Page 43 of Mr Billionaire Boss Grump

I toyed with the idea of bringing her to Italy, but even though I knew she would love it here, I couldn’t put her through the discomfort and trauma of airline travel. She’s just not that sort of cat. Contessa, now advanced in years, had the care and adoration of Sandy, Desmond, and now, Gloria. She would be alright. She would be more than alright. That cat had landed safely on her paws, once more. That didn’t mean that saying goodbye to her was easy. I cried and cried into Contessa’s fur as the taxi waited for me to drag myself away.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” I blubbed stroking Contessa’s coat.

“Do you mind,” Contessa said, staring blankly at me with bemusement. “You’re making me all wet. Ewww. It’s really not nice, what you’re doing. Honestly. Get a grip!”

What can I say? I love her and always will. And I can visit her when I’m in New York.

Once I was in the taxi to the airport, I felt fine. Leaving my New York apartment felt fine. My whole life had changed so completely, in a few short weeks, I was looking forward to my future. A wonderful, blissful future with the man of my dreams. I smiled to myself as the taxi stopped at Departures, JFK. I was going to marry Gianni Moretti and live a wonderful life in Italy.

Gianni met me at Florence airport and whisked me away to meet his parents at the family home.

“Finally, we meet the American girl who stole Gianni’s heart,” said Carlo, Gianni’s dad. He hugged me as if I was part of the family already and Marta, his mom, hugged me too, once she had stopped crying. They made me feel so welcome straight off. And I was buzzing with excitement to be there, on the patio by the pool, holding Gianni’s hand, looking out at the vineyards and rolling hills.

“This place is so beautiful,” I say breathing it all in.

Gianni puts his arms around me then leads me back to the table which had been laid out with platters of pasta and salads. We sit down to eat together. Carlo pours out the wine, then raises his glass.

“To your continued happiness Gianni, my son, and Libby, our beautiful soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Saluti. Cheers.”

On the morning of our wedding, Marta and Luisa flap about trying to help me get ready. My Italian has improved a great deal in the months leading up to today. I am no way near fluent, but I can have a conversation with Marta. She lays out the wedding dress on the bed for me. It is exquisite. She tells me it was her great-grandmother’s and is made from handmade lace as she smooths the wrinkles from the matching veil.

“And I will wear it too, when I get married,” says Luisa who is already dressed in her bridesmaid outfit.

“That’s a long time away, Luisa,” says Marta, laughing.

“Well, yes. I don’t have a boyfriend yet,” Luisa continues as if she hasn’t heard. “But I have a list of criteria that he needs to pass.”

“Like an exam?” I ask intrigued. “Luisa, you are a genius. I wish I’d thought of that.”

“Yes. I am,” says Luisa, pausing her thought as she applies a little lip gloss. “You mean, you don’t have a list of requirements for your potential husband?”

Marta and I look at each other and laugh.

“She doesn’t know about love yet,” I say in a loud theatrical whisper.

“Oh yes, I do. I know all about love. Huh. I know it means trouble.”

“Yes, Luisa. You are so right. Again.”

Luisa stands close to me and says, “I have a surprise for you.”

“Great. What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, duh.”

I pull the dress over my head and look in the full-length bedroom mirror as Marta does up the run-of-pearl buttons up the back. Luisa stands to one side holding the veil.

“You look beautiful,” says Marta. Her reflection smiles back at me.

“Thank you. For everything.”

The knock at the door means it’s time we were on our way to the church. Marta collects the bouquets of pink roses from the table. The housekeeper and ground staff wave as we walk down the steps to where the car is supposed to be. But instead of a car, an old-style horse carriage is waiting, pulled by an elegant white stallion with a billowy mane and tail: a unicorn without a horn.

“Tadaah! This is my surprise,” says Luisa with a huge smile. “This is Snowy. He’s my pony and he’s going to take us to the church. Isn’t he beautiful?”

The driver stands by the carriage door and helps us up the step.

Panzano is only a couple of miles down and then up a single-track road. I reach for Luisa’s hand and tell her that her surprise is the best and I couldn’t be happier. I feel like a princess.

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