“Max, your sash is crooked.” My mother tweaks my blue satin sash as a muscle jumps in my jaw, nerves popping like corn in my belly. “What’s with you tonight, darling? You’re so on edge.”
“I’m fine,” I lie, forcing a smile. I’m anything but.
She places her palm against my chest, smiling up at me. In her Ledonian red ball gown, she looks really quite beautiful, herhair swept up off her elegant neck with a tiara nestled in her curls. “You’ve been through a lot lately. You can sit this one out if you want. Your father will understand.”
Sitting this one out is the last thing on my mind. “I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”
“Darling, even though you’re a grown man, I’ll always worry about you,” she says with a soft smile. “It’s a mother’s job.” She pats my chest.
“All set?” Father asks as he steps into the room, looking resplendent in his red jacket, the same as mine, only his with significantly more gold detailing, appropriate for his status.
“My baby brother is having his mummy fix his outfit,” Amelia teases from her position on the sofa beside Ethan.
“Less of the baby, thanks,” I sniff.
She rises to her feet, puffing out her full skirt. “You’ll always be the baby of the family, Max. That’s life.”
Ethan quirks a brow. “A six-foot two baby? Isn’t he almost twenty-eight?”
Amelia and her husband share a smile, and it does something to my heart.
I want what they have.
Alex, who arrived in Villadorata with his wife and children this afternoon, comes to stand next to me. “Still taller,” he declares as he slaps me on the back. “Hello, Max.”
“No, you’re not. I’m at least a centimeter taller than you,” I reply.
“You could both be a couple of linebackers,” Maddie says as she kisses me on the cheek.
“Is that a good thing?” Amelia asks.
“Oh, yeah,” Maddie replies, her eyes dancing. “Are you okay, Max? You’ve had a rough few weeks, right?”
“I’m doing okay,” I lie.
“Max, I thought you were bringing a date,” Sofia asks, adjusting her tiara in the mirror.
Marco places a kiss on her bare shoulder. “You look beautiful, my love.”
“I might be,” I reply, my nerves cranking up.
Sofia turns to me. “So? Where is she?”
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly.
Father knits his brows. “Who is this woman who’s keeping the entire family waiting? The ball is about to begin.”
“Yes, Max, who is she?” Sofia asks, and every eye in the room turns to me.
"I've invited Valentina Romano," I say simply.
Mother's expression immediately fills with compassion. "I remember that little girl. She had the sweetest smile." She pauses. "Do you think she'll come after everything that’s happened?"
"I’m not sure," I admit, my chest tight. "But I had to try."
Father studies me for a long moment. "You care for her."
"I do."
