Page 124 of Luca

“Lick it?”

“Scar. Gross.” Maddy makes a gagging noise.

“No. I meditate in there. As if this place isn’t tranquil enough. It’ll be perfect for when the summer sun is too much, and guests want a different type of salty air than the ocean breeze variety.”

“Well, enjoy it.” I kiss her cheek. “We’ll meet you down at the main pool after you’re all done.”

It’s almost time. And I’m as nervous as a jailhouse rat. Not the best analogy for such a romantic occasion, but who knew I’d be so uneasy? I don’t have any doubt she’ll say yes.

Do I?

Of course, not. I’ve never been so confident in my life. We’ve been blessed in more ways than I can count. We beat the odds and are living a life far better than I ever could’ve imagined.

I look over at the tables set up around the pool before my eyes flick up to the restaurant’s poolside covered dining area. Juliette’s mother blows me a kiss from where she’s seated. I know she’s trying to encourage me. Moments later, her bridge club compadres all wave and smile. I can’t help but chuckle. It’s amazing how quickly they were able to organize this. As soon as Giovanni said he’d secured an alias for her, she and her friends had booked their flights.

I knew the moment I asked her about a visit, Cecilia wouldn’t pass up the opportunity. She and her cronies all brought brightly colored finned costumes and announced they were holding a Mermaid parade. As if this was the real reason for the trip, not celebrating with her daughter or spending time with her grandchildren. While it will be the first annual Mermaid paradefestival held at the resort, Broadie and Poppy welcome making it a yearly event.

Hopefully, Juliette won’t be completely distracted once she sees everyone here and misses the real star of the show.

Me.

And I’ve been planning this moment almost since the day I met her.

Pacing up and down beside the pool, I pull out the ring one last time. It’s perfect as it shimmers in the summer sun.

“You better put that away or the rays bouncing off of it will give you away before you can ask her.” My cousin laughs.

“Jesus, G. I’m sweating like a madman. And it’s not the fucking clothes or the weather.” I’m wearing the button-down white shirt I know Juliette loves, along with khaki linen pants Broadie swore would make the perfect outfit for such an occasion. “In case I forget to tell you later, thank you. I can’t believe the hoops you jumped through to get Juliette’s mother here.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” He laughs. But before I can question him further, he steps forward, placing a muscular, inked hand on my shoulder. “This is a big deal, Cugino. I’m proud of you.” As my eyes connect with his, I know he understands. We’ve come so far.

Fuck. Don’t let me get all emotional now.

“Ah, but it looks like you don’t need to sweat it much longer.” He lifts his chin in the direction where I know Juliette’s mother is sitting. I peer over my shoulder in time to see Maddy and Tarzan waving feverishly at me, all dressed up in the outfits we picked out while their mother was at the salt cave. They’re frantically pointing toward the other end of the pool while the little turtle bounces in his grandmother’s lap. I swear Cecilia is radiating with excitement.

“You’ve got this. I’ll see you in a bit.” He pats me on the back and walks off.

Taking a deep breath, I turn and face my girl. I watch as she walks toward me with Poppy, looking so relaxed and happy. She’s wearing a beautiful, light blue dress that dances in the breeze as it hangs from the thin straps resting on her sun-kissed shoulders. Juliette’s brown hair is a little lighter from the summer’s rays. When she spots me, I hold her gaze, reveling in those blue-gray eyes and the deep dimples in her cheeks. As she comes closer, my mind keeps chanting one thing.

She’s mine.

“Hi.” She smiles up at me before standing on her tiptoes to give me a chaste kiss. “What’re you up to?”

Before I can answer her, her gaze drops down to the pool where Poppy had the staff placed a heart made of floating rose petals just moments ago. As her hands fly to her mouth, I drop to one knee. Hell, I’m liable to fall in I’m shaking so hard.

“Cucciolotta, our life could’ve taken a much different turn. But you put your trust in me. In us. And I’m beyond grateful. I pledge to protect and care for you and our kids for eternity.” I snap open the ring box and look up to find her crying. But these are happy tears.

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She bends down to fling her arms around me, and everything feels right with the world until out of the blue, we’re struck by something and go flying into the pool.

Once I get my head above water, I reach for my girl in a panic, until I realize Maddy and Tarzan are floating in here with us. Wrapping my arms around them, I pull the three of them in for a big hug. “You couldn’t wait just two more minutes?” I laugh, mockingly.

“We were too excited,” Maddy squeals. And I think it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard.

“Tarzan. Want to play a game?”

“Right now?” Juliette belts out laughing. “We can’t have one romantic moment.”

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