Page 107 of Royally Matched

I bite down on my lip. “It’s not Enzo.”

Realization dawns on Alex’s face. “Oh, Sofe.”

“I know. You don’t have to tell me. I’ve messed everything up royally.”

“Well, you are a princess,” he says with a smile. “Who is it? Can I ask?”

My lip trembles. “Marco Revera.”

“Marco Revera? I don’t know—” His eyes widen. “Enzo’s brother?”

I nod.

“You sure can pick ’em.”

I tell him about how we’ve been spending time together, first as Marco’s role as Enzo’s assistant, and then on our quest, our trip to Monteluce, our wonderful kiss under the lanterns. I then tell him what Enzo just shared with me, how we’ve both fallen in love—just not with each other.

He leans back on his heels, taking it all in.

“But I’ve wasted so much of your time. This is your wedding day. You should be with your new wife, celebrating with all the people in that room.” I gesture behind me.

“I’ll get to them, but I want to say something first. I know you never approved of the way I lived my life before I met Maddie.”

“Can you blame me? You were a total womanizer.”

“I was, but meeting Maddie changed my life in the very best of ways. She’s what I was looking for all along, I just didn’t know it.”

I nod, struggling to keep my emotions from welling up and spilling out.

“Love is a rare and precious thing. I know it’s a cliché, but Sofe, it’s a cliché because it’s true. When you finallymeet the one who lights up your world you hold on to that person and you don’t let them go.”

“But… he’ll break my heart,” I blurt in a rush.

“How do you know that? The truth of the matter is none of us know where a relationship will go, but if you love someone, really, really love them, you take that leap of faith. You trust in your love for them. Who knows? You may end up marrying the guy.”

I bark out a laugh. Mixed with tears it sounds more like a gurgle than anything. It makes Alex smile.

“I want the best for you, Sofe, and if Marco is the best, don’t let your fear stand in your way. Take that leap.”

Maddie appears in the doorway once more, clearly waiting for a signal from her new husband. Alex waves her over.

“Now, my dear sister, I need to take my beautiful bride through to greet our guests.” He reaches for Maddie’s hand. “You’ll be okay. You’ll make the right decision. You always do. Well, other than thinking you can choose a man based on how many boxes he checks in a spreadsheet.” He flashes me his smile and Maddie gives my arm a squeeze.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m super happy you’re my new sister,” she tells me with a kiss to my cheek. “See you back in there?”

“Of course. I’ll just take a moment,” I reply.

The happy couple make their way down the hall and into the reception room, where they’re announced to applause and cheers from the eight hundred or more guests.

I take in a deep breath and scrunch my eyes closed, Alex’s words buzzing around my head.

Could I take the leap of faith with Marco?

Could I trust him to take good care of my heart?

With my mind whirring, I open my eyes to look in my reflection. Staring back at me, more handsome than I’ve ever seen him in my life, is the man I love.

Marco.

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