The priest furrowed his brows. “Is that an Italian thing?”
“It’s a superstitious thing for many ethnicities,” the wedding planner answered with a knowing look.
Rafe snorted. “I think we’ve reached peak bad luck already. What’s a little more?”
From his spot on the front bench, Edoardo glared at him. “Just send another groomsman down with her and get it over with!”
With his jaw clenched, Rafe stared past Drea to me. “Leo, would you please do it so we can get the hell out of here?” At the priest clearing his throat, Rafe said, “My apologies for the language, Father.”
When I remained frozen from his request, Rafe furrowed his brows. “Earth to Leo.”
“Uh, right.”
Although I would’ve rather been flayed alive, I held out my arm to Drea. From her deer-in-the-headlights expression, she felt the same way about Rafe’s command.
When the giant organ struck up, I jumped out of my skin. “Sorry,” I muttered to Drea.
To my surprise, I found her biting her lip to keep from laughing. “What?”
“You looked like you’d been electrocuted.”
At her amusement, I couldn’t help chuckling. “Not gonna lie. I almost pissed my pants.”
Drea giggled. “I’m glad none of your enemies just saw you totally emasculated."
“Har, har.”
As we continued down the black checkered floor, Drea smiled. “I really needed that laugh, Leo.”
I returned her smile. “So did I.”
The longer she stared into my face, the more her smile faded. I knew her eyes reflected the same emotions I was feeling.
Longing
Desire
Heartbreak
Devastation.
With my heart threatening to beat out of my chest, I’d never been so fucking grateful to reach the end of a church aisle. Although I probably should’ve remained there with her as the rest of the wedding party joined us, I quickly extricated my arm. Flashing her an apologetic look, I said, “I'd better find a bathroom before the organ starts again.”
I didn’t even wait for her response. Instead, I whirled away and walked through the back of the church. Once I closed myself up inside the bathroom, I pinched my eyes shut and tried to calm my breathing.
There was no way in hell I was making it through the ceremony sober.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: DREA
As I sat in front of the lighted mirror, my mother’s stylist used a scorching hot curling wand on my hair. She’d only just finished with my makeup. Like my mother, the stylist knew little about who I really was. I wasn’t one for big, flowing hair or intense makeup.
I knew it wouldn’t do any good to complain. My mother had a vision of what I was supposed to look like, and after everything I’d put her through with my pregnancy, she didn’t have any sympathy for me.
For my parents, tonight was just as important as my wedding day tomorrow. Since he claimed I had been denied an engagement party because of Rafe’s nonsense, Father insisted on the rehearsal dinner being more festive than usual with a band and a six-course meal.
He didn’t give a shit about me–it was just an excuse to show his wealth. Not that he wouldn’t be doing that at our wedding tomorrow.
My dress was Grecian in style, made of white chiffon. It hit just below my knees. I hadn’t even picked it out–a designer had sent it for me to wear. I’d barely cared about my wedding dress, least of all this one.
