Nonna’s focus remains on the screen.
“This marriage isn’t supposed to matter. It was an agreement with no emotion involved. But that’s not true anymore. It hasn’t been for some time. Somewhere along the way, I fell for him after my kidnapping.”
Nonna chokes on a grape.
I pat her back. She mumbles something fast in Sicilian with “My Jesus.”
“He’s bossy, a dickhead most days, and kills people.”
Nonna coughs again.
I frown. “Maybe we’ve had enough grapes for tonight.”
She squeezes my hand.
“The feelings I have for Benny aren’t fading. I love who he is around me, the parts of him the world doesn’t get to see. I love who I am when I’m with him and how he challenges me to meet my goals. He prioritizes me, except on the day we got married.”
I had voluntold him, but a small part of me thought things would be different because we were. Maybe I was in denial to keep from getting hurt. Like right now.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say.
“What you feel is valid, baby.”
I scream before Nonna does.
“You speak English?” I gasp, damn near jumping out of my bonnet and skin.
“Of course, I do!” She clutches her chest. Lord, if I kill this woman by accident… “My grandson asked me to speak Sicilian for you to learn.”
“Well,” I pant. “Shit. Sorry for cussing.”
Nonna laughs. “I hope you don’t hold this against me. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better, Bianca.”
“Me too.” I smile before my stomach somersaults. “Please don’t tell him what I said.”
She kisses my hand. “He cares for you, Bianca. I’m sorry today didn’t feel special, but I’m honored to have you in our family. Kidnapping aside.”
I groan. “You heard that.”
“Let’s pretend I didn’t. Don’t give up on him today,” she says.
The movie ends. I pack up the leftovers and say goodbye to Nonna, rerouting to my bedroom. I stare at my ring with glossy eyes and grab my phone to call Vince. He’d be heartbroken to miss my wedding, after he broke Benny’s legs with his bat.
“Principessa.”
“Hey, Vince,” I sniffle.
“What happened?”
“Nothing,” I lie. “I just miss you.”
“I miss you too, kiddo. You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. It’s been a minute, and I needed to hear your voice. I’m fine.”
“A lotta crying for you to be ‘fine.’ Who am I seeing?”
I snicker. “You’re too old to be fighting. I just finished watchingMahogany.”
