He nodded.
“I think you love your father as much as he loves you, but your male egos are getting in the way,” I told him, pointblank.
He went quiet, like he was torn between defending himself and stomaching what I just said.“That’s not true.”
I leaned into him, lips almost brushing.“You know it is.”
A thick silence fell in place between us.Our lips were almost brushing, but we never quite kissed.It was as though we were content with reveling in the art of near-touch.
“We should get ready.”
****
The dinner was beinghosted on the villa’s patio.I knew that Sofia and Lillian would have something to say, as usual, because Luciano and I were running late.
The pathway that led to the patio was lined with golden candles, illuminating it down to where the table was.The open space was decorated with vibrant flowers and soft lighting.The luxurious table reminded me of a royal feast.
Papa was at the edge of the table, clad in a black tuxedo.He cleaned up nice with his gray hair perfectly slicked back.My evil stepmother was draped in a fancy red evening dress that complemented her signature red lipstick, with her hair in a tight French twist.Sofia went all out with her beaded golden dress, luscious, bouncy curls, and flawless nude, dewy makeup.She looked like she was about to walk the runway.Her fiancé, whom I had come to know as Adriano, wore a fancy dark gray suit and left his brown hair in a stylish mess.
The look in his eyes as I approached the table kept me on edge.It was glazed with unbridled lust and something sick.I wasn’t about to pretend that I hadn’t noticed it since I arrived.
Well, there goes your perfect fiancé, sisterly.
Luciano’s arm rested on my lower back, firm and possessive like he was sending off a warning to everyone who cared to listen.Was it weird that a man I just met made me feel safer than people I had known for years?
“Ah, here I thought we were going to starve before you arrived.”Lillian made a snide comment.She was still salty about our altercation this afternoon.
“My fiancée and I apologize for keeping you all waiting.”Luciano smiled sweetly.
Lillian huffed and looked away.
“Good evening, Papa.”I kissed both his cheeks.
“Good evening,tesoro.You look beautiful.”He flashed me a warm smile.I blushed.
Luciano drew out a seat for me on the right side of Papa at the table.He took his seat next to me.
“Shall we?”Papa grinned.
“Yes,” we chorused.
He beckoned the chefs who came in and served us our appetizer for the night.By the time they were done, everyone had a tantalizing plate of bruschetta—a chunky slice of garlic bread, topped with tomatoes, olive oil, salt, cured meat, vegetables, and rich dark sauce drizzling—before them.We dove in immediately.
“So, Papa, Adriano and I have planned to have the wedding here at the villa.We want to get it done quickly, as we are so excited to spend the rest of our lives together.That means we’d have to extend our stay here.”Sofia casually dropped the bombshell, dipping a forkful of bruschetta into her mouth.
“What does that mean?”I frowned.
Luciano softly grabbed my thigh like he was assuring me that he was there.
“Surely, you are not that slow, my dear.”Lillian smiled sweetly.
“I think that’s very beautiful, honey.”Of course, Papa would go on to act like he didn’t hear his wife blatantly insult me.
I scoffed.“I don’t know if you know this, but some of us have lives outside of our family.I have a career, Sofia.You can’t spring news like this on me and expect me to press pause on my job simply because I have to be stuck in Venice for your wedding.”
“I don’t know about you, Andrea, but I don’t plan on being the lord of the ring for months like you have been,” she sassed.I saw her mother grin in my peripheral vision.
I laughed.“Now you want to make this about me.My personal life is none of your business.Why don’t you—”
