Chapter 28
Alessandro
11 Days Until The Wedding
L uci and I drive into the city with Enzo following us in a separate car. Her face is calm with a blue sparkle in her eyes, and it hits me. Content. Happy. That’s what blue means. I realize in that moment I’d do anything to keep that shine on her face and in her eyes.
Suddenly Luci squeals and I practically swerve into ongoing traffic when she reaches for the volume, turning the music up loud enough that I can barely hear myself think. I learn something new about Luci every day, and today I found out she’s an awful singer. She hasn’t matched any notes in the song and despite the beautiful dance we had in the garden, her signature dance moves right now are all snaps and shoulder movements.
We’re at a red light and I’m trying to stifle a laugh as I watch her until she notices me. Her dance moves halt, mid-snap, and she presses her lips together, her face and chest turning bright red. I turn down the music, still staring at her until she gets the courage to speak.
She leans back, staring down at her hands as she fidgets with her engagement ring when she finally says something. “I like that song.”
“I figured.” I’ve missed the light turning green until Enzo, who’s behind us, honks, snapping me back into reality.
The first place we pull up to is Mr. Esposito’s jewelry shop to pick out her wedding band. I open the door and hold out my hand for Luci, noting she’s regularly been wearing her engagement ring when I kiss it and lead her into the shop. Mr. Esposito is waiting behind the counter for us. The rest of the store has shut down for our private appointment.
“Luci! Bella ragazza! Come, come. I have ideas for your wedding band.” Mr. Esposito ignores me to focus on the important person.
She follows him to the first case as I stand close by. “Whatever she wants, Mr. Esposito. Remember, cost is no issue.”
The wedding bands he shows to her vary from a basic platinum band to one surrounded with diamonds to match the band of her engagement ring. I can’t keep myself from staring at her as she tries on bands, imagining which one I’ll slide on her finger when she becomes my wife. After trying on a few, she turns around, looking for approval.
“Alessandro. What do you think? I know you care more than I do.” There was one ring specifically that I could practically envision placing on her finger as I vow to be hers until death do us part.
I point to the platinum ring with diamonds surrounding it. “That one. Get it sized and I’ll pick it up by the end of the week.”
Mr. Esposito nods in my direction, making a fuss about how beautiful the ring is while speaking to Luci.
Luci turns in my direction after things are in motion for her ring. “We still need to pick out your ring, Alessandro.”
“I’ve had mine picked out since I knew I’d be marrying you.” I tilt Luci’s chin up and kiss her before I walk her out to the car, passing Enzo as he taps his chin twice. Our signal that he needs to talk privately. When she’s in the vehicle, I walk back to Enzo.
“What’s wrong?” He surveys our surroundings, making sure Luci can’t hear anything.
“Caterina is here. For a second I thought she recognized me before she disappeared into a shop across the street.” Enzo’s voice is low and official.
I’m questioning if my original plan to take Luci to lunch is a good idea or not. I promised her a day of fun and I don’t want to disappoint her, risking the chance of the blue fading from her eyes. Fuck. “Okay. We’re going to lunch. Stay close and if Luci walks anywhere, you’re her shadow. Got it?” I don’t wait for an answer before getting in the car with Luci, pretending that I didn’t hear that Caterina is close by.
Lunch couldn’t be better until I catch a glance of Luci’s shocked face before she notices me and looks back down at her salad.
“What happened?” With Enzo seeing Caterina earlier, I’m suspicious that maybe she saw us too.
“Nothing. I’m just shocked about how good the food is.” She may say she’s shocked, but I’m truly shocked about how bad that lie was. She couldn’t lie if her life depended on it—something a Catholic upbringing instills. Either you suck at lying or it becomes a second language.
She pushes back her seat, almost jumping to her feet. “I have to use the bathroom.” Luci walks off and I nod at Enzo to follow her, not only to keep her safe, but to keep her close. I can’t give her a chance to leave. Not only because of the debt, but because I crave her presence.