Page 145 of Crazed

"Not true. I do, too," Cara claims.

I jerk my head toward her. "But you don't act like it."

"What did I do?" She arches her eyebrows.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to vocalize it, but I can't.

Bridget pats the chair. "Katiya, you're part of the family now. Massimo will straighten Arianna out. Everything will be fine between you both. You'll see. Now sit down and eat."

My stomach growls again, and Cara snorts. She taps my fork on the plate. "Eat."

I cave, sit down, and take a sip of hot coffee. The acidic drink hits my tongue, and I wince.

"You didn't tell us what you wanted in it," Cara states, her lips twitching.

"Oh." I reach for the creamer boat and sugar jar. It's too far.

Bridget pushes it toward me.

I fix my coffee how I like it then take a sip.

"Good now?" Cara asks.

"Yes. Thank you."

Bridget orders again, "Eat."

I take a bite. Cara and Bridget watch me, but once I take the first mouthful, I no longer care. I shovel the food in as fast as I can, trying to fill the emptiness in my gut. Then I take a break from the food, washing it down with more coffee.

Humor fills Bridget's expression. "When did you eat last?"

I shrug. "On the plane. Not sure what time."

"Well, you're just in time to discuss the bachelorette party," Cara chirps.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Bachelorette party?"

"Yep. Bridget and Dante are getting married in a month."

"Oh! Right. Sorry. My mind is all over the place," I admit, then turn to Bridget. "Congratulations."

She beams. "Thank you. I hear congrats are in order for you, too, Mrs. Massimo Marino."

My heart swells with pride. The few times I've been called Mrs. Massimo Marino, it's done the same. I don't know if I'll ever get used to it or stop feeling so happy about the title.

"Yes! Congratulations. I heard your wedding was a bit like mine," Cara states.

"Oh? How?" I ask.

She scoffs. "Oh, you know. Last minute. Private. Unannounced, shall we say?"

"You didn't have a big wedding?" I question, surprised. Everything I've heard about Dante and Bridget's upcoming wedding makes me believe there are hundreds of guests invited.

"Nope. Don't think Angelo will ever forgive Gianni or Massimo," she admits.

"How did—"

"Ladies, have you seen my wife?" a familiar voice says, and I turn.

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