Chapter One
Isabella
“All right. I think we’re ready. Are they ready out there?” Sofia sounds as if she’s running a marathon.
I walk over to her and put my hands on her shoulders.
“They’re ready. Bash is standing at the end of the aisle waiting for you. Uncle Tony is standing right over there,” I gesture to where he’s patiently waiting, “ready to walk you down the aisle to the man of your dreams. Now stop and take a deep breath. I know this has been a lot for you in a short amount of time, but just breathe. Everything is working out the way it’s supposed to.”
She takes a couple of deep breaths before she gives me a warm smile. “Thanks, Iz. I’m ready.”
I lean in and brush an air kiss to her cheek, being careful of her makeup. “Go get your man, babe.”
“You go grab yours.”
I follow her gaze over to Giovanni waiting with the guys.
I have to admit the worst part about the wedding is having to be here with him. When Sofia asked me to be a bridesmaid and share the maid of honor duties with Mia, I had been ecstatic. I felt as if my feelings of sisterhood had been validated. While I know they love me, my insecurities of it not being real are always there.
The sweet moment is overshadowed by the knowledge of who the best man is. OrareI should say. Since Sofia chose two maids of honor, she told Bash he had to have two best men, Lorenzo and Giovanni.
I went five fucking years living my life without having to deal with him. He kept his distance, and I kept mine. Then Sofia walked into our lives and ruined it all.
Okay, that makes me sound bitter. I’m not upset about her happiness. I’m mad because all that time away from Giovanni did nothing to mend my broken heart. Every time I spot him on the street or he comes into Bello Italiano, my heart races then aches for him. I wish I could stop it, but the heart wants what it wants. It doesn’t care that we can’t be with him.
Mia offered to let me walk down the aisle with Lo, but I can’t do that to her. They’re so in love it's nauseating. Lo went from being the strong silent type to the strong silent type who constantly has his hands on Mia or is kissing her. I just feel so…
Envious.
Ugh. Of course I’m envious of them! I thought I would have that one day. Then it all ended abruptly. My life changed forever in more ways than one.
“Izzy, are you okay?” I look up to find Sofia frowning at me.
“I’m fine. Sorry, lost in my thoughts. Let’s get you married.”
She grabs my hand as I turn to walk away.
“You can walk down with Lo. I can keep him away from you.”
I let out a cleansing breath. “I appreciate it, babe. Really, I do. I can handle this though. Giovanni’s going to be a part of my life whether I like it or not. Might as well start embracing it instead of fighting it.” I shrug and walk over to the man in question.
“Izzy, you look gorgeous.”
I roll my eyes at him. I know he wants us to have another shot, but I just can’t. I never honestly told him why we broke up back then. If he knew, he might not be pushing for a second chance.
“Only friends call me Izzy. Please call me Isabella.”
“Really?” He looks exasperated.
“Let’s just make it through this wedding, Giovanni. Then we can go back to barely speaking.”
I watch the hurt in his eyes before his mask slips into place.
“Of course, Isabella. Shall we?” He holds out his arm.
I reluctantly take it before glancing back at Mia and Lo. Usually they’re so caught up in each other that they don’t notice anyone else. Instead, Mia is giving me a concerned look, and Lo is staring at the back of Giovanni’s head.
I give Mia a smile and turn back around and face Greer and Matt, the other two bridal party members. Matty is an important part of my life, so seeing Greer, Bash’s younger sister, batting her eyes up at him concerns me. I make a mental note to talk to him later.
