Page 169 of His Juliet

“How was your trip?” I asked.

“Oh, it all went very smoothly,” Allegra said.

“Romeo got us first-class tickets, so we were very spoiled,” Francesca added.

“That’s good.” I fidgeted with my robe, unsure of what else to say. “I’m sorry we haven’t spoken before now.”

“We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other in the future,” Allegra said. “If that’s what you want.”

Francesca put her arm around Allegra’s shoulder. There was something vulnerable in this woman that I recognized.

“I would love that,” I said. “I don’t really have family, so…” I cleared my throat as I trailed off awkwardly.

“I always wanted a daughter,” Allegra said, voice tight. She pulled out a small box from her purse. “I brought this for you.”

A pair of dainty gold earrings that looked like mini sunbursts sat within the black velvet box.

“They’re beautiful,” I breathed.

“You don’t have to wear them today, of course, but I wanted you to have them. They belonged to my mother.”

Why was everything making me cry today? I blinked away the tears, touched beyond measure that she wanted me to have a family heirloom. I never thought I’d have that.

“I love them, and I’d be honored to wear them today. They match my ring. But are you sure you want me to have them?”

“Yes, of course.”

I turned to the mirror in the living room, and as I put them on, the door opened again. This time, Arturo stepped inside, wearing a dapper green suit and matching bow tie. I broke out into a huge smile. It had been too long since I’d seen the bookstore owner and I’d missed him.

“Juliet. You look beautiful.” He pulled me into a tight hug and lowered his voice. “Are you sure you want to do this? I brought my car in case you want to make a break for it.”

Arturo had grown up in the Mafia—he knew exactly how much he was risking with his offer, but I had no doubt he was genuine.

My lips twitched. “Yes, I’m very sure.”

He looked slightly disgruntled, and I nudged his arm.

“Cheer up. It’s going to be great. Thank you for agreeing to marry us.”

When I’d told Arturo I was getting married, he’d given me an earful for hiding mybeaufrom him—his words. When he found out who my fiancé was? He had launched into an even longer lecture about the dangers of Mafia men and how could I have been so stupid and Romeo De Luca was a known playboy who couldn’t be trusted.

The next day, he called me saying he’d applied for a marriage officiant license in case I wanted him to officiate.

Of course, I’d said yes.

“This is Mrs. De Luca, my almost-mother-in-law,” I told Arturo.

“Oh no, Juliet. Please call me Allegra,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you.” Arturo kissed her cheeks and did the same to Francesca.

“I’ve worked at Arturo’s bookstore for a couple of years. That’s actually where I met Romeo.”

My heart ached thinking about the bookstore. Even though I was making progress in therapy, I didn’t feel ready to go back to work. Part of me worried I would never be ready. Arturo had been completely understanding, and I’d helped him hire a new manager, but it still hurt. Sienna and Sofiya kept encouraging me to start a book account on social media so I could share what I was reading, and I was considering it.

“Juliet is practically my granddaughter,” Arturo said firmly.

Don’t cry. You can’t ruin your makeup.

Sienna ushered us all over to a large table that had been set up for a late lunch. Romeo kept texting me, saying time was moving too slowly and why had we decided on a sunset ceremony?

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