Page 59 of Aldo

I stood, my feet carrying me across the floor, ignoring everyone around me. I dodged couples and people carrying drinks. My focus was on one place.

I stormed onto the balcony, ready for a fight. Prepared to end a friendship of a lifetime.

Except, Roman was seated at a table, his head bent over the phone in his hand. Vi was by the rail, staring at the view. Roman looked up as I appeared, a slow grin on his face.

“Took you long enough.” He stood, clapping me on the shoulder. “Go get your girl.”

“What?” I sputtered.

“Me and Nonna. What a team.”

Then he strolled away, whistling. Vi glanced over her shoulder. “You didn’t really fall for that.”

“Of course not.”

She turned, leaning back against the rail. “Yet, here you are.”

My anger peaked, and I covered the space between us quickly. “No more dancing with the Costas brothers. Or anyone else.”

“Is that a fact?” she murmured. “Who will I dance with?”

“Me.” I yanked her into my arms. “And I don’t want to hear a word about your toes.”

Except as I began to move, my body felt different. In sync with hers. Vi sighed and leaned her head on my chest. It fit there far better than it had on Roman’s shoulder.

“See?” she whispered. “You can dance. You just needed the right partner.” She lifted her hand, running her fingers over my neck. “We always move well together.” She nestled closer, clutching my back. “People say dancing is like making love standing up.”

I grunted. We made love well. Then it hit me. She was right. I was dancing with her. Slowly, not as gracefully as Roman, but we moved together.

She fit me perfectly.

Everywhere.

She always had.

And she always would.

I stopped, looking down at her. Her eyes glittered in the light. “Tell me,” I said. “Tell me your words again.”

She swallowed, looking nervous. “I love you, Aldo Ricci.”

“I love you, Violet Nelson. Every fucking thing about you. You were made for me.”

The glitter became liquid, and tears spilled over her cheeks. “Yes, I was. Took you long enough to figure it out.”

“I know and I’m sorry. The feelings were there for a long time, but it took me a while to find the words.” I bent and captured her mouth, tasting her tears and her smile. Tasting her love that had always been there.

“You’re not going back to your apartment.”

“I’m not?”

“No. You’re staying with me at the house. Because when you’re there, it’s a home, and I want to share that home with you. You’ve been looking for a place to belong. You found it. With me.”

“You’ve been saving up lots of words, I see. Anything else?”

“We’re getting married.”

“Right now?”