Page 27 of Three Times You

“You shouldn’t drink that.”

“I know, but come on, rules are made for breaking, every once in a while. Anyway, look, Don Andrea is waiting for you.”

“Okay.” So I stand up and head over to him.

Gin shouts at me from a distance. “Hey, cheer up. You look like you’re going to the gallows!”

I turn around and laugh. Then I sit down across from Don Andrea.

“You did look pretty resigned.”

“Yes, but not too resigned.”

He smiles at me. “That’s true. I’m happy to hear what Ginevra just told me.”

“So am I.”

“Seriously?”

I’m caught off guard for a moment. “Certainly. I’m about to marry her, and I’d made up my mind long before the unfortunate accident.”

He starts laughing. “Yes, I know, I know…Well, listen, Stefano, there’s something I want to tell you. There’s a special confession that’s considered necessary with a priest before being married. If you say a certain thing, then one day this marriage could be nullified. And no matter what, the priest is obliged to maintain the sacramental seal of confession.”

Then there’s a moment of silence, as if he meansto let me have a little time to think it over, to make my decision.

“Lots of people say something intentionally in order to be sure that, whatever happens, they can always have the marriage nullified at some later date.” Again, he sits there in silence. He turns to look toward the lake and, without turning to me, he asks, “All right then, do you want to tell me anything? Do you want to confess anything?”

And I’m surprised by what I say next.

Chapter 20

When I get back to the table, I feel relieved.

“Beautiful evening, no? What do you say, my love?”

Gin squeezes my hand tight. “Yes, really nice.”

“Did you like what we ate?”

“I did, a lot. In fact, I loved it. It was really perfect. Everything was delicious.”

She gives me a sidelong glance as we get in the car. Then she laughs. “Are you sure? You haven’t changed your mind, have you? Don’t leave me standing at the altar! We’re not going to have one of those strange weddings where the bride is just left waiting for the bridegroom…right?”

“No…”

Gin throws both arms wide as if frightened. “Help! You just uttered the vaguest ‘no’ I’ve ever heard. Not a hundred percent convinced. A very dangerous ‘no’!”

I can see her mother laughing. They’re sitting in front of us. Gabriele’s driving, and he must certainly have overheard.

“Hey, no…”

“Oh God, this one was worse than the last one! No, no, no. You’re going to leave me standing at the altar!”

And she jumps on me, laughing and punching me in the shoulder.

“Ouch!”

“Well, that’s nothing! Maybe you’ve forgotten that I’ve done plenty of boxing, and I’m deadly serious about it, you know. I’m not kidding around! Well? Spit it out!” She ducks under and punches me in the hips, hitting but basically just tickling me. “Talk!”

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