Page 29 of Beautiful Desire

“I love you, G,” I mumble into her hair.

“I love you too, bitch,” she says back, a little too loudly.

We both giggle and pull away, gathering ourselves.

“Oh, Gia, you look absolutely stunning. My brother is going todieonce he sees you,” Sofia says as she walks into the bridal suite.

Gia is dressed in a stunning form-fitting ivory lace dress, with scooped sleeves sitting just off her shoulders. A pair of sparkling Jimmy Choos sits in front of the mirror, as she’s refusing to put them on until the very last minute so that one, her feet don’t hurt too soon, and two, she doesn’t somehow wreck them before walking down the aisle.

“Thanks. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous, seeing as we’re already married, but now that it’s happening…it feels so surreal.”

Tears well in her eyes again, and I quickly lift my hands and fan her face, trying to prevent any tears from falling and ruining her makeup.

“God, I’m a mess,” she laughs through her emotions.

“You’re not a mess. You’re happy, and you should be. Look at all the shit you’ve been through. You deserve this happiness,” I tell her.

“She’s right, you know. I never in my life thought I’d see my brother be the man he is now. And that is all thanks to you,” Sofia says, moving in to give Gia a hug.

“Thank you, girls. I’m so grateful to have you both,” Gia says, taking both of our hands and giving them a squeeze.

“Okay, enough of the emotional shit. We don’t have time to fix anyone’s makeup,” I announce, lifting my glass in the air for a toast. “Go get him,Mrs. Moretti.”

* * *

A pianist and violinist begin to play a version of Ed Sheeran’s song “Perfect” as the waiting crowd stands. We’re at the Lake Como Resort, where the guests are all seated outside with a view of the lake as a backdrop against the fresh floral arch where Fabi and the priest stand waiting.

Sofia starts walking down the aisle as I step forward, waiting my turn. My palms are sweaty, and the bouquet feels heavy in my hands. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and my heartbeat picks up. I let out a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Jeez, if this is how I’m feeling, how is Gia coping?

I turn slightly and see Gia standing behind me with her dad, displaying the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. Giving her a quick wink, I turn back around and wait another second until Sofia reaches the halfway mark before beginning to walk down the aisle.

The light breeze from the wind blows through the half of my hair that’s been curled and left down to flow freely. My makeup is soft and subtle, with a light lilac color on my eyes and my lips painted a soft nude. Sofia and I wear matching floor-length purple chiffon dresses with an open back. I look at the crowd as I pass by, getting closer to the altar, and feel the heat intensify. I don’t need to look, because I already know it’s coming fromhisgaze.

Don’t look at him.

Instead, I take a quick glance at Marco – who usually has a face of stone, but gives me a brief smirk – before I train my focus on Sofia. Once I’m by her side, I turn to face the same direction I just came, as we all watch Gia walk down the aisle.

I’ve known Mr. Roberts, Gia’s dad, almost my entire life, and I can see the tears in his watery eyes he’s trying to hold back. Although he’s already walked her down the aisle before when she got married to Gallo, this time around is entirely different.

As Gia and Fabi step forward to be greeted by the priest, I can still feel the intense heat ofhisstare. I felt it the entire time I walked down the aisle and while watching Gia and her father. It’s practically searing through me. His eyes have been on me from the second I stepped onto the aisle and remain that way during the ceremony.

* * *

It’s been the most beautiful day, and I couldn’t be happier that Gia has finally found her happily ever after. We’ve just finished some of the best authentic Italian food I’ve ever had. A selection of chicken parmesan, cavatelli, spaghetti and meatballs, wedding soup, fresh salad, and of course, pizza, was served to everyone. It was divine.

The pianist and violinist have finished up their set, and the band is now set up for the rest of tonight’s entertainment. Gia is on the dance floor with her dad as they beautifully glide around the room for their father/daughter dance.

I stand at the side, waiting for the bridal party dance, which is up next. I can’t even express how relieved I am to be paired with Marco, although it’ll be interesting to see if that brick wall even makes his way out to the dance floor. It took a little time, but surprisingly, Marco has become somewhat of an older brother figure. And underneath it all – likewayunderneath – he is an even bigger softie than Fabi.

Goosebumps pebble my skin as I feel someone come up behind me.

“Are you ready?” he asks quietly into my ear, his deep baritone setting my body ablaze.

Hoping he doesn’t hear my breath catching when I hear his voice, I turn my head briefly to see Dom standing as close as he can behind me.

“Ready for what?” I ask in confusion.

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