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“As long as he treats you right and you’re happy, that’s all that matters. Are you bringing him to the launch?”

Crossing her legs, Aella nodded. “He’ll be there.”

“That’s what’s up. I can’t wait to meet the man who snatched my dawg off the market,” he said, before his expression shifted. “But I can’t lie, I didn’t pop in just to congratulate you. The designer you hired to create the graphics for next quarter’s launch went MIA.”

“What?” Aella’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? How the hell am I supposed to find someone willing to take on such a large project on such short notice?”

“We may have to pay a convenience fee to get it done, but I did some research and found someone I think can handle the pressure. I can shoot you all the info if you’d like.”

“Please,” Aella sighed, glancing at her watch and realizing it was almost noon. “I’ll look it over tomorrow. I have to run. I have a thing tonight, and my mom will kill me if I’m late.”

“Cool. I’ll wrap everything up and get it over to you. If you approve, I’ll write up the proposal and send it out.”

“Thanks, Tris. I don’t know what I would do without you,” she said, leaving her office.

A while later, she was thoroughly amused as she watched her mother fight with centerpieces.

“Ma, you don’t think you’re going a bit overboard?” Aella giggled, fingering a petal of one of the lilies resting in a vase. For the better part of an hour, Victoria had been setting, resetting, and adjusting the long dining table in the center of the private event space they’d rented for the evening.

It was the first time the Torrisi and Farina families would be spotted publicly since Aella and Cassius’ engagement rumors had leaked—a move purposely orchestrated by both families.

“Stop that,” Victoria scolded, lightly swatting Aella’s hand. “And if you ask me, I’m not doing enough. It’s not every day your firstborn daughter gets engaged,” she squealed, pinching Aella’s cheek.

“Ma,” she fussed, gently swatting her hand away. “Quit. And if you can back away from the centerpiece for a second, I need to talk to you about something before Ilaria gets here.”

Hesitantly placing another vase on the table, Victoria wrinkled her nose. “Oh boy. What’s wrong?”

Aella quickly explained her dilemma.

Victoria listened quietly, nodding slowly when her daughter finished. “Hmm. I see.”

Wringing her hands, Aella continued. “And I genuinely don’t know what to do. I would love the opportunity to have Brax around during this life transition and try to fix our relationship. But based on our history, she probably won’t go for it. Not to mention, Ria would blow a gasket.”

Sighing wistfully, Victoria pulled out a chair and shook her head. “I wish I could say there was an easy answer, sweetheart. But you wanting a relationship with Braxton doesn’t guarantee she wants one with you.”

“Trust me, she’s made that very clear. It just sucks. I want the bond that Ria and I have with both my sisters. I’m getting engaged, and she won’t even be part of it.”

“Braxton has to move on her own terms. All you can do is respect her and love her as she works through it. If you want her at the engagement celebration, invite her. It’ll be up to her if she shows, but at least you gave her the opportunity.”

“Yeah, invite her and have the whole day ruined when Ilaria has a temper tantrum.”

“That child needs to sort out her feelings about Braxton in therapy. I’ve told her several times that what has transpired between your father and me is our issue, not hers. I’ve addressed and dealt with your father’s life…” She trailed off, furrowing her brow. “I’ve made changes as I see fit. I don’t need either of my children fighting unnecessary battles on my behalf.”

Leaning against the table, Aella folded her arms. “Honestly, I think she’s just scared. We both remember what it was like walking on eggshells in this house when everything was falling apart. She doesn’t want our family to fall apart again.”

“Trust me, as long as I have breath in my body, that won’t happen. Your father isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I.”

“I know that. And I’m sure Ria does too. But it’s like she thinks Brax’s presence will bring everything from the past back. I don’t know. What I do know is, I don’t want to be at odds with both my siblings.”

“Some things are out of your control, sweetheart. You can’t control anyone else’s thoughts or feelings. Just make the best decision for you, and let everything else fall into place. No matter what, your father and I always have your back.”

Aella released a relieved sigh as Victoria stood, returning her chair to its proper place. “Thank you, Ma. I really needed to hear that.”

“You’re welcome, my love. Now help me finish setting up so we can make sure this dinner is as perfect as I hope life with your future husband will be.”

Aella’s eyes were glued to Cassius as he moved around the room, his commanding presence demanding attention from anyone he came in contact with. She wasn’t sure how she’d missed his alluring pull earlier—probably because she’d been so busy fighting the idea of having anything to do with him.

But the more she observed, the more she realized just how much charm her soon-to-be husband possessed.