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Knowing he’ll never hurt me and it’s safe to be vulnerable, I admit, “I have.”
His eyes darken as he stares at me.
“I love you, Damiano,” I say the words out loud for the first time in my life.
He shoots to his feet, his hands cup my cheeks, and his mouth takes mine in a feverish kiss.
When his body tries to push mine toward the bed, I place my hands on his chest and break the kiss.
“No sex. I have to get ready, and so do you,” I say sternly.
He lets out an unintelligible sound, then sighs. Brushing his palms up and down my sides, he mutters, “I can’t wait for this day to be over.”
I lift my hand to his jaw, and he presses a kiss to my palm.
“Go get ready and wait for me at the altar.”
“Don’t make me wait long,” he orders before he walks to the door. He looks at me one last time then leaves.
Feeling like a queen, I look at my reflection in the mirror.
Aunt Aida and Aunt Greta have gone to take their seats, and everyone’s waiting for me.
There’s a knock at the door, and when I glance over my shoulder, I see Carlo.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod, and turning around, I walk toward him.
“Did Damiano send you to make sure I don’t run away?” I ask.
He lets out a chuckle. “Something like that.”
As we wait for the elevator, he clears his throat. “You look beautiful, Gabriella.”
“Thank you.”
The doors open, and we step inside. Carlo has to help me with the dress so it doesn’t get caught in the doors.
When we step out onto the first floor, Carlo says, “Good luck.”
I suck in a deep breath and walk down the hallway toward the sunroom.
Damiano refused for the wedding to be held outside. He didn’t want me out in the cold wearing only a dress.
I stop a couple of feet before the doorway, and Carlo heads inside to give the signal that I’m ready.
The notes slowly start to fill the air as ‘Pachelbel Canon in D’ begins to play.
I close my eyes and suck in a desperate breath.
Don’t cry.
Slowly, I start to walk, and when I enter the room, my eyes search for Damiano. Finding him, I keep my gaze locked on my groom, and with my head held high, I walk toward the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with.
When he sees me, it looks like he takes a physical blow to the stomach, even staggering a step back, and tears jump to my eyes.
His jaw clenches, but then he shakes his head, and emotions tighten his features.
