I shake my head and wrap my arms around him, sobbing into his expensive suit jacket.
“Shh…” His hand brushes up and down my back before settling behind my head. “I’m here,amore mio.Take all the time you need.”
Turning my face, I rest my cheek against him while I look at the photo of Elise until my tears eventually dry up.
I pull away from Adriano and hurry up the aisle, running away from Elise’s smiling face that I will never get to see in person.
Adriano
Every day, Laurie seems to be doing better.
I hate that she suffered such a loss, but fuck, I love how she’s been clinging to me. Everytime I’m close to her, she has to touch me.
I took off from work a little longer than I anticipated so I could spend more time with her, which was a good idea because we’ve gotten to know each other really well.
As I put on my watch, I check the time and notice people should be arriving soon for the barbecue. I’m not going to lie, I’m excited to introduce Laurie to Remo, Georgi, and Augusto.
Heading downstairs, I find Laurie sitting on the couch, staring up at the oak tree while her knee jumps a mile a minute.
“Don’t be nervous,” I tell her, leaning over her to press a kiss to her mouth.
When I straighten up again, I hear engines as cars pull up the driveway.
Laurie jumps up, her eyes darting from me to the front door.
Gripping her chin, I force her to look at me. “Stop worrying.”
“I can’t help it,” she mutters. “What if they don’t like me?”
“They will.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “You don’t know that.”
I take her hand and pull her toward the back of the mansion, and when we step out on the veranda, I hear Yuki say, “Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Right, ages being yesterday,” Nina chuckles. “Did you bring that pot I wanted?”
“Shit, I forgot. I’ll drop it off tomorrow.”
Laurie tightens her hold on my hand and inches closer to me, her eyes locked on the two women as they walk down the path toward the barbecue area.
When we pass the pool, I hear Georgi hollar, “Augusto, he’s back here!”
I glance to my left as Georgi jumps over a bed of flowers, coming right at me. “You motherfucker!” Then I’m hauled into a hug.
Just as he lets go, Augusto gives me a brotherly hug, slapping my back twice. “Congrats on getting married.”
I feel the slight tremble in Laurie’s hand and look at her. Seeing her nerves are getting the better of her, I place my arm around her shoulder. “This is Laurie, my wife.” My voice is filled with so much fucking pride. “This is Georgi and Augusto, my best friends.”
“Nice to meet you,” Laurie says.
Before Georgi and Augusto can reply, Yuki and Nina join them, friendly smiles on their faces.
Nina suffered some serious shit, and I had my doubts about her when Georgi brought her home, but she’s been good for him, and the past several months, she’s become a part of the family and come into her own.
Yuki’s been a part of us for so long, it’s hard to remember a time without her. She’s the first to respond, reaching her hand out to Laurie. “I’m Yuki. I’m married to this one.” She jabs her thumb at Augusto.
Nina also shakes Laurie’s hand, saying, “I’m Nina, Georgi’s partner.”
