“Cara…”
Grace, Esme, and Peyton all scurry out of the room in less than ten seconds.
Gio wordlessly studies me, raking his gaze up and down my body. “How did I get so lucky to marry you?” he whispers, almost incredulously.
I blush under his gaze. “Do you like the dress?”
“It’s enchanting… perfect… everything you are.”
He cups my chin, placing a delicate kiss on my glossy lips.
“I missed you,” I sigh.
“I’m right here.” He finds my lips once more.
Gio’s presence soothes and settles me. I’m completely at peace with him here.
“Will you marry me today, Cara?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
He picks up my hand and kisses the top of it. “Do you want to?—”
“Tessa, we heard Gio was coming in here!” Maria bursts into the room, an EpiPen positioned like a dagger in her hand, ready to stab.
Where did everyone get EpiPens from?
Her flailing accidentally knocks a picture frame off the dresser as her eyes frantically search mine. “What’s the matter? We’re so worried. Even your brother-in-law looks upset.”
“I’m fine, Maria!” I call through silent laughter at my pigeon “brother-in-law.”
She breathes a loud sigh of relief. “I just want to say that Luca, he would never barge in on his bride-to-be. He’s in theaudience, and he’s still available if you’ve changed your mind about my son. You just let me?—”
“Goodbye, Mamma.” Gio pushes her back through the threshold of the door to the sound of my delighted giggles.
“You look bellissima, figliola!” Maria shouts from the hallway.
Gio turns to hug me and groans into my neck. “What are we going to do about all these people?”
A gentle knock sounds at the door, followed by hushed voices outside the door. “Gracie, if anyone is going to see my sister before she walks down the aisle, it’s me. BecauseI’mthe one walking her down the aisle!”
I roll my eyes, grinning at how annoyed my brother sounds, and call out to Grace. “It’s fine, G! He can come in!”
The size of Gio’s parents’ bedroom feels smaller and smaller as Daniel comes into the room, followed by an apologetic Grace.
“I’m so sorry about him,” Grace apologizes, opening the door. “I held out as long as I could, but I couldn’t contain Danny once he heard Gio was in here.”
“Tessie…” Daniel whispers, looking at me with tears in his eyes, which swiftly begin to fall down his face.
“Stop crying, or I’ll cry,” I warn, my eyes glossing over.
“It feels like just yesterday you were in Lion King pajamas drawing me in my football uniform. And… and look at you now,” he breathes. “You’re in a wedding dressyoudesigned.”
Daniel glances back at his wife, who’s sobbing in the doorway, before walking toward me. “Can I hug you?”
“Don’t mess up her hair!” Grace calls through tears.
Gio gives my hand a squeeze. “I think it’s time for me to go, Cara. I’ll see you in the garden.”
