Page 116 of Wrapped in Silver

They laugh at that, and some of the catty tension melts away.

“Wow, nice house. Bigger than your sister’s. She doesn’t have to suffer that Jersey weather, though.” Mom wrinkles her nose.

Never mind, it’s back, and it’s going to stay the rest of the morning. I already miss Silver. Drama free when the Russians and police aren’t trying to kill us.

xxx

It’s only three o’clock and I’m exhausted. Blame it on first trimester issues, or my horrid west coast side of my family, but I’m in the back room of a restaurant that was nice enough to accommodate our intimate little ceremony-turned-dinner.

I’m swishing my puffy dress back and forth and holding my flowers, counting the minutes until I can change into my dinner dress. Will the girls be mad that it’s black?Yes. And I don’t give a shit.

“Little Bear!”Dad’s directed into the room, and I fall into his warm embrace. “You look stunning.”

“Mm. Thanks.” I disagree, because I feel fat from Mom’s earlier comment.

“What is it? Your mother? Don’t worry about her, she just doesn’t know where to put all that energy, so it comes shooting out her mouth.”

We both snort in each other’s arms.

“This is a hard day for me, Quinn.” I notice him quickly wipe a tear. “Much harder than walking Jana down the aisle.”

“Dad!”

“What? It’s true. She was easy… wanted to be married off since thirteen. You, though? I thought we’d be roommates forever.”

My heart explodes into little pieces, evoking a river of tears I didn’t feel coming. Thinking of us sharing late-night dinners together after work, watching stupid movies. Thinking of that chapter closing puts a hole in my chest.

“No! Your makeup. I didn’t mean—”

I put my hand up, telling him it’s okay while I catch my tears. “I’ll just miss you, Dad. That’s all.”

“What, you’re fifteen minutes away. I’ll be bothering you all the time.” His words comfort me. “That husband-to-be of yours, he’s really something.”

“I knew you two would hit it off even when he was pretending to be Russian.”

“Did you now? I guess you know your old man better than he knows himself.”

“Damn straight.” I smile.

“Well, I’ll have you know… I’m not just the father of the bride today.” He holds the lapels of his jacket proudly.

“Hm?”

“Arosso chosemeas his best man.”

My jaw drops, and my dad beams at the sight. “You’re kidding. But, Donny?”

“They talk once a year when things are calm. Me and him? We crack beers every Sunday.”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this, and that you’rehappyabout it. Especially after all the charades in that basement.”

“Little Bear, I was wrong about him. I’m a big enough man to admit it.”

“Sure are.” I pat his belly.

The planner comes into the room. “You guys are up next. Candles are lit, and everyone is ready for the bride.” She gives a dorky thumbs up.

“Oh, all twenty of us,” I say half-jokingly.

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