Page 95 of Roman

We sat in the sunshine, sipping champagne. I told Nonna the wedding was the following Friday, and she looked at me askance.

“Roman. How?” Her eyes widened. “Why?”

“Because I don’t want to wait. Nothing else,” I said firmly. “I want to marry Effie and move us here. She’ll be happier.”

Nonna looked delighted. “I will love that.” She narrowed her eyes. “You will be here more?”

“Yes. I promised Effie I will.”

“Good. You need a life.”

I laughed at her reprimand. I stood, taking Effie’s hand, and we went inside. We went to my wing, and I indicated the rooms. “Look around. Change what you want, but not my office.”

“Oh. Ah, I think I’ll get used to the space first.”

I nodded. “It is rather masculine. Try not to go overboard on the girly stuff.”

She smiled. “Maybe just a little softening.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist, drawing her back to my chest. “I can hardly wait to have you in that bed, Effie. Make it smell like you. Like us.”

“With your nonna down the hall,” she murmured, teasing.

I chuckled, nipping her neck. “The other side of my—our—very large house. And she takes her hearing aids out at night. You can scream as loud as you want, she won’t hear you.” I kissed the soft skin. “And if she did, she’d ignore it, knowing we were trying to make her grandbabies.”

She turned in my arms. “Roman, are you⁠—”

I cut her off. “Yes, Little Tiger. No more questions or doubts. We are getting married.”

I took her hand and went down the hall. “You can have this room. Make it into whatever you want. A reading place. A room where you can be alone. It has a great view.”

She walked to the window. “It is lovely.”

I went behind her, resting my chin on her shoulder. The vineyards looked endless from here. The dense trees on the two sides of the property offered privacy. The sun glinted off the water in the pool to the one side. “Peaceful,” I agreed.

“Can I plant some vegetables?”

“Yes. There is a garden Nonna likes to work in. You can add what you like.” I watched the trees sway in the light breeze. “This will be your home, Effie. You will be the mistress of this house. It is yours to do with what you like.” I paused. “This is Nonna’s home as well.”

“I would never disrespect her.”

“I know,” I replied. “And she will step aside on any decisions.”

“She won’t have to. We can work together.”

Something warm dripped into my chest. Her words were soft, her voice sweet. There was nothing but truth in her words. I spun her, kissing her. When we pulled apart, I rested my forehead to hers. “I can’t wait to marry you. To call you Effie Costas. My wife.”

Her smile made me feel ten feet tall.

Luca was reserved but polite when I introduced him to Effie. Justine was more exuberant, chatting to Effie like an old friend. We sat at my table in Maple II, away from prying eyes.

Aside from my brother’s, that is.

Effie had become decidedly more nervous as we approached the city, her grip on my hand tightening as the hotel came into view. I hadn’t offered her any words of comfort other than to keep my hand clasped with hers and squeeze her fingers. I had no idea how my brother would act, but if he was out of line, I would step in.

By the time the appetizers were done, he seemed warmer toward her. Cordial.

“How did Nonna react to the news?” he asked me quietly, watching his wife and my fiancée interact.