How can I tell her that this wasn’t my idea?And while it may have been Luca’s idea, it had been done solely to protect me.
He doesn’t want to marry me.
How could he?We’re both still in college.We barely know each other.We’ve only scratched the surface and haven’t even been out yet on our first real date.
We had plans to do that this weekend after I returned from Nova’s birthday party.I’m not sure when I’ll be allowed to leave.
When I don’t say anything, Moreno finally speaks up.
I don’t have the slightest idea what words will spill from his lips, but he stares at me and nods.“She’s following her heart.”
“You approve of their engagement?”Nikki asks, staring pointedly at Moreno.“You wouldn’t feel that way if it were your daughter.”
“Nova isn’t getting married,” Moreno states matter-of-factly.“This isn’t abouther.”
It’s almost as though I’m not seated at the table, and quite frankly, that would be fine.I’d be happier to just let them talk about me than have to defend the reasons that I’m marrying Luca.
Moreno kicks me under the table, and I cough, reaching for my water glass.
Is he always this much of an asshole?Nova never mentioned her parents, at least not in any violent aspect.Then again, neither did Luca.
I take a sip and then glance between the two of them.“Is this what I have to look forward to, my parents bickering when we announce our engagement?”
Nikki laughs.“We’re not married.”She’s quick to remind me that they’re not a couple.
Yeah, well, Luca and I are barely a couple too.Look how that’s turning out.I hold my tongue and keep from saying the wrong thing.
“Nikki is just concerned that you’re marrying her son for the wrong reasons,” Moreno says, glaring at me.
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” Nikki scolds him.
The woman is a bit of a spitfire.
Turns out, I like her.
Maybe we can get along.If she talks to Moreno this way, I can only imagine the tongue on her that she has around her mafia husband.
The waitress brings our food to the table, and I stare at my pasta, my stomach churning.I can’t eat.The smell of the food is overpowering, and I excuse myself, hightailing it for the bathroom again.
But this time I hear Nikki as I hurry away.“Are you sure she’s not pregnant?”
I’m definitely not pregnant.It’s been twelve hours since Luca and I fell into bed together.We used a condom, I’m on the pill, and pregnancy symptoms don’t occur that fast.
No, this is one hundred percent a panic attack because I’m being forced to marry a man whose father runs the mafia.
I turn the sink water on and stand over it, my hands gripping the porcelain as I stare down at the rushing water.
Gasping for breath, I’m trying to slow my breathing, my heart rate, and the million thoughts and fears swimming through my head.
It’s not just my life that’s getting fucked up.
I really wish I had my phone so I could text Luca.He’s the only person who understands what I’m going through.He’s experiencing it too.
I’m not alone.
Except, right now, I feel that way, completely, utterly overwhelmed.I rinse my face with the cold water, hoping my rosy cheeks will return to their regular hue.
I feel hot, clammy, and nauseous.
