“The infusions are helping.” She pats my cheek. Her hand is soft, her dark skin glowing. “Your man is a prince.”
My throat closes. “Yes, he is.”
“And now you are to be married. You make a beautiful bride.”
“Thank you.” I finger my veil. “Will you walk me down the aisle? Both of you?”
“Oh.” Mrs. Rossi is so overcome, she puts a hand to her mouth.
Mr. Rossi puts a gentle arm around her. “We wouldn’t miss it,Mia figlia.”My daughter.“We are headed to the church soon. We just put the finishing touches on the cake.”
“You made my cake?”
He beckons, and I follow the Rossis to the back. The cake is a tower of white, tall enough to touch the heavens.
In the front room, the bell over the door jingles madly.
“That door should be closed.” Mr. Rossi frowns.
I know who’s just walked in before his velvety deep voice washes over me. “Mr. Rossi. Mrs. Rossi.”
Firm hands grasp my hips.
Royal’s found me. Of course he has.
“Call me Cedella.” Mrs. Rossi beams.
“Come, my bride.” Mr. Rossi puts his arm around his wife and starts steering her away. “We need to get to the church.”
“We’re right behind you,” Royal mutters into my veil. He holds me still until the shop door jingles closed. The Rossis are gone. It’s just me and Royal now.
“You came,” I say before I turn. He doesn’t let me out of his grasp, but lets me face him. Good thing he hangs on because as soon as my eyes hit his, my knees wobble.
“You ran,” he counters. His eyes are dark coffee, his beautiful face stern, but his expression softens when he sees my face. He picks me up, poofy satin dress and all, and carries me out to the baking cases. He sets me on the counter next to the espresso machine that started this all. My skirts overflow, but he crushes them down, planting his arms on either side of me and fixing me with a dark stare. “Leah.”
“Royal,” I say warily.
He tilts his head. “You wanted a coffee before we tie the knot?”
“I needed a moment,” I whisper. My vision blurs and I blink a few times. “You fixed the shop. You fixed everything.”
He runs a finger over my quivering lip. “Yes. I’d do anything for you.”
“Your dad said the family won’t like you taking me as a bride.”
He shakes his head. “I just met with them. They can’t wait to meet you. They approve of you.”
“I am pretty badass.” My voice wobbles, but the pride on Royal’s face steadies me.
Maybe I can do this. Royal hinted at a honeymoon in the Old Country. I do want to meet Royal’s aunt. I hope she’ll approve of me. Maybe a tin of cookies is all I’ll need to buy her love. I’ll let Royal make the espresso.
My reflection in the espresso maker shows a bride. She looks calm, but inside, she’s quivering.
Maybe that’s okay.
“Talk to me, Leah.” Royal smooths back my veil.
“You hired the Rossis to make the cake.”
