“And at least fifteen babysitters on board,” he says dryly.
I can’t help but laugh because it’s true. The entire family loves watching Antonella, so we’re never without help when we need it. But right now, all of my friends and Angelo’s brothers are currently swimming off the deck while Nonna’s in the galley putting the chef out of a job.
Regardless, if we really wanted to sneak off, they’d all drop what they’re doing in a second to babysit. Technically, this is our second honeymoon, even though we have a small army aboard the yacht with us. It was Angelo’s idea to go on this trip, insisting I needed some time to relax before returning to work. But honestly, I think both of us just wanted a do-over of the first time, and I have no complaints. I’d happily honeymoon with him every year for the rest of our lives.
“Hey, am I interrupting?”
I glance up to see Gabi in her princess-pink bathing suit, uncertainty flickering across her face. She twists her fingers together as she glances between Angelo and me, and I can tell she’s questioning if she’s bothering us right now. We haven’t yet reached the point where Gabi feels like she can unmask around Angelo. She’s known him for as long as I have, but not as well, and she’s still figuring out how to navigate these new changes in my life.
I want her to know she can always come to me, no matter what, regardless of how much has changed. Something has been off with her lately, and admittedly, I’ve been a little worried about her.
Angelo kisses the top of my head, recognizing that this is a conversation better left between Gabi and me. “I think Uncle Romeo could use a little Antonella time.”
As Angelo extracts himself from me, I follow his gaze to the brother in question. Romeo is sitting on the other side of the sun deck, scowling at Gabi’s bathing suit like its very existence annoys him on a bone-deep level.
There has never been a man who looks more out of place on a Mediterranean vacation. Skulking around in his all-black clothes, tossing around dark looks like it’s his full-time job. While everyone else relaxes, he broods. That’s just Romeo.
I’m surprised he even came, if I’m being honest. But I know Angelo has been keeping tabs on him. I’m not sure why. I suspect it has something to do with Romeo leaving the island more frequently.
Gabi seems to sense his eyes on her, and when she glances back at him and sees the expression on his face, it makes her stand up a little straighter. It feels like his glare has just confirmed something for her, and I think I’m about to find out what it is.
“Come, sit.” I pat the space beside me.
She glances at the lounge and wrinkles her nose. “You two didn’t have sex here, did you?”
“Not today.” I smile sweetly.
Gabi shakes her head. “I’ll just pretend I don’t know.”
She pulls the tote bag off her shoulder and takes Beppe out, tucking him in her arm as she plops down beside me. When she steals a glance at the swim deck, I suspect she knows the girls will probably be up here soon. It looks like she wants some privacy for this conversation.
“What’s up?” I ask her.
“My father signed the marriage contract with Riccardo Venturi,” she says solemnly.
“Oh, Gabi.” I frown, absolutely hating this for her. “There has to be something I can do. I’ll talk to Angelo.”
“That isn’t why I’m telling you.” She stares down at Beppe, stroking his fur as she speaks. “If it’s not him, it will be someone just like him.”
I search her face, distraught by the pain she tries to hide so well. She’s carried it for so long, blaming herself for circumstances outside of her control. And now she’s resigned herself to the idea of being unhappy—as if that’s what she deserves.
“Gabs,” I plead. “Let me try to help. You can’t just give up.”
“I’m not.” She squares her shoulders. “I still have some time. It won’t happen until after graduation. So I was thinking…”
Her words drift off.
“You were thinking what?” I press her.
She worries her lip between her teeth for a minute before she blurts it out. “I can’t change my fate, but I’ve decided I want to have agency over my life while I still can.”
“Alright,” I draw out the word. “How so?”
“I want to have sex,” she announces. “I don’t want to save myself for some guy who won’t even care about me.”
I release a long breath as I consider her decision. What she’s telling me makes perfect sense, and I understand it completely. But I also know that it can be dangerous, and I worry about what might happen if her father or future husband ever finds out.
“Do you have someone in mind?” I ask.
