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“I’m going to shower and get ready,” I say, overwhelmed.
The men exchange glances, and I bet both Dominic and Luca would be more than happy for Matteo to head into the master bedroom with me, and I need him, but the doorbell rings.
“I’ll get it,” Matteo says with a warm squeeze to my hip. “You get going.”
I’m already in the bedroom when I recognize Benedict’s voice over his brothers’ as they make some joke about fucking tinsel I missed. I smile through my tears. This. This is what I missed for twelve long years. The easy camaraderie of being with people who’ve known you all your life. People who care more than I could ever imagine.
And I don’t want to miss out. Not anymore. Tonight is a happy night, and I won’t reflect on the past. I shower quickly but my hair takes time to blow dry. By the time I’ve dressed and put on make-up, it’s a whole forty minutes later, but I have my emotions in a solid chokehold.
When I walk into the living area again, more people have arrived. Rosalia and Burley, some other business partners of Matteo’s, and Bryce Sutherland with his wife Izzy, who were the architects on this apartment’s remodeling. From what I gather, they haven’t been married for very long, but Izzy and I are the same age and at last there’s someone I have something in common with. We get along like a house on fire.
I grin as I walk over to them where they’re standing with Matteo. “I love what you’ve done here,” I say, somewhat giddy as I take in the living area filled with people and happiness. This is us. When you strip everything else away, this is me and Matteo. “Don’t you think it turned out stunning with the Christmas tree and all?” I wanted something warmer than Matteo’s black marble, glass and steel look he has going on the next floor up. The Sutherlands opted for warmer, earthy tones and a light brown leather sectional, with lighting that in a dark December makes all the difference.
Matteo hands me a glass of Champagne and has his hand on my hip, stroking over the silk of my ruby red dress, which I kind of got for Christmas and this housewarming. “It turned out stunning,” Matteo says. “Because I worked with the best.”
Bryce smiles as he raises his glass. “We aim to please.”
“You have an amazing collection of Christmas decorations,” Izzy says as she raises her glass to the tree.
“It was my mom’s thing,” I say. “European Christmas markets. As a kid we used to go every second year.”
The conversation carries on, but I glaze over. The apartment is filling up. We won’t be able to host more than thirty people here with space and breathing room—not in the winter at least. In summer the balcony will give more space.
“Where’s Stephano?” I ask as I turn to Matteo. I knew someone was missing.
“He’ll be here soon, now that you’re ready.”
I hitch my eyebrows at him. “What have you plotted beyond this Christmas tree surprise, husband?”
Matteo just grins, that naughty grin I’ve got to know and love. Oh boy…
The doorbell rings and Matteo pulls his phone from his ass pocket. “That will be Stephano. Right on cue.” He takes me by the hand and leads me to the sectional where he makes me take a seat. “You might need to sit down for this, kitten.”
“Matteo—” Now I’m on some spiky adrenaline rush that’s fueled by anticipation. What has this man done, and what is he going to do next?
There’s a commotion at the door but I can’t see because the foyer is designed in such a way that it’s secluded from the rest of the apartment.
Benedict’s and Dom’s voices sound, but they’re muffled.
“I’m good,” Stephano says loud and clear. “I’ve managed all the way from upstairs, haven’t I? Don’t ruin the effect now.”
As he comes into the room, my eyes widen. Stephano is technically hiding behind a tier of three circular boxes, from big to small, that he carries with some care.
“And the man of the moment arrives,” Matteo says with a chuckle. “Told him I’d make it up to him.”
“Where is she? Tash?” Stephano asks as he peers over the boxes. He seems to be very cautious not to drop anything.
“I’m here,” I say, laughing now as I scoot to the edge of the seat.
I watch as Matteo meets Stephano halfway to make sure the boxes don’t fall. Hmm. Whatever is in there is breakable.
“This way.” Matteo guides his brother and Stephano meets my gaze.
“When he said he’d make it up to me, this wasn’t what I had in mind,” Stephano teases. That’s our little inside joke. Apparently, Matteo is still making up a lot of things to Stephano.
“I can’t imagine what would be better than hand-delivering my wife’s housewarming gift to her,” Matteo says with a smirk.
As if I need more than this man. This apartment is already a crazy thing he’s done for me, and now?—
