Page 41 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

Joel chuckled. “Taking the family to the best Italian restaurant in New York City. Hey, Julianne.” He smiled gently.

“Where’s Faith?” I had met his wife briefly, first at Gio’s family’s funeral and then at my own parents’ service the next day. We’d held them back-to-back because so many of the same people were expected. Joel and his new wife Faith had attended both events to pay their respects. He’d been a long-time customer of our company, buying up land and properties that would be ideal for his luxury resorts.

“She’s…” He looked behind him as the stunning brunette walked up holding hands with a redheaded child I knew had to be Penny. “Right here.” He grinned. “Darling, look who I ran into.”

Faith smiled as she took in both Gio and me. “Oh my goodness, hi!” she gushed then came over and plowed into me, hugging me as though we’d been friends for years. We weren’t, but Faith was just warm and affectionate like that. Gio patted her shoulder as though she might have a cold when she steamroll-hugged him.

“I hear congratulations are in order.” Joel cocked a brow. “No wedding invite though.”

Giovanni chuckled and then wrapped his arm around my shoulder, tucking me to his side. “She couldn’t wait to lock me down. We married in a quickie Vegas wedding.”

“Technically we did the same, so I can’t chastise you too hard there, though I distinctly remember inviting you both.”

Gio laughed. “With only twelve hours notice, I might add. I was in London at the time securing a deal.”

“I was manning the fort,” I stated honestly.

“Then we should celebrate now…unless you have romantic plans?” Faith noted. “Because we have the girls.”

“Are you kidding? We’d love to have dinner with you and the girls. We’re celebrating a legal win actually.” I waved at Penny. The little girl held Faith’s hand and swished her pretty dress from side to side. And the little girl Joel was carrying was wearing the same dress.

“I love a good legal battle. I expect the details over dinner,” Joel said nonchalantly, then addressed the hostess. “We’re actually going to need a table for six. I believe the proprietor was holding the back for my private party.”

“Absolutely, Mr. Castellanos. We’ll make the adjustment immediately. It will be a few more minutes,” the hostess said and then dashed through the throngs of restaurant patrons to the hidden back deck area.

“You scored the entire back deck?” I asked.

“I like to dine with my family in peace,” Joel said coolly.

“Birds of a feather, my friend.” Giovanni chuckled.

While we waited, Faith introduced me to her daughter Eden, a shy little thing who clung to Joel. He doted on her as if she was his own, and my heart practically melted when Penny called FaithMommy. I knew how heartbroken Joel had been when he lost his Alexandra, leaving him a single dad. Now, several years later, as he maneuvered his family around, he seemed happier than ever.

Once we were all seated, a couple bottles of wine ordered, appetizers on the way, I held up my glass.

“To new and old friends. May we be this happy for years to come,” I said.

“Salud.” Both Giovanni and Joel said.

“Cheers.”

I clinked my glass with Faith’s as she blurted, “Heck yeah!”

“Okay, so tell us about this lawsuit you won,” Faith wiggled in her chair and sipped her wine, obviously eager for some juicy gossip.

I told them all about the will, the forgery, and the drama I was having with my brother.

“Brenden always seemed like a nice fellow,” Joel murmured. “Shame.” He tsked and shook his head. “And about what I read in the celebrity rags…”

“It wasn’t good. All of it true,” Gio admitted.

Faith, who happened to be sitting across from Giovanni suddenly reached out and covered Gio’s hand with her own. “I’m a survivor too.”

Arrow, right to the heart. Someone had harmed this angel sitting with us.

“I’m very sorry to hear that,” Gio rumbled, dipping his head. I covered his thigh with my hand and rubbed his leg back and forth in case this conversation made him feel uncomfortable. So far, he seemed to be handling it well.

“It’s okay. I mean,I’m okay. With a lot of love from these guys.” She gestured to Joel and the girls. “And my father, I’ve been able to get past it. You never forget, but it doesn’t haunt you the way it does early on. Are you talking to someone?” she asked boldly.

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