Page 35 of Crimson Vows

“What are you doing?” she asks me with a puzzled expression.

“Other women are off-limits. Really?” I growl.

She shrugs and avoids direct eye contact with me.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve always struggled with sharing when it comes to romantic relationships,” Gia admits, her voice soft but resolute. “It’s just how I am.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Do you even hear yourself?”

“What do you want me to say? You’re the one who came to me with the proposal of a relationship and then marriage. I didn’t ask for this. If it’s too much for you, I understand.”

“You understand?” I repeat, shocked by the casual way she is willing to release me. Perhaps I had been wrong about the connection I thought I felt between us the night before. I sigh heavily, running a hand through my hair as I try to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions raging inside me.

Gia reaches out tentatively, her fingers grazing my arm in a gesture that feels both comforting and heartbreaking. “I really do care about you,” she whispers softly, her eyes pleading with me to understand. “I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I can tell there is something different about you. I actually believe you when you say you love me, but I made a promise I would never compromise who I am for anyone else ever again.”

I shake my head, feeling a surge of frustration and vulnerability. “Being engaged means commitment, Gia. How can I commit to someone who expects it from me but doesn’t seem willing to commit back?”

Her gaze falters under my intense scrutiny. “So you want out?”

“Dammit, Gia!” I don’t get it, but as much as it hurts, I want her.

“I never lied to you,” she whispers. She’s right. I was the one lying, the one who had told her I could handle the idea of her being with other men.

“Okay,” I reply, trying to soften my clenched jaw.

“Okay what?” she asks, peering up at me.

Taking a deep breath, I reach for her hand, drawing her closer to me. “I don’t want out. I want you,” I confess. “And I’m going to show you how much you mean to me.”

“What does that mean?”

“What Vincent did to you... I’m going to figure out a way to make him answer for it,” I reply, hoping she can see how painful it is for me to choose her over the only family I have ever known.

“Really?” She gasps in disbelief.

I nod. “Give me a little time, and I’ll figure out how to make this all right.”

She meets my gaze, searching for sincerity.

Gia exhales slowly, her hand trembling in mine. “I want to believe you.”

I pull her in even closer, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. “You are going to be my wife. When I make a promise to you, it’s a vow.”

Gia lifts onto her tiptoes and presses her lips against mine. I wrap my arms around her, and time seems to stand still around us for a heartbeat.

“Come on, you lovebirds.” We both jump when Dante’s voice interrupts the tender moment. “The food is getting cold.”

We pull apart, our cheeks flushed, and share a sheepish smile before returning to join Nico and Dante at the table. The night air carries the scent of the Italian feast we prepared together.

As we settle around the table, passing plates and pouring wine, our interactions have a newfound ease. The tension between Gia and me has lifted, and while I’m not okay with the double standard Gia seems to have for dating outside of our relationship, I am committed to figuring this out.

Nico raises his glass. “To new beginnings and friendships,” he declares, and we all clink our glasses together, the sound echoing through the room.

Dante flashes a mischievous grin. “And to kitchen confessionals. The best damn reality show never made.” That earns a round of laughter from all of us.

“Hey, Nico, sorry if I crowded in on your night with Gia,” I offer, trying my best to show Gia I’m putting in an effort.

“Man, don’t worry about it. We’re all friends, no big deal.”

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