Page 12 of Single Malt Drama

While his plan was flawed, there was a certain logic to it. However, I doubted he fully understood the reason my father had demanded I marry Enzo. Even if Marco understood mob politics, too much could go wrong if we eloped. “It’s next to impossible to prove a marriage wasn’t consummated. Besides, playing platonic house, as you call it, could ruin our friendship.”

“Nothing would do that, Nico. Nothing.”

I wanted to believe him, but I had my doubts. The second I started acting like a girlfriend—or worse, a wife—he’d regret asking me to marry him. I couldn’t do that to either of us.

“Marco, I’m honored that you would do this for me, but I want to prove to myself and everyone else I can stand on my own.” I reached for his hand, but stopped when his phone rang.

Holding the cell between his ear and shoulder, Marco walked to the bar. “Gabe, how nice of you to call.”

I couldn’t make out the words, but I could hear a man’s voice shouting across the line. This is it. His family knows what we’ve done. I’ll be sent back.

He filled two glasses with red wine. “Dante and I were going nucking futs in the house. We went fishing. We’ll be back late.”

More shouting, but this time, Gabe said my name.

“Nico’s missing?” Marco glanced at me. “I haven’t seen her…”

Hugging my knees to my chest, I rested my forehead on my arms and prayed.

“Gabe, calm down. This is Nico we’re talking about. She’s probably booked herself into a five-star resort and is getting a massage in a swanky spa while everyone else freaks out.”

Is this what they think of me?I squeezed my eyes closed to keep from crying. I’d acted like a spoiled brat over the previous few weeks, but it was part of my plan. I’d thought if I could make Enzo miserable, he would refuse to marry me. It’d worked to a point. He wanted nothing to do with me, but I’d all but ruined my reputation in the process. It was all for nothing. Our parents were more determined than ever to tie me to Enzo.

I could go along with Marco’s plan. Not even my father could put aside a marriage ordained by the Catholic Church.

What am I thinking? Marco would be miserable after a week, or worse, having sex with other women while pretending to be married to me.

“Ciao.” He disconnected the call and rested his hand on my arm. “You know I didn’t mean any of that.”

Do I?Without raising my head, I said, “Maybe not, but your family believes I’m a lunatic.”

“Actually, you’re wrong. Gabe knows you were putting on a show to push Enzo away.”

“Then why did you say those things?”

“To convince him I didn’t know where you were.” Marco lifted my chin and stared into my eyes. “Marry me, Nic. We’ve known each other our entire lives. I’d never hurt you.”

Something in the way he asked the question touched me. He seemed so earnest, as if he really wanted to share his life with me. I could think of far worse things than waking up next to my sexy friend for the rest of my days, but this wasn’t real. Marco was being Marco. He was only trying to save me.

“I can’t.”

He nodded once, went back to the bar, and returned with the wine. “Then have a drink with me while we look over the best routes from Canton to New Orleans.”

“I’m sorry.” I wanted to explain, to tell him the real reason my father, and his mother, wanted the union. Not to mention I wasn’t wife material. I’d never once made a meal or washed my own clothes or been with a man.

“Hey.” He set the glasses aside. “You have nothing to apologize for. I meant what I said. Nothing is going to ruin our friendship. Not even you shooting down my awesomely romantic proposal.”

I laughed through the pain in my chest. “If you think that was romantic, I understand why you never have a second date with a woman.”

“I never have a second date because I haven’t found anyone I liked enough to bother.” Marco gave me a sad smile. “We should head upstairs, so Dante can get some sleep.”

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