“Oh my God, Val. I’m so sorry. I—”
“You don’t need to apologize. Weirdly, I feel relieved. Relieved that she knows—or has known—and like I can finally relax knowing I don’t have to figure out how to tell her anymore. It can just be this unspoken truth between us we never mention.”
“Still,” I say. “That must have been hard to hear. I’m sorry.”
She smiles. “Thanks.”
A critter runs through the woods, breaking tiny twigs and rustling dry leaves along its path. I can’t see it, but even the sound is cute.
“So, you never answered my question.”
I shrug halfheartedly, which only makes her laugh.
“You told me not to fall for you,” I say.
“But did you?”
“Maybe I did.” I shrug again.
She shakes her head, amused. “Even though I specifically said not to.”
“Yeah, well. You don’t control me. I have free will, you know,” I retort.
Valentina stops. Our gazes lock as we stand on the dirt path.
“I’m happy you’re here, Isa. This week, I’ve had more fun than I thought I would. I know I’ve been pessimistic about this entire thing. I just wanted it all to be over…tired of feeling this unrequited love. Forced to be near Silvana again. Pretending like everything is okay. Then you came along. This bright light in my gloomy life. I’m glad you didn’t listen to me, because I can’t handle another unrequited love again.”
She moves toward me slowly, and I find myself holding my breath. Valentina takes my hand in hers, and I look up at her. Her eyes shine with emotion.
Slowly, she leans in and presses her lips to mine, our kiss soft and tender at first. Her lips warm against mine. She wraps her arms around my waist, pulling me in close.
The world around me fades away, and all that remains is the two of us, lost in a moment of pure, unbridled bliss. My kiss is filled with all the emotions I’ve been holding back, and I pour all of myself into it.
As she finally pulls away, I feel breathless, my face flushed with the moment’s intensity. She pulls me into her embrace, and I can hear her heart beating fast. I don’t want this moment to end. Forget the wedding. Forget the puzzle. Forget the investment. She lifts my chin and smiles.
“Do you want to make some s’mores with me?”
Chapter Fifteen
The smell of the woodsmoke and the sounds of the fire crackling fill the air. The entire bridal party sits on various large wood logs and camping chairs, chatting and laughing, their voices echoing through the quiet forest. Despite the chill in the air, the fire keeps us warm. That, and the fact that Valentina’s thigh and shoulder are pressed tight against me. I can’t help but steal glances at her. She looks beautiful in the firelight, her hair shining like gold and her eyes sparkling with happiness. I wonder if she’s replaying the kiss in her head a thousand times a second or if it’s just me.
Next to me are Luciano and Sofia. They lean close to each other as if they’re telling secrets no one else can know. I hear her giggle softly.
“I really did decide to stop my big plan, by the way,” Valentina whispers low enough for just me to hear.
“Oh you did, huh? Why’s that?”
“Well, I realize I was doing it for the wrong reasons. Holding on to something that was never really mine.” She looks over at Sofia and Luciano for a moment. “Luc is obviously perfect for her. He’s a nice guy and I had to actively try to make him a bad person for it to work. It was just doomed from the beginning. Plus—”
“Yeah?”
I look up at her, her eyes shimmering in the fire.
“I learned that there is someone else that could see the love I could give.” She grins.
I smile. “Well, I’m glad.”
I hold a long, thin branch in my hand. On the end is a jumbo marshmallow, waiting to be roasted into oblivion. I submerge it in the fire until it completely lights up in flames. I watch it for a moment, allowing the outer layer of the marshmallow to char. Finally, with one big breath, I blow it out.
