Page 30 of A Touch of Fate

I took a few gulps from my wine as well. The effects of the spirit in my flask had already faded, and I hadn’t found time to get it out again yet. “That busty redhead makes me dream about a tit job,” Renato muttered, his eyes on the curvy girl talking to Emma, Anna, and Sofia.

I sent him a look that saidshut up.

Danilo scowled. “That is Emma’s best friend Giorgia.”

“She promised?” Renato asked.

“Not that I’m aware of,” Danilo drawled.

I emptied my glass. “I don’t think telling her you want a tit fuck is going to make her swoon.”

“If you married her, Emma would have her best friend in Minneapolis. That would be a good thing,” Danilo said.

I shook my head. “Always the matchmaker.”

Danilo sent me a warning look. “This isn’t something we should discuss here.” He was worried Emma would find out about our deal. I wasn’t too keen on having the info spread either.

“What isn’t?” Emma asked suddenly. She was a couple of arm’s lengths away from us, and Giorgia was with her.

Emma glanced curiously between Danilo and me.

“Business,” Danilo said with a tight smile. He went over to Emma and squeezed her shoulder before he took off toward my sister Sofia, who looked less than enthused about his approach.

“I’d like to introduce my best friend Giorgia Farina.”

I dipped my head in greeting, trying not to stare at her low neckline. If Renato hadn’t spewed the nonsense about the tit fuck, that wouldn’t have been a problem. “Nice to meet you. You’re always welcome to visit Minneapolis. My family and I will make sure you’re safe.”

Giorgia smiled brightly, but the smile dulled when she noticed Renato’s less-than-proper leer. He was practically glued to her chest. I nudged his side. “Please meet my friend Renato.” He tore his gaze up to nod at Emma before he smiled his most charming smile at Giorgia. I hoped he didn’t think he could ruin my wedding by making advances on this girl.

“Pleasure,” he said in a way that made me want to kick his stupid ass.

Giorgia made a face as if she got a whiff of something nasty.

Emma blinked, then gave me an uncertain look. “Uh, nice to meet you, Renato.” She met Giorgia’s gaze, and something passed between them that I had no clue about.

“We should head back to Anna and Sofia,” Emma said and gave me a questioning look.

“So much for making a good first impression,” I muttered.

“Giorgia liked what she saw.”

“I’m talking about Emma. You’re my best friend. It would be nice if my wife didn’t hate you.”

Renato scoffed. “She’s your wife. She has to accept whoever you’re friends with, Samuel. You make the rules.”

“I need another drink.”

“That’s what I’m talking about. Come on. I have a bottle of bourbon in my jacket.”

After a couple of shots of bourbon, I felt much more relaxed. I knew I couldn’t get drunk at my wedding, but it took a lot of alcohol for me to show actual signs of intoxication.

I was glad for my ability to hold my liquor when Dante, Valentina, and my parents joined me after Renato and I had almost emptied the bottle. Renato quickly excused himself, as he definitely showed signs of having drunk too much.

“Where’s your lovely wife?” Valentina asked with a smile. Dante had a hand on her lower back and regarded her with obvious appreciation. My father had an arm around Mom’s waist. Despite their arranged marriages, both couples obviously loved each other, but I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that happened with most pairings. They were lucky. Considering fate’s way of screwing me over in the past, I doubted luck would be on my side with my marriage to Emma. I searched the room until I found Emma in conversation with Giorgia near the bar. She was drinking a glass of white wine. “She’s busy with her friend.”

“Maybe you should go over to her now,” Mom suggested.

“Ines,” Dad said in a low voice. “I’m sure Emma and Samuel can handle their marriage.”

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