Page 98 of The Bonventi Secret
He crosses the distance between us in three long strides, catching me up in his arms. His lips crash into mine, and I taste his chewing gum and feel the proud rumble in his chest.
"Congratulations, Dr. Bonventi," he says against my mouth. "I never doubted you for a second."
"Oh god, you two," Megan says, mocking us, "Get a room already."
Enzo smiles, "And congratulations to you, too, Megan."
It was nice to see Enzo and Megan getting along. Enzo came with me to LA two weeks ago so Megan and I could practice defending our PhDs to each other, and she and Enzo got along well. She approves of him and was overly excited when I asked her to be in my wedding.
I'm still reeling from the excitement of passing my defense when I spot a familiar face in the crowd. My heart drops.
"Gabriel?" I call out, hardly believing my eyes.
My brother turns, a broad smile lighting up his face. He's standing next to a pregnant woman I don't recognize, her hand tucked into the crook of his arm.
They approach me. "Congratulations, Dr!" Gabriel says.
He catches me in a bear hug, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around like he used to when we were kids.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, breathless with joy and surprise. "I thought we were meeting in Sicily."
Gabriel sets me down, his hands on my shoulders. "And miss one of my sister's most important days? Not a chance."
I feel tears pricking at my eyes again. Despite our complicated history, despite everything that's happened, Gabriel is here. My big brother, who protected me fiercely when we were young, is standing here for me today.
"I can't believe you're here," I whisper, hugging him tightly again.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Liv," he says.
As we pull apart, I notice the woman standing beside him, watching our reunion with a soft smile and her hand resting on her belly. She's beautiful, with striking eyes and an air of quiet strength about her.
Gabriel clears his throat. "Livia, I'd like you to meet Anna. Anna, this is my sister, Livia."
Anna steps forward, her hand outstretched. "It's so wonderful to finally meet you, Livia. Gabriel's told me so much about you."
I take her hand, feeling a bit dazed. "It's great to meet you too, Anna. I didn't know Gabriel was seeing…I’m sorry are your pregnant?”
Anna laughs. "It's all a relatively new development. We were hoping to surprise you in Sicily, but Gabriel couldn't resist coming to see you graduate."
I turn to Gabriel, eyebrows raised. "We'll talk about this later."
Gabriel nods as Megan approaches.
"Excuse me, hi, Gabriel. Sorry," she says, and turns to me, "Holy shit. Who is that?"
I turn to follow her gaze and see Marco walking towards us, looking impeccable as always in his perfectly tailored suit. A smirk plays on his lips, always working the crowd.
"That's Marco," I say. "Enzo's brother."
Megan smooths her hair, her cheeks flushing. "He's coming this way. How do I look?"
Before I can answer, Marco reaches us. He nods to Enzo and Gabriel before turning his attention to me.
"Congratulations, Dr. Falcone," he says, his voice smooth. "Or should I say, soon-to-be Dr. Bonventi?"
I laugh, feeling a rush of pride at hearing my new title. "Thank you, Marco. I'm glad you could make it."
Marco's eyes flick to Megan, who's trying (and failing) to look nonchalant. "And who might this lovely lady be?"
