“Yeah. And you’re my best man, so be there early.”
“Whoa, what?” He was about to take another bite of his food, but he put the fork down instead.
“Yeah.”
“You’re telling me this now?”
“You wanted me to ask over the phone? Through text?” I asked incredulously. “I wanted to ask you in person.”
“Well, you didn’t ask. You just told me I’m your best man.”
“You got a problem with that or something?”
“No—”
“Then we’re good, right?”
He leaned back in the chair and stared down at his food for a while before he looked at me. “You’re trying to act like this isn’t a big deal, but it’s a pretty big deal.”
I crossed my arms as I stared him down.
“I’m honored, man.”
“Yeah?”
“Fuck yeah,” he said with a smile. “Didn’t bring a suit or anything, though.”
“Then what were you going to wear?”
He looked down at himself, in jeans and a black T-shirt. “This?”
I chuckled. “Lucky for you, I’ve got an extra, and we’re about the same size.”
Chapter 28
Aurelia
The car pulled up as close as it could to the church, and we walked the rest of the way. I wore flip-flops because I wasn’t going to walk down the main path in heels. The cobblestone was cracked in lots of places, and I wouldn’t risk breaking my ankle at the eleventh hour ... or ever.
Sofia held my arm and helped me to the courtyard with the fountain, water spouting from the mouths of horses, right outside the entrance to the church, where Constantine was waiting for me inside, along with hundreds of people.
My friends had made the trip and were my bridesmaids, but I also included some of his cousins, so it was a big bridal party. Constantine had ten guys in his lineup, so I tried to match.
Beatrice pulled out my heels from the bag she carried and got down on her knees to help me get them on.
“Nervous?” Sofia asked as she held me up for balance.
“The only thing I’m nervous about is getting there in one piece.”
She smiled. “Like that man would ever let you fall.”
“My dress is a little tight ...” My stomach had gotten a little bigger since my last fitting, or I’d eaten a little too much. Wasn’t sure which.
“Good,” Sofia said. “You’re growing a healthy baby for my son, and that will make him so happy.”
The double doors opened, and Rocco stepped out in a black suit and tie, dark hair and dark eyes like Constantine. He came over when he spotted us, and I noticed how silent all the girls fell the second he approached.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “Constantine sent me out to check on things. He’s impatient, as always.”
