She eyes him, but immediately breaks her spell and practically leaps into his arms.
Topher signals for me to come close. “Listen, dude, I swear I didn’t know until yesterday Ricky was bringing someone.” He prattles on about how Sienna wanted to save Ricky the money by him flying back to New York for the free PJ, but I’m not really listening.
“A boyfriend,” I correct, and he winces. “Dude, it’s fine. I’m chill.”
“Since when do you say ‘dude’? You’ve been hanging around Matty too much?” Topher asks, pulling me in for another hug.
“Hello?” Zia Rosa yells. “Are we chopped liver or something?”
“Yeah, get out of the way,” Ma commands. “I need to hug my nephew!”
“Eh!” Nonna yells, and the crowds part like she’s Moses and we’re the Red Sea. She waddles over, and he instinctively bends down to meet her five-foot-two frame. He may be over six feet, but her demeanor towers over all of us. She grabs and holds his chin steady with both hands. “Let me get a good look at you, mio regazzo! So big.” She kisses each of his cheeks. “That flight nearly killed me. You’re lucky I love you.” Then, without warning, she shoves his face to the side, and peers around him for Sienna, who is flanked by Ricky, Cam, Monroe, Benny, and Jenni Lee. She coughs and everyone stops talking.
“Mi amore.” Topher reaches out to Sienna, who gracefully moves toward us.
Sienna kisses the ring of the Lemon Coven Supreme. “Hi, Nonna! It’s so nice to see you; it’s been so long!”
“You’ve grown up too! I feel so old,” Nonna says, right before grabbing Sienna’s face and pulling her forward for an invasively wet kiss on either cheek. In one swift move, Nonna wedges herself between her and Topher. “Show me around; I’ve been cooped up with all these chickens for too long. I need to stretch my legs.”
I don’t bother to stifle my yawns. Matty elbows me.
Topher laughs. “Rough travel on the PJ? Why don’t you guysget settled in your suite—you two are sharing. I figured you guys don’t want to be with the Coven.” Topher tries to whisper, but Zia Rosa and Ma both hiss. “I gotthemin a three-room suite on the other side of the villa.”
“They’re gonna kill each other,” I say.
“Welcome to the circus. You guys are down a level, with your own hot tub and hammock.” Topher motions Vincenze, who moves to grab our luggage. “Per favore, portali nella loro stanza?” He turns his attention back to us. “Sienna’s parents are hosting dinner tonight in the main dining room in, like, two hours.”
It makes me slightly uncomfortable that Ricky’s Sienna’s parents are hosting. I also feel awkward seeing them—I shouldn’t, they were practically my second mom and dad growing up, but it felt like I lost them when I lost Ricky. I just hope I’m not stuck sitting across from Ricky and Cam looking all perfect and in love.
“You guys are ripe. Go shower and relax,” Topher finishes. “After dinner, we’ll have all the time in the world to catch up. I’ve missed you guys.”
“It’s nice to see you again, little brother,” Sienna says to me. Growing up, since Ricky and I spent nearly all our time together, Sienna was the big sister I never had, and though we lost touch, seeing her does feel like seeing family. “Topher told me you werestillhaving a hard time with the breakup.”
Still?Though it’s a good reminder that she’s Ricky’s sister. Her loyalty is to him, despite the empathy in her tone. She grabs my arm gingerly, like I’m a porcelain doll that might break.
I plaster a fake smile on my face. I’m not about to ruin her wedding by telling her how I feel about seeing Ricky with Cam, or divulge my evil plan to break them up.
“Me, I’m great! Honestly thriving. Never been better.” Okay, Field, you’re laying it on thick. Reel it in. “Best year of my life.”
Her pupils expand as she narrows her eyes. “Ithasbeen great seeing you thrive on Clock. Your content is so fun and funny. You’re so good. You could totally host a TV show, I tell Topher all the time!”
Cam and Ricky are watching, so I hook my arm into Sienna’s. “Thanks so much, sis. I’ve missed you. It’s been so long; we havesomuch to catch up on!”
“Yes, please!” she squeals, and we start filling each other in like no time had passed at all. I watch as Cam tries not to look fazed, hooking his arm on to Ricky and talking with Ricky’s mom, which, won’t lie, makes my side pang with jealousy. “Oh! I have a big favor to ask of you for tomorrow.”
I can’t help but smirk because she says it so loud Cam turns.
Operation: Ricky @ Second Glance commencesnow.
First stop—winning over the family. Check!
Your move, Cam.
The courtyard in the center of the main villa is full of lush, manicured grass and cobblestones dotted with hammocks and lounge chairs. Grand staircases wind down stone walls to new levels, and the pool.
Matty and I follow Vincenze away from the pool and around a bend toward a private entrance. Outside is a hot tub beneath a lemon tree and, inside, our room. I exhale the second we step into our bright white, airy room. It’s nothing special—standard room with two double beds and a standing shower, veryminimal. There’s a large double picture window that’s currently open on both sides, letting the warm breeze in. I move to close it, hoping to cool down the space. The sun beams directly inside.
“Sorry, but there’s no air-conditioning in this room,” Vin-cenze says, carefully choosing his words. His accent is thick, but his pronunciation is impeccable. “If you leave it open, it will cool down at night. There’s acqua and Coca-Cola in the fridge. Formag-gio. Vino from a local vigneto in Ravello. If you desire, I can make espresso or cappuccino.”
