Page 34 of Falling for my Family's Rival

After saying goodbye, we climb into our cars and head home. I wonder if we’ll keep my apartment or get somewhere completely new. I wonder if we’ll get a cat. Or a dog. Will we both keep working at our families’ restaurants? There are a lot of questions about the future, but I know that I am on the right path.

Twenty

MARISSA

“We’re sure this is a good idea?” I ask, as I drop down onto Luca’s sofa for the umpteenth time in five minutes.

“Yes, it is,” Luca reassures me. “We want Chiara and Angelo to know, and hopefully support us. This is as good a time as any.”

I don’t know how he can be so calm about everything. I’ve been a ball of nerves and excitement, ever since I said yes to his proposal. All of my friends know, but not telling my family has been harder than I expected it to be. When I’m at home or the restaurant, I have to wear my engagement ring on a chain around my neck, tucked under my shirt, so no one sees it.

“And they’re both coming?” I ask.

“Yes, they’re both coming,” Luca says. “Actually, they should be here any minute.”

I press my hands to the sides of my face. My cheeks feel warm, and part of me wants to throw up, but more than anything, I’m excited. Hopefully, my sister sees how happy I am, and she’ll give me her support. If not…well, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, but hopefully I won’t have to.

There is a knock at the door, and Luca jumps up to answer it. Chiara and Angelo are standing in the hallway outside Luca’s apartment, looking at each other somewhat warily. Luca gestures for them both to come inside. Once in, Chiara makes a beeline for me. She gives me a quick hug and then sits down on the recliner. Angelo lopes in slowly and drops down on the bean bag next to the TV.

“Thank you both for coming,” I say. “We have something that we want to share with you.”

Luca sits down on the couch next to me, and takes my hand in his. “We do,” he agrees.

“This had better be good,” Chiara says. “It was super hard to get away from the restaurant today. And now I’m here with him,” she glares as Angelo then rolls her eyes and sighs.

“Hey, what did I do?” Angelo protests.

Chiara gives him a look that would make even the bravest among us shrivel up. “Like I need to get back into all of that?” she says.

“Okay, sure, but I said I was sorry for that. And I haven’t done anything to you today,” Angelo says.

Rolling her eyes, Chiara says, “So, what is it? Let’s get on with things.”

My stomach tightens into a knot. My sister can be abrasive at times, but I’m not sure she means it. This is just how she handles stress. Her attitude will not make it harder for me to share my good news. I’m too excited to let her burst my bubble. Luca squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back.

“Chill out,” Angelo says. “Let them tell us at their own pace.”

“Don’t tell me to chill out,” Chiara snaps.

“Guys, seriously, please, can you get along for five minutes? For my sake?” I plead.

“Fine,” Chiara grumbles.

“Sure,” Angelo says.

“Right, so our news,” Luca begins.

“Is that we’re engaged!” I finish, holding up my left hand to show off the engagement ring.

“What?!” Chiara and Angelo say in unison.

“We’re engaged,” Luca says. “And we’re going to elope.”

There is a long, tense silence that follows. I’m not sure what I thought would happen, but this isn’t it. I thought Chiara might yell at me, tell me that I’m being stupid or impulsive, but - silence? This, I did not expect.

Finally, Chiara lets out a long breath. “Okay,” she says. I can tell that she’s trying to stay calm. “Okay. You are engaged. Marissa, sweetie, you know how much I love you, but… engaged? To our rival’s son?”

“You sound like Dad,” I say. “Luca isn’t my rival. I love him, and I want to marry him.”

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