” He winked.
I laughed through tears. “Yes,” I whispered while trying not to sob. “Yes. You will!”
He hugged me goodnight, and after a long, hot bath, I fell asleep and had lavender-scented dreams.
Chapter 30
Stella
Breathe in, breathe out. Don’t pass out! How would that look?! Slow your breathing. In and out. In and out. Take them slower. A little slower. Not as panicked, like you’re gasping for air! Okay, a little better. No, slower, Stella! Keep it together, or you’re not going to be able to walk down the aisle.
That’s it.
Slow and steady wins the race, like that book mom used to read said.
Think of Matteo…no, maybe not.
My pulse feels like it’s going to jump out of my skin.
No, think of him.
He’s waiting! And from what everyone says, not so patiently.
Okay, I don’t feel as weak, but my pulse and heart rate are still on the run. Just the thought of him is keeping me on my feet…
Not even the mental rhapsody I had going on inside of my head was helping to keep my feet solid on the floor. I wanted to keep tapping my heels, like they could hypnotize me into not being so anxious. It wasn’t that I was nervous about getting married.
I wanted to run down the aisle and marry him. I could feel a string in my heart being pulled, and it was leading me straight to him.
There was a certain protocol I needed to follow, though. A lot of his higher-ranking family members were attending this wedding.Come to sniff you outwas what Juliette had told me. It was the first time they’d be meeting me, and I guess they would approve of me…or not?
No pressure or anything, right?
Carmen, Dario’s wife, had told me that the family loved an impassioned show. If we didn’t move them, they might not approve.
