Chapter 46
Rosie
I arrive at the bridal shop out of breath, just in time to avoid the wrath of Val. The girls welcome me with a mix of relief and curiosity in their eyes. I'm happy to see that Ethan is also there, knowing him, he wouldn't have missed a wedding dress shopping day and I'm glad he's integrated well with everyone.
"Finally!" exclaims Val, hugging me. "We were about to send out a search party."
"Sorry again," I murmur, trying to tidy my hair. "I had... an eventful morning."
Lexy raises an eyebrow, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Eventful, huh? This story deserves more details."
"Ah, so that's how it's said now? Piccola, you won't get away with it that easily," says Ethan, gesturing and emphasizing the nickname "piccola" that he's given me since the day I announced I would be leaving for Italy.
Before I can respond, Maria comes out of the dressing room, her face radiant.
The store is a true paradise for brides. White and ivory dresses fill every corner, a butler in livery approaches with a tray of fizzing champagne flutes.
"Oh, this is definitely the right way to start," laughs Val, grabbing a glass.
Meanwhile, my best friend, who is also the best in fashion, hands Maria a load of dresses he has chosen for the fitting.
My chest tightens when I think that he will also stay here... and that he will finally devote himself to his first collection.
As Maria begins to try on the first dresses, we settle on the velvet sofas, sipping champagne and commenting on each dress.
"So," begins Val, turning to me with an inquisitive look. "Are you going to tell us what happened with the sexy cowboy?"
I feel my cheeks flush. "Nothing much," I try to divert, but my smile betrays me.
"Oh, come on!" exclaims Lexy. "That smile says otherwise. Spit it out!"
I take another sip of champagne, already feeling more relaxed. "Okay, okay. Alex and I... well, let's just say we've cleared things up."
The girls burst into excited squeals, attracting the attention of some sales assistants.
"Details, we want details!" insists Lexy, refilling our glasses.
"Clearing things up... does that mean you just had sex like the world was going to end tomorrow, or that you're now together?" Ethan asks with his usual boldness.
I turn ten shades of purple and red... and try to hide behind my flute.
But everyone has their eyes on me and it doesn't seem they'll let me go any further without an answer.
I take a sip and whisper "both."
And that's how everyone erupts in laughter, applause, and shouts of "thank goodness."
Luckily, another round of champagne arrives.
Maria continues to try on dresses, but our attention is divided between her and my increasingly detailed account.
"So," says Val with a grin, "does the cowboy know how to use his... lasso?"
I burst out laughing, almost choking on the champagne. "Val! You're terrible!"
"Oh, come on!" Lexy interjects. "I bet he rides very well."
At this point, we're laughing so hard that some customers look at us scandalized. Maria comes out of the dressing room with another dress, but we're too caught up in our hysteria to notice her right away.
"Girls?" Maria calls, trying to get our attention. "What do you think of this one?"
We all turn to her, trying to compose ourselves. Maria looks stunning in a mermaid dress that perfectly accentuates her figure.
"Wow," Lexy manages to say between sniffles of laughter. "You're... hic... gorgeous!"
"Yes," I agree, wiping away tears of laughter. "Dad will be left breathless."
But we all turn to Ethan. He has the final word. Our tacit agreement is that we trust his good taste and opinion.
He's already crying and runs to hug Maria.
No words are needed at this point.
Val gets up, with her classic contagious smile. "We have to toast to this!" she exclaims, grabbing a new bottle of champagne.
The sales assistant looks at us with a mix of amusement and concern as we refill the glasses.
"To the perfect dress!" shouts Lexy.
"And to cowboys who know how to use the lasso!" adds Val with a mischievous wink.
We all burst out laughing again, including Maria, who, despite not having drunk, seems to be infected by our euphoria... and amused by our conversations. She's fantastic, and I don't have a hard time imagining where the girls get their temperament. I know nothing about Val and Lexy's father... but they definitely have Maria's spirit.
In that moment, despite the champagne and raucous laughter, I feel a deep wave of affection for these women. For Maria, who is about to become part of my family. For my friends, who are always by my side. And for myself, for finally opening my heart to love.
Obviously for Ethan as well. My very first friend. The one who's had my back for years and continues to do so. The brother I never had.
"One last toast," I propose, raising my almost-empty glass. "To family, in all its forms."
"To family," they all repeat, and in that moment, surrounded by laughter and affection, I truly feel at home.
After finally finding the perfect dress for Maria, we leave the bridal shop, still laughing and slightly swaying.
"Okay," says Val, clinging to my arm to keep her balance, "we can't end the day here. It's too early!"
"I agree!" exclaims Lexy. "How about we go for an aperitif? I know a great place nearby."
As soon as we sit down, a waiter approaches with the menus. "Can I get you something to drink?"
Before Maria can suggest something non-alcoholic, Lexy intervenes: "A bottle of your finest prosecco, please!"
The aperitif quickly turns into another session of laughter and banter. The prosecco flows freely, and with it our inhibitions continue to lower. And the food... it's delicious. I've never eaten such a large quantity of olives, mini pizzas, meatballs, and rustici (or as I've learned, as a perfect local resident: olive, pizzette, polpette e rustici). This is my first Italian aperitif since I've been here... and I'm already obsessed.
"So, Rosie," says Lexy, leaning on the table with a mischievous smile, "have you already thought about what your wedding to the cowboy will be like?"
I almost choke on the bite I was eating. "Lexy! Alex and I are just starting to..."
"Oh, come on!" Ethan interjects. "It's clear from a mile away that you two are made for each other. I bet you'll be at the altar within a year!"
I feel my cheeks flush, but I can't deny that the idea makes me smile. "You guys are getting ahead of yourselves. For now, I'm just happy as I am."
Maria smiles at me sweetly. "Love has its own timing. Let Rosie and Alex enjoy this moment."
"Right!" exclaims Val, raising her glass. "A toast to Rosie and her sexy cowboy! May they ride happily into the sunset!"
We all burst out laughing, once again attracting the attention of other customers.
As the evening progresses, the conversation moves from one topic to another, and with every glass of prosecco, we become more sentimental.
"You know something?" says Ethan, his eyes glistening. "I'm so happy to have you all in my life. You girls are my family." Typical of my sentimental best friend.
I adore him, and it's impossible not to love him - he's a pure and spontaneous soul.
"Aww, Ethan!" exclaims Lexy, hugging him. "You're our family too!"
Soon we find ourselves in a group hug, laughing and crying at the same time.
Suddenly, I feel the need to share with my friends and Maria the decisions I've made.
"Girls," I say, addressing the girls since Ethan already knows, "there's something I need to tell you."
Everyone turns to me, their eyes a little hazy from the alcohol but attentive. I take a deep breath.
"I've decided to move here... I'd love to stay at the ranch" I announce, feeling a smile form on my lips as I say those words out loud.
For a moment, there's silence at the table. Then, suddenly, they burst into shouts of joy.
"Oh, Rosie!" exclaims Val, almost spilling her drink in an attempt to hug me. "This is wonderful!"
Lexy and Maria join in the hug, creating a tangle of arms and laughter.
Maria, with glistening eyes, takes my hand. "Rosie, darling, you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. Robert will be thrilled."
I feel tears in my eyes. "Really?"
Maria nods, squeezing my hand. "Your father loves you so much, Rosie. Knowing that you'll be staying close to him... well, it will be the most wonderful gift you could give him."
"There's more," I add, feeling emboldened by their reaction. "I've decided to change careers. I want... I want to become a writer."
The girls remain silent for a moment, then burst into another wave of enthusiasm.
"It's always been my dream," I admit, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "But I never had the courage to truly pursue it. Until..."
"Until the sexy cowboy came along," Ethan finishes with a grin.
I laugh, nodding. "Yes, until Alex came. He... he made me realize that I can do it. He's encouraged me to follow my dreams."
Maria smiles at me sweetly. "Love does that, darling. It gives us the strength to be the best version of ourselves."
"A toast!" exclaims Lexy, raising her glass. "To Rosie, her new life at the ranch, and her writing career!"
We all raise our glasses, toasting with laughter and a few tears of joy.
"So," says Val with a mischievous smile, "your first book will be a love story set on a ranch, right? With a sexy cowboy as the protagonist?"
I burst out laughing, feeling light and happy. "Who knows? Maybe. I certainly won't be lacking in inspiration."
"Oh, I'm sure of that," says Ethan with a wink. "Especially for the steamy scenes!"
We all laugh, the atmosphere charged with joy and affection.
Suddenly, I miss Aurora. It would have been nice to have her here with us today.
"I'm sorry Aurora couldn't be here," I let slip.
"Oh, we can fix that! We absolutely have to update her!" yells Val with her usual energy... and she starts a video call. The call that will be the longest of my life because our little friend is the most curious and grudging person in the world.
In that moment, surrounded by my friends and Maria, with my heart full of love for Alex and excitement for my future, I feel truly complete. I've found my place in the world, and I'm ready to embrace this new adventure with all my heart.
In the end, Ethan admits he wants to move here and surprises everyone by announcing his plan to launch his first clothing brand. The girls couldn’t be happier, and Val doesn’t waste a moment before offering him a job. The ranch’s athletes need uniforms, and there’s no one better than Ethan to design them. Still, not wanting to turn the evening into a work meeting, they all agree to discuss it properly tomorrow. Aurora is, of course, over the moon, but she can’t hide her frustration at having missed the “juicy moments,”
as she calls them.
Three hundred questions and a bit of pouting later, we're ready to go home.
Home...
"Thank you," I say, feeling emotional. "For your support, for your friendship. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Oh, Rosie," says Maria, her eyes glistening. "We're the ones who are lucky to have you. And I'm so happy to be a part of this family."
We hug again, laughing and crying at the same time. The future is bright, full of possibilities, and I can't wait to live it, with Alex by my side and these wonderful people as my extended family.