Page 2 of Single Malt Drama

“What can I say? None of you know her like I do.” I’d worshipped the ground Nicolina Lazio’s red-soled, Christian Louboutins walked on since I stopped believing girls had cooties.

What man in his right mind wouldn’t? Nico was a model, a wannabe fashion designer, and had a whip-sharp sense of humor. Unfortunately for me, she’d friend-zoned me at the age of nine. Back then, she preferred older men, namely my brothers. By the time she came of age, my mother and Nico’s father had decided she was best suited for Enzo.

I absolutely disagreed, but I hadn’t gotten a vote—until now.

Stretching out on the lounge chair, I placed my hands behind my head. “Nico could marry another Marchionni.”

He winked, but the tension in his jaw ruined the effect. “You’d throw our baby brother under the bus? Dante’s still in grad school, and I’m not sure he’s had his first kiss, let alone dated.”

Joking or not, Gabe wasn’t completely wrong about Dante. While I’d spent more time playing the field than Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Hank Aaron combined, our baby brother had warmed the bench…mostly.

I met Gabe’s gaze and used my professional attorney voice. “One of us has to marry the supermodel. I’m willing to take one for the team.”

He folded his arms and gave me a look that reminded me way too much of our father. “No one in this family is marrying Nicolina Lazio. Capisci?”

“Capisco.” I understood he wanted to protect us, but that didn’t mean I agreed with him. Someone had to do what was best for the family, and it looked like that someone would be me.

My phone dinged with an incoming text.

I checked the screen and shot upright. Speaking of the devil in Prada.

Gabe arched a brow. “Is that panic on your face because of business or pleasure?”

“It’s personal.” I stood and waved the phone. “I need to make a call. Are we done here?”

“As long as you stay the hell away from Nico, we’re good.”

No can do, bro. “Sure, whatever. I offered a solution. You declined. What do I care?”

He gave me a curious expression and walked into the house.

Shoving my feet in my shoes, I hit redial.

Nico answered on the first ring. “Marco, thank God. Are you alone?”

“I’m working on it.” I grabbed my towel and headed down the steep path to the beach. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure what changed, but my father just announced mine and Enzo’s wedding date.” She sounded tired and stuffy as if she’d been crying. “It’s in five days.”

Keeping my voice low, I said, “Let’s just say my parents got an eyeful of how much Enzo likes Shanna Isaac this morning.”

“Oh.” She went quiet.

What the hell? Is she upset he’s with another woman? Does she have feelings for him after all?

“This only proves my point.” Nico sighed. “Enzo and I can’t go through with this wedding. We will both end up miserable and bitter.”

I wanted to run an idea past her, but it didn’t seem like the right time. Then again, was it ever a good idea to propose over the phone? “I know, Nic, I know. But what are you going to do?”

“I went with my father to speak to our priest this morning.”

My brain stopped working, so much so, I tripped over a rock and nearly face-planted. “You spoke to the man who’s going to marry you to my brother?”

“Yes.” She lowered her voice. “But he cannot perform the ceremony if there is no bride.”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I said, “I’m not following you.”

“I pretended to go along with it. When my father dismissed me, I made up an excuse I needed to see the baker. Instead, I went to visit Maria and Alessio.”

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