Page 78 of The Princess, the Prick & the Priest (Confessions 4)

Needing that laugh more than he realized, Priest said, “As long as it’s not Starship, I’ll consider it a win.”

“I think you and Julien have lost your minds, but…personally, I can’t wait.” Logan looked over his shoulder to Tate and Julien, now gesturing he and Priest to join them. “Looks like I won’t have to either. I better go take my seat. I believe the show’s about to start.”

Priest shook his head as he said his goodbyes to Logan, and then made his way to Julien. Priest took his hand, and they headed toward the front, where Felicity was waiting for them.

“Is everything okay?” Julien asked.

Priest nodded and said, “Everything is perfect. Let’s get this started. I’m ready to see our fiancé.”

“It’s time,” Felicity said, and as the soft strains of a violin began, Julien smiled, and the two of them walked past the front row of chairs, where Robbie’s mother and nonna sat.

Priest and Julien stopped to kiss their cheeks, and when the women blushed and shooed them along, Priest thought it absolutely charming. It was wonderful to see a little bit of Robbie in them, as he and Julien walked to the arbor, and then turned to face the French doors of the deck, where Robbie and his father had just stepped into view.

The sound of a door opening caught everyone’s attention, and when they turned in their chairs, a collective gasp filled the silence.

Robbie looked simply stunning as he stopped on the deck with his father, and the sunlight caught in the caramel highlights of his hair. He’d styled it in a very demure part to the left, which allowed his gorgeous face to be the main attraction of the day—and what a face it was.

With his delicate nose, those high cheekbones, and his sweet, shining lips curving into a shy smile, Robbie had rendered the two men waiting on him mute as they continued to take in every single detail.

Robbie had paired his elegant black tuxedo with a cream shirt and a lilac vest, cravat, and handkerchief, and as his father led him across the deck to the stairs, all Priest and Julien could do was watch in awe.

“Mon Dieu, il est magnifique,” Julien whispered as Antonio led his son down the stairs to the head of the aisle, and Priest thought, “My God” is right, because surely only God could’ve created someone as incredible as Robert Antonio Bianchi.

ROBBIE STOOD AT the window of the front living room, trying to think of anything other than the sudden attack of nerves that had hit him around ten minutes ago. But ever since Felicity had told him that Julien and Priest were outside waiting, Robbie’s palms had begun to sweat.

All morning he’d been kept away from them, been told he had to stay on the opposite side of the house and not to look out any of the windows, and while he’d usually sneak a peek, this time he’d actually done as he was told, wanting the first time he saw them to be a surprise.

Now it was here. The moment. It was about to happen as soon as—

“Robbie?”

—his father came and got him.

“Yeah, Pa? I’m over here,” Robbie said as his father shut the door and walked into the living room.

When Robbie turned around, his father stopped and said, “Wow.”

Robbie looked down at his tuxedo, and then back to his father. “Yeah?”

“Oh yes,” Pa said as he stopped in front of Robbie and straightened his cravat. “You’re going to make those two men cry when they see you. Sei bellissimo.” Robbie blushed as his father kissed his cheek. “Are you ready?”

“I think so,” Robbie said, and then took in a deep breath and let it out.

His father dropped his hands away, held his arm up, and said, “Okay?”

Robbie nodded and took the offered arm. “Okay.”

As they walked toward the door, Robbie concentrated on how to breathe and let his father lead him through the house toward the back deck. As they got closer to the French doors, Robbie could see all his family and friends seated in the chairs facing the lake, and as he passed by Val, who stood off to the side at the sound system, she did a silent squeal and mouthed, You look gorgeous.

Robbie ordered himself not to cry—for God’s sake, he wasn’t even outside yet—but when the door was pulled open and everyone turned around to look at him, Robbie thought he just might faint. As if sensing how he was feeling, his father paused for a moment, and Robbie dug his fingers into Pa’s sleeve as he got his bearings.

He scanned the familiar faces staring up at him. From Penny, to Elliot, to Logan and Tate, Robbie’s eyes roved over cousins and friends, to his ma and nonna, and then, finally, he found the two men standing at the end of the aisle waiting for him—and Robbie tightened his grip on his father’s arm.

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