“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 giveher a chance to leave. Not only because of the debt, but because I crave her presence.
Chapter 29
Luci
11 Days Until The Wedding
Ilove seeing this human side of Alessandro. The side that’s kind and enjoyable to be around. Leaving his house and going out has been the nicest thing we’ve done together. I look up from my plate, seeing the last person I’d expect over Alessandro’s shoulder: my mamma. She tilts her head toward the bathroom before disappearing in that direction.
A gasp escapes my mouth and Alessandro narrows his eyes at me suspiciously while I stare back down at my salad.
“What’s wrong?”
Unsure what to say, a lie escapes—a terrible lie. Stupid Catholic upbringing. “Nothing. I’m just shocked about how good the food is.” What? Shocked by how good the food is? Who am I?
It’s obvious that Alessandro knows something is going on. I don’t give him a chance to say anything else before I run off. “I have to use the bathroom.”
Knowing Enzo will most likely follow me, I disappear into the bathroom before he’s able to stop me. The three-stall bathroom is eerily quiet and if I didn’t know Mamma was waiting, I’d assume I’m alone. She appears from the last stall, eyes full of tears.
She pulls me into a tight hug, a hug only a mamma can give. “My Luci Girl! Please tell me you’re okay.” Pulling back, she surveys me making sure I’m physically okay. She steps back and sighs and I know she sees something she doesn’t approve of.
“Oh, Luci. When?”
My brows pull together, wondering what she’s talking about. “When what?”
Her tone is hard with her next words that make my stomach drop. “You let him lie with you.”
“What? What do you mean?” I stiffen up, trying to find something to focus on other than her disappointed face.
“I can tell by your hips, your breasts they’re different. You let him inside you. When did this happen?”
What? “You can’t tell by someone’s body when that happens. It’s not scientifically possible. It’s something the nuns told us at school to scare us.”
“I thought the same thing until your nonna knew mere hours later. Now, stop avoiding the question, Luciana Stella Bonacci.” Ouch. My full name.
I’m too fed up with fighting. Alessandro broke that out of me. “Several days before we had our lunch. I’m sorry, Mamma, it just happened.” I’m trying to keep tears from falling. Not because I regret laying with Alessandro, but because I’ve upset her.
