“Oh shit. I got so distracted by the pretty, shiny ring that I forgot! I was thinking Ticket to Ride. But that’s only four players.”
“Ari and I can team up,” Lil says before running off to grab it.
“Somehow, I don’t think you two are planning for a long engagement,” Mia’s eyes sparkle with mischief as we set up thegame. I want my ring on my finger right fucking now, so she’s not wrong.
“Meh, I was thinking of dragging it out for a couple of years,” Ariana says with a straight face.
“Not funny, Minx.” It comes out as a growl, which makes her giggle.
“Okay, fine. How about the Saturday after next?”
“Hmm, two years or two weeks? Those are our only options?” I ask.
“Yup.” A sly smile crosses her face.
“You’re both ridiculous.” Mia throws a train car at Ari.
“I don’t think Mom can pull it off in two weeks.” This time, the minx winks at me.
Mia huffs, clearly offended. “Seeing as how you would probably invite less than twenty people combined, two weeks would be plenty of time.”
“Then by all means, Aunt Mia, have at it,” I say with a smile.
Like most of the games we’ve played since I moved here, I’ve never played this one. I should find the instructions and read them. I love Ariana to death, but she’s shit at explaining rules.
“I hope you know I’m fully accepting this challenge, and you’re going to spend tomorrow hashing out some details with me.” Mia points a finger at Ariana. “And you’re helping,” she then points at Lil.
“What about Luca? It’s his wedding, too,” Lil pouts.
Mia waves her hand in the air. “He’s Luca. All he cares about is that Ariana shows up.”
“True story,” I say.
Marco joins us at the table. “Sorry about that, had to take a call. What are we talking about?”
“Luca and Ariana’s wedding. It’s two weeks from yesterday, most likely in the backyard if it’s not going to be a million degrees.I need to get the guest list together as soon as possible so I can get invitations out.”
“Two weeks, huh? That’s longer than I expected, actually.”
“Luca, do you want to invite your parents?” Mia asks, dealing out our train and route cards.
“Do I have to?” Maybe I sound like a spoiled kid, but not only do I not get along with my parents, I haven’t even heard from them since I got here.
“No,” literally everyone, even Becca in the kitchen, says at the same time. I laugh. These people are my family.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Okay, let’s play some games and eat dinner. Tomorrow we’ll start planning.”
We play a couple of rounds, then eat another amazing dinner. Ariana made a black forest cake while I was out with Marco, and it’s fucking delicious. “Every time I think ‘this is my favorite thing Ari’s made so far,’ you go and make something else.” She grins at me, then licks frosting off the corner of my mouth. I hold in my groan because we’re not alone, but fuck. That grin turns mischievous because she knows exactly what that does to me. I kiss her, biting her lower lip gently because I know what it does to her. She closes her eyes, and her breath catches.
I hit the gym for an hour, then go looking for my girl. I find her sitting on the edge of the pool chatting with Lil, their feet in the water. They stand as I get close. “We were just about to move to the hot tub,” Ariana says when I wrap my arms around her.
“Sounds like a plan.” I reach out and push Lil in the pool for old-time’s sake.
“God. Damn. It. Luca. Istilldon’tknowyourmiddlename. DeVille!” she sputters when she surfaces.
Ariana laughs and walks toward the hot tub. “It’s Alexander.”
