Page 13 of Mine To Honor (Southern Wedding)

“Hey,” he answers after the second ring and before Eva can talk me out of calling him.

“Hey,” I greet back quickly, “how are you doing?”

I look over at Eva, who shakes her head and mouths, “I’m not here,” as she motions to her neck with her hand and shakes her head. “Can’t complain,” he replies. “What about you?”

This whole conversation is strained and I have no doubt Stefano feels it as well. “Yeah, yeah, it’s good,” I say. “Are you home?”

“I am,” he confirms. “Is everything okay with you?”

“Um, yeah,” I say, glancing at the screen, then looking out my window. “Listen, Eva and I are going to come visit with you tomorrow.”

“Eva,” he says her name, “and you”—his voice stops—“are coming to visit with me tomorrow?” He repeats my words and I close my eyes thinking maybe I should have just shown up at his place.

“Yeah,” I state as if it’s nothing and look over at Eva, who just shakes her head and mouths, “Idiot.”

“Is something wrong?” Stefano asks, his voice going low, and I hear he’s walking fast. “Should I come to you guys? Where is Eva?”

“She’s—” I start to say when I roll my eyes as I think of an excuse but nothing, and I mean nothing, is coming to me, my mind is a blank canvas. Actually, the only thing that is coming to me is I will probably be married by this time next week. Married. I open my left hand to see my finger. Will I wear a ring?

“I’m right here,” Eva pipes up, smacking my right arm to snap me out of my freak-out.

“You’re next to Levi, and you guys are coming down tomorrow?” he questions. I hear ringing and look down at my phone to see he’s trying to FaceTime us.

“What do I do?” I whisper over to Eva, who grabs the phone out of my hand.

“You’re the worst,” she whispers back, pressing the green button. She waits for the white circle to go around and say it’s connecting and Stefano’s face fills the screen.

He brings the phone close to his face. “Why does she look like that?” he grinds between clenched teeth. “Levi, did you do something?” I glare over at the phone, putting my head back on the headrest.

“Listen, it’s too much to explain right now,” Eva explains, “but I know you, and you’ll go all apeshit crazy.”

“Batshit crazy,” I correct her, “it’s you who is going batshit crazy.”

“Really?” she growls between clenched teeth. “Now you want to correct me?” She doesn’t even let me answer. “Anyway, before you alert the whole Greek family and they start descending on me, I’m fine, he’s fine.” She motions with her head toward me. “But there is something we need to talk about, and we will do it tomorrow when we get there.” She looks over at me. “Anything you would like to add?”

“Nope,” I reply, unsure of saying anything really. Stefano is the closest thing I have to a brother. Being an only child to parents who had me a lot later in life, who actually just had me so they could say they had me. They did their duty, but when I moved out and went to college, we drifted apart. They did their thing, I did mine. We would talk a couple of times a year but it was nothing like Stefano had with his parents. It was only when I was around Stefano and his parents that I realized I missed out. I know it’s not my parents’ fault, it’s just who they are. “I’m here with Eva and I’m going to book us flights today.”

“You are going to book flights?” Stefano says, chuckling. “The last time you booked yourself a flight you ended up going to another airport in a propeller plane.”

“How was I supposed to know they had two airports in Toronto?” I shout. “It said Toronto City, you can’t blame me for that.”

“You thought you were going to die.” He can’t stop laughing as he retells the story.

“What was I supposed to think? The plane kept getting closer and closer to the water,” I defend and Eva snatches the phone from me.

“Okay, I have things to do and you have things to do. I will send you the details. Give my love to Addison and Avery,” Eva declares, and she’s about to hang up when Stefano quickly chimes into the conversation.

“My parents are here. I’ll tell them you are coming.” I close my eyes and shake my head.

“Great.” Eva forces a smile on her face. “Can’t wait to see everyone.” She quickly hangs up and tosses the phone at me before grabbing her own cell phone.

“What are you doing?” I ask as she moves her fingers fast.

“I’m booking us on a flight. See, I’m already doing amazing as a wife.”

I roll my eyes and pull away from the building. “His parents are going to be there.” She looks over at me. “It’s one thing when it’s just you and me,” I continue, “but now your whole family will be there.”

“I know.” I hear her take a deep breath.

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