Page 73 of Ms. Lead

Let me down easy.

I search again for Enzo, and his concern has only deepened since the beginning of the ceremony. I’m worried about the so-called innocent threat he made to Oliver in Lake Tahoe about what he’d do if I got hurt. Enzo is not one for violence, but the look on his face has me thinking he might actually be considering it. I try to glare at him without being obvious about it. Hopefully, our connection is strong enough for him to know what I’m trying to say without words.

The ceremony ends. I wasn’t paying attention enough to know that it was coming to an end, and have to scramble to my position in line. As the procession reverses back down the aisle, I find myself glaring at everyone. Family. Friends. Brother. Oliver. Even Theresa gets caught in the crossfire.

I guess nobody escapes a wedding unscathed.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

OLIVER

WHATEVER IT TAKES

February 18th

I made it. I don’t know how, but I made it. And not only that, I found the right church, and the right wedding. Thanks to one of my mates from the Thursday support group who has an Italian wife, I was able to figure out where to go. However, even knowing where to go, getting here wasn’t easy. It still took four flights to get me here, and finding the church was challenging since I don’t speak any Italian outside of menu items.

While I make it, it’s only with a few minutes to spare. I sit when the bridal party comes in, giggling from their apparent run in the rain. When I see Bianca for the first time in six months, laughing and utterly unaware that I’m here, I just want to run up to her and grab her into the most passionate kiss we’ve ever shared. Somehow, I restrain myself from ruining the entire wedding by doing that and let the ceremony unfold.

Glancing over to the other side of the aisle, I notice Enzo. He sees me at the same time, and if looks could kill, I’d be at least critically wounded. I understand the protective brother instinct he has. The connection he shares with Bianca is a sibling relationship I’ve been jealous of since we met. I suppose if I were him, I’d probably like to do me harm as well.

Turning my attention back to Bianca once the music starts, I am so captivated by her, I lose time. The next thing I know, she’s staring at me in confusion, holding up the procession.

Maybe coming to the wedding was a bad idea. I’ve obviously surprised Bianca, and not in the best way, apparently, because she’s now crying. Bloody hell. I can’t seem to do anything right when it comes to her.

The ceremony goes by in a blur as I only pay attention to Bianca during the entire thing. She is even more beautiful than I remembered, as if that’s somehow possible. It shouldn’t be possible, but here we are, with her beauty outshining everyone in the room, even the bride, if I may be so bold.

We watch each other the entire time, and I can’t tell what she’s thinking about my presence here. I want to believe that she’s happy, or at least pleased to see me, but I can’t tell what she’s thinking. She might just be happy about her cousin’s nuptials and not about me.

When it’s over, and they make their way down the aisle again, all I get from Bianca is a glare. Actually, she glares at everyone she passes. Even her family. And it’s not just passing glares. She pointedly looks at people with disdain, as if she’s cursing every person in attendance. It’s a bit startling.

The next thing I know, I’m being almost body-slammed into the section next to me behind a column. It’s Enzo. Of course. He’s careful not to manhandle me too much, at least.

“What the heck are you doing here?” he snarls in my ear. “I’d swear, but I’d go straight to hell without passing Go if I swore in a church, and my Nan would be disappointed in me.”

“Hello to you too, Enzo,” I say, trying to gather my bearings after being transported so swiftly to this new location.

“I’m being serious, Oliver. What are you doing here?” He glances around to make sure we’re not being overheard.

“Actually, I’m here for Bianca.” I look him straight in the eyes. “Remember how you read my aura in Tahoe? Can you do that here and now?”

Curiosity has me in its clutches, and I need to know if he sees the change in me or not. That might tell me if Bianca will see it too.

He backs up, examining me carefully. I try not to wither under the scrutiny and prove the changes I’ve been through the past six months. I have no idea if that can be done through my ‘aura’ since I’m not even sure I believe in them, but Enzo does. So, I put it all in his hands, trusting it’s the right thing to do.

Something shifts behind his eyes. I think he sees it. He can see that I’ve changed. At least, I hope that is what’s happening.

“Well, I’ll be damned. You’ve turned your gray skies into blue.” He’s nodding, primarily to himself because I have no clue what a blue aura means, but apparently, it’s positive.

I arch a brow at him, hoping that he’ll elaborate on his pronouncement.

“It means that you’re finally living your truth. Whatever that means for you is up to you.” His expression still doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies, but his words do.

I sigh internally in relief. He’s not wrong. I am finally living in my truth. But a part of that, a crucial part of that, needs to include Bianca.

My jet lag, exhaustion, and excitement at finding Bianca after searching for days are catching up to me.

“Can I go find your sister now? I kind of need to tell her that I love her and can’t live without her. If you don’t mind, of course.”

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