40. Ilaria
40
ILARIA
D ante helped me into my reception dress, a silk slip dress that hugs my curves. His hands so gentle as he touches me. Just as gentle as they were when he cleaned me up after we made love.
The dress change is what we are going to tell people was the cause for us leaving the wedding. Our love making staying private between us.
“You’re so beautiful, wife.” His hand reaches out, his rosary bumping my wrist as he weaves our fingers together.
The pair of us are looking in the mirror at each other and I wish that I could call it a night but I want to talk to my friends.
Ten minutes later we’re being announced as a couple, walking towards the head table where our friends are waiting for us. And I feel better seeing my girls there.
As dinner is being served I make an excuse to Dante and then we’re all taking over the bathroom. Tessa is shoving a chair under the door as Maddie opens a window and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. We all are one because we need to talk and this is how we’re going to do it.
“Sammie, I am so sorry.” I whisper out because I can feel the sting of tears, “I didn’t want you to have to marry anyone. And I didn’t know that he was part of everything.”
Sammie’s ex from high school, the one person who she ever loved being in the Cartel had been something from left field that none of us expected.
She looks at me, pushing off from the counter and wrapping her arm around me in a hug.
“Ilaria, we all came into this together. This friendship is always going to be us doing everything together. So I have to marry my ex for a year. All that means is that I’m finally going to get revenge on him.” She smiles at this and we all know that he deserves whatever crazy that she is about to bring to him.
Turning, Sammie looks to where Becca is smoking near the window. She is looking at her like I must have just been looking at her.
“Are you okay, Becca?” It had been for Becca that we had started the revenge and now we were marrying into it.
Smiling, Becca shrugs her shoulder.
“I mean you are marrying him. I feel like this is the cherry on top.” We laugh at this, “But seriously, the past couple years hitting them up has been so healing. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it fully. What happened was awful but I do think I’m not hung up on it like I was before. I’m just ready to move on.” She shrugs as she takes a drag of her cigarette as Tessa bumps her arm.
“Move on like finally sleep with Francesco?” Her eyes narrow.
“Don’t say his name. Haven’t you learned your lesson?” She hisses, pushing open a stall like he is suddenly going to appear there.
We all smile and she shakes her head, ready to protest what we’re doing.
“Francesco.”
“Francesco”
“Francesco.”
“Darling Doves, did you call for me?” A knock on the bathroom door makes us all dissolve into a fit of giggles as Becca glares at us.
“Go away!” She calls out and Fransisco snorts from the other side of the door but we hear him move away as we all finish our smokes, the air cleared between us.
Maddie opens her clutch bag and I groan as she starts hanging out little bottles of cinnamon liquor.
“We have to do it.” She says as we all crack them open, stepping closer to each other.
“To good times, good friends, and good trouble.”
And we take our shots, ready to go enjoy the night together because it’s a party and what’s better than being with your besties at a party?