“That’s not for you to dissect, babe,” Lux says. “Izzy’s right, she knows what she’s doing. We just need to be here for her on her big day. Can you both adhere to that?”
I smile. The last thing I need is Teo and Enzo grilling me anymore on this.
“Fine, we won’t ruin this day for her,” he says.
“Thank you,” Izzy says.
“But I swear if?—”
Hearing enough, I swing the door open, and everyone stares at me with widened eyes. I prop a hand on my hip. “You know I can hear you guys, right?”
Izzy whips around to face me. “Oh, Liana, I’m so sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I know my girls have my back.”
“Liana, I gotta ask—” Enzo’s cut off when Amalia elbows him in the ribs. I have to bite back a laugh while he coughs and tries to regain his composure.
“Just wanted to see if you’re ready for the most romantic wedding of the season,” he says, with far too much enthusiasm.
Ignoring the blatant sarcasm from him, I look around at my family and say, “Yeah, I am. I know we might’ve started off on the wrong foot, but I’m really happy with this decision.”
“Really happy?You don’t exactly sound like a woman in lo?—”
Amalia shoves her elbow into his ribs once more.
“I mean—” He coughs. “I’m so fucking happy for you.” He coughs again, and this time, the laugh bursts from my lips.
This is what I needed. Sure, my cousins questioning me on my wedding day isn’t ideal, but being able to laugh about it at a time like this might just get me through it.
“Come on,” Izzy says, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the room, over to the table. “You look like you could use that shot right about now.”
“You know me too well,” I say with a chuckle. Izzy opens the raspberry lemonade vodka shooter and hands it to me.
“May today be everything you’ve ever dreamed of,” she says.
I raise a brow at her. “Seriously?”
She gives me a loose shrug. “What? Someone needs to be optimistic about this. Now, I have to ask… Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
“I already signed the contract, Izzy.”
“Contracts can be ripped up,” Lux says as she and Amalia walk over to us.
“Yeah, just say the word, and I’ll handle it,” Amalia adds.
I give them a smile. “No, it’s fine. I signed the contract. I knew what I was getting myself into. Besides, he held up his side of the deal. Alessia told me how she and Colton are back together and her dad is backing off their relationship.Thatis the reason I’m doing all of this, and if it means getting married to Massimo Bonetti, then… fine. I guess it’s not the end of the world.”
“Not the end of the world?” Izzy says. “Wow, you’ve really changed your tune on this.”
“I wouldn’t say I’vereallychanged my tune. I still very much dislike the man.”
“Maybe, but you said this marriage isn’t the end of the world, so I’m taking that as a win. I have a good feeling about this.”
“I’ve told you guys before; this is just a marriage on paper. Nothing else.”
“I also thought my marriage was just on paper, but now look at me. Knocked up and happier than I’ve ever been in my life,” Lux says.
“Honestly, Liana, the fact he put everything together is kind of impressive. It looks stunning out there. I’m sorry to say it, but you’re going to love it,” Izzy says.
