“I welcome you to try,” Angelo says dryly. “See how that works out for you.”
At that remark, he wisely scuttles off.
Warm lips brush against my ear as I watch them go. “Liberating, isn’t it?”
A shiver moves over me as I nod, letting myself sink into the shelter of Romeo’s body.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, baby,” he murmurs, low enough for only me to hear.
He turns me in his arms and lifts me up, wrapping my legs around him as he captures my mouth in a kiss.
“Whoa.” Rafe chuckles beside us.
“It’s about fucking time,” Michele says.
I tune them out, vaguely aware that everyone is probably watching, but as Romeo tries to haul me off, Abella stops us.
“Hang on a minute, caveman. You can’t keep her holed up in your dungeon for the rest of her life. Especially after you just dropped that engagement news.”
Reluctantly, our lips part, but our gazes stay locked together before someone clears their throat.
“Alright,” Romeo grunts, carrying me over to the sofa and parking me on his lap. “Ask what you need to ask.”
Abella arches a brow at him while Angelo smirks behind her. When she turns her gaze to me, I can tell she’s about to burst at the seams with happiness.
“Are you really getting married?”
Romeo settles a possessive hand on my hip as I nod and show her the ring.
“Wow,” she whispers, coming closer to examine it. “You did good, Romeo.”
“It’s perfect,” I agree.
Her eyes meet mine again, and I can tell she’s trying to hold back tears. “This is all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“See,” Nonna says smugly. “I told you he’s been kissed by the Vitale fate.”
“Yes, I have,” Romeo replies quietly.
“Any idea when the wedding might be?” Abella asks hopefully.
I glance up at Romeo. We haven’t even had time to discuss this, and I’m sure he’s expecting me to say after graduation. But I don’t want to wait.
“What do you think of Christmas break?” I ask him. “I don’t want a big wedding, so we could just have it here on the island.”
He nods his approval, getting harder beneath me, as if that’s even possible. It’s safe to say he likes the idea, and not just because we’re both introverts. More than anything, he wants to know I’m his, forever.
“I can get started on the planning right away,” Valentina pipes up.
I offer her an appreciative smile. Val is used to planning weddings for theCosa Nostraand The Society. It was no small miracle what she was able to pull off when she planned Abella’s wedding. Although Angelo making his surprise entrance as the groom threw that way off course, but it all worked out how it was supposed to.
“I don’t want to go overboard,” I tell her.
“Whatever you want, we’ll make it happen,” she says. “And I’ll handle everything so you can focus on your senior collection.”
“Thank you, Val,” I answer softly. “That would be perfect.”
“Does anyone else have any inane questions they’d like to ask, or can we leave now?” Romeo grunts.
