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I don't realize that I'm crying until Sergio brushes a thumb across my cheek.
"Why are you crying?"
I don't know how to tell him. I swallow. Starla reaches over and gives my hand a little squeeze. She knows.
"Sometimes you suddenly realize what you’ve been missing is what other people take for granted.”
“Ahh.” Sergio nods. He understands.
Starla goes on and on about centerpieces, and flowers, the dress that she wants to wear, and the food that she is going to help Nonna prepare. I only half listen, because none of these details truly matter to me. All that matters is that in the end, I will declare my devotion to Sergio in front of everyone, and he will declare his devotion to me.
Starla sighs, leans back, and brushes her hands across her arms.
"Do you want to go back to the house?" I ask her.
She nods and tries to stand, but she is still very frail and weak. She leaned on my arm just to walk up here, insisting that she get out to see the ocean. The view from here is stunning. Craggy rocks, blue-green, foam-dusted waves, an endless sky that stretches beyond the imagination.
Sergio stands and stretches. "I'll help you back."
Surprising no one, he bends and lifts her in his arms. I'm reminded of the way he rescued her, how he cradled her in his arms like a brisk puff of wind would shatter her. She lets him carry her.
"Who knew I would get a big brother," she says.
I stareat the two of them, the two people I love most in the entire world, wondering if the human heart can burst when it's so full.
When we make it back to The Castle, Timeo’s at the pavilion, the paved area that flanks the building and wraps around it. I've seen pictures of weddings that took place here, because Tosca insisted on showing me. This, this is where we're going to get married.
Mario stands next to Timeo, and I can tell by the look on Mario's face that he's not here to talk about wedding centerpieces and our vows. He looks uncharacteristically serious.
Sergio and Mario have a silent exchange before Sergio turns to me.
“You should go inside."
I shake my head and swallow. “I’m not so sure about that,” I say firmly but gently.
Sergio still holds Starla despite Timeo’s narrow-eyed look. Maybe because of it.
Oh boy. That is going to be a problem. A problem for another day.
Right now I need to make sure that these guys understand if what Mario has to say has anything to do with me and Starla, I'm not going anywhere. If there's anything they need to tell Sergio, they can tell me.
My voice is calm but firm when I tell him, "If what you need to tell him has anything to do with me and Starla, we are staying right here, thank you."
Mario’s slight lift of the brows and widened eyes register mild surprise, but Sergio beams. "Does what you have to tell me have anything to do with them?"
I don’t realize Romeo’s there until he clears his throat. He sits in a chair on the side of the pavilion, managing to look regal and competent. "It has everything to do with them."
I nod. “Then I’ll stay.”
Sergio holds Romeo’s gaze. “She will.”
I squeeze Sergio’s arm.
I know from my time around the Montavios and the Rossis that they take traditional roles very seriously. Old school, definitely, so the fact that Sergio is taking a stand right now for me means everything.
If Sergio notices Timeo’s look, he doesn't acknowledge it. He simply arranges Starla in a chair and pulls out one for me. Quietly, in the background, Ricco takes out a lighter and walks up to a fire pit. I watch him arrange wood chips, kindling, and logs until they flare to life. Warmth surrounds us on a night that’s quickly growing colder.
I sit with Sergio and Starla underneath the stars, prepared to take anything they tell me.
