I’m a fuck-up, that’s why. And my entire life is a shitshow.
“I’m really flattered, Callum. And I’ve loved working with you. I hope you know that.”
“Sure. Can’t blame a guy for trying though, right?”
“Absolutely!” I hear someone calling him on the other end of the line and feel a twinge of regret. Why can’t I fall for a guy like this? Solid, dependable, decent in bed. And a wonderful human being on top of it all. When he ends the call, I almost stop him. But I don’t. I don’t put the phone down either. Instead, I tap out a text to Mateo.
Final fitting for wedding dress with Nikki tomorrow.
He doesn’t respond.
Why would he?
Chapter 14
Mateo Ricci
Iwonder if she’ll be wearing white? I hope so. She’ll be beautiful in it. She’s fucking beautiful in everything. And in nothing. I feel a warm swell at the thought of having her in my bed again.
I glance at my watch. Dario had said Nikki and Andy would be at a bridal boutique on Fifth Avenue at 4.30 p.m. They’ll have had enough time to be almost done by now… And I’ll make it with minutes to spare. As I reach the front doors, I’m met by a pair of men in dark suits. Stoic expressions, hands clasped in front of them, there’s a moment of hesitation as they give me the once-over.
“Mr. Ricci,” the bigger of the two rumbles as recognition sinks in. “Mr. Caraldi said to expect you.” If he notices the oversized stuff bear under my arm, his face gives no hint of it. I nod and step through the entrance as he swings the door open. The place is entirely empty, which is a good sign. I suspect Dario had the store cleared out while the women are shopping.
I follow the sound of girlish laughter through a room that’s a blend of cool grays, silvers and whites, aside from a bright red carpet that leads through it all.
“It’s perfect!” I hear Nikki laugh out. There are approving murmurs from several more voices I don’t recognize. Shop assistants, I imagine. I walk silently toward the sound and then turn a corner and stop dead.
My breath has been sucked from my lungs.
Andy is standing on something. A small footstool, I guess. The others surround her – a bizarre-looking man in purple with orange hair and arms outstretched, Nikki with her hands clasped, a woman fussing with the hem of a flowing white dress.
I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life. The fucking bear drops onto the carpet as I step closer to the group of them. At the sound of my footfalls, Andy’s head snaps up and she stares at me. Her hair’s scooped up from her neck, and her neck and shoulders have been left bare by the gleaming white satin that melds to her curves. There are tiny lace flowers that seem to trail up to her collarbone, as delicate as the skin they travel over.
“Oh!” Her lips form an oval of surprise. The woman pinning her hem shoots up and then begins to flap her hands.
“No, no, no!” she cries out.
“Oh! Oh, my lord!” the man in purple wails, clutching his hand over his mouth.
Who the fuck is this joker?
“No, no, monsieur! This is not good!” The woman rushes at me like an outraged squawking goose, and I’m so startled I take a step back, kicking the stupid bear behind me.
“Mateo!” Nikki blurts. I stare from her to the woman and then back at Andy. It’s almost impossible to tear my eyes from her, but the angry goose woman is still squawking at me.
“Monsieur! You must go at once!”
“It’s okay,” I tell her firmly. “I’m the groom.”
Her eyes widen. Mine almost do too.
I’m the groom. The man who’s about to marry the vision standing in the center of this room.
Holy fuck!
“Monsieur!” The woman shakes her head vigorously, still repeating, “No! No…no, no! You can’t come in here! It’s bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding.
Screw that. I take a step forward.
