“Holy shit!” With shock written all over her face, she says, “I don’t believe this.”
“Just give me a second,” I say, then I rush to get it all out, “I’ve been spending time with him, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with him all over again.”
Lie, Sienna. Lives depend on it.
“I want to marry him more than anything.”
I think that sounded believable.
I quickly check if Christiano is coming, and still not seeing him, I whisper, “He doesn’t know I have thanatophobia, but since I’ve been spending more time with him, it’s not as bad anymore.” My lie turns to truth as I admit, “He has a way of calming me down.”
When we’re together.
I have no idea how bad it’s going to get every time I have to watch him leave.
Surprise flashes over my parents' faces, and when I hear the familiar sound of confident footsteps, I beg, “Don’t tell him about the medication and thanatophobia.”
Mom squeezes my shoulder while they both nod, but whispers, “You’ll have to tell him at some point. This isn’t something you can hide from him.”
When Christiano comes into the kitchen, their shocked gazes flick to him.
I move to Christiano’s side, and when he wraps his arm around my lower back, I place my hand on his chest and lean my head against him so we look like a loving couple.
While my heart races a mile a minute, I say, “We’re getting married in a month.”
“A month?!” Mom shrieks, her eyes going wide as saucers.
Dad, on the other hand, watches Christiano and me like a hawk, and crossing his arms over his chest, his tone is way too calm as he asks, “Why the sudden hurry?”
My mind desperately searches for an answer, but I have nothing.
“We’ve waited seven years,” Christiano says, his tone controlled and respectful. “I love Sienna more than anything on this planet, and I can’t wait any longer.”
Dad’s attention snaps to me, and he stares at me for a moment before asking, “Is this what you want, Sienna?” He comes closer, not breaking eye contact for a single second. “Do you want to marry Christiano in a month?”
Knowing I have no other choice, I admit, “I love Christiano, Dad. With all my heart.”
“I know.” Dad tilts his head, and it feels as if he’s inspecting every word and movement for evidence that I’m being forced. “That’s not what I asked.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Pulling away from Christiano, I grab hold of Dad’s arm and give him a cute look he’s never been able to resist. Somehow, my voice is filled with confidence as if I actually believe the words. “Yes, Daddy. I want to marry Christiano in a month.”
Dad looks at me for a moment longer before the tension on his face eases. The corner of his mouth lifts, and as he pulls me into a hug, he says, “Then I’m happy for you.”
Just to make sure he believes me, I add, “This is all I’ve ever wanted, Dad.”
He pushes me backward, and when a full-blown smile stretches over his face, I almost let out a sigh of relief.
Jesus, that was close.
While Dad shakes Christiano’s hand, I walk into Mom’s arms. I grip her tightly as she says, “I only want you to be happy, sweetheart.”
“I am,” I lie, but suddenly a sob bursts from me, and even I’m surprised when tears start flowing down my cheeks. “Tears of happiness,” I quickly say when Mom pushes me back so she cansee my face. The smile around my mouth wobbles, and feeling like I’m ruining everything, I cry, “I’m overwhelmed.”
Christiano takes hold of my arm, and I quickly turn into him and bury my face against his chest.
“It’s okay, princess,” he whispers lovingly while he begins to go through the process of calming me down by squeezing my biceps repeatedly.
