I shake my head. “No, he didn’t. They were…being awful.”
Lily scoffs. “When aren’t they? But you’re so loyal. What did they do that’s so severe thatyoucut them off? And who all are we talking about here? Just your grandparents? Just your dad and grandparents? Or your mom, too?”
I take a deep breath and cross my arms in front of my chest. “All of them. It was my mom who put the final nail in the coffin, though. She knew all along that my grandparents were going to use me in an arranged marriage for mafia business stuff.All of my life, Lily.And, for as much as she complained about my grandparents, she did nothing. She didn’t even check on me once I told her what was happening, because she sent me to my grandparents’ house fully knowing about it already.”
Lily’s eyes widen as I ramble on, her mouth falling open in shock. “That’s awful, Amy,” Lily says quietly, shaking her head.
“I know,” my voice is nearly a whisper, my throat feeling tight with emotion.
Lily doesn’t hesitate. She pulls me into a hug, rubbing my back. “And you’ve been doing this all alone, saddled with some stinky man who you don’t even know…a dangerous man, at that. But at least he isn’t bald.”
I laugh through my tears as I wipe them from my cheeks. “No, he’s very handsome. And sweet and thoughtful.”
Lily pulls back and looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What? What are you even saying?”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Don’t hate me.”
She scoffs. “Hate you? I could never hate you. Just spill the beans. You like this guy?” I nod. Before I can even elaborate, she chuckles. “I wondered with the looks you were giving each other when you were saying your vows. It was admittedly adorable. I get him looking atyouwith heart eyes, I mean, you’re beautiful and amazing, but I noticed you were kinda looking at him with lovey-dovey eyes, too… I thought maybe you were just acting…”
I arch a brow, smiling a bit. It feels good after the sadness of talking about my family. “Since when have you known me to be a faker, much less agoodone?”
She joins me in giggling. “Eh, good point.”
I nudge her playfully. “And no, he isn’t bald.”
“Why do I always catch you two talking about me being bald?” I feel a hand snake around my waist and I nearly jump out of my skin. Kerry arches a brow, a smirk playing on his lips.
Lily snorts. “Because mafia overloads aren’t supposed to be hot.”
Kerry has to tear his eyes away from me to look at Lily. He arches a brow. “Oh? Is that so? Well, I’m sorry to be such a disappointment.”
“You could never?—”
“Amy, I swear to god if you sayyou could never be a disappointment,I’m going to vomit and shake you until you can properly hear yourself.” Lily places her hands on her hips.
Kerry throws his head back and laughs. He turns back to me, still smiling. “I like her.”
I grin at him. “Me too. Even if she is a pain in my butt sometimes.”
Lily rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling, too. “Anyways, as we were saying, your family sucks and I guess he’s okay.” She gestures to Kerry. “I’m really glad to hear that, Amy. Really. It relieves me more than I can tell you.”
I nod and slip out of Kerry’s grasp to hug her again. “What about you?” I whisper. “Are you okay?”
Lily sighs as she pulls back, looking down at the grass. “I will be. In time.”
“If he treats you wrong, say the word. I’ll have it handled.” I turn to gawk at Kerry. He pretty much just offered to kill a man for someone he doesn’t know without hesitation. A man who’s supposed to be a “co-worker” of his.
Lily arches a brow, like she’s surprised by that, too. “Okay. So maybe you really are cool. I’ll keep that in mind in case he tries any funny business, but I don’t think we’re there yet. He’s just…annoying. And obtuse. And maybe a little dumb, I don’t know. But my grandfather seems nice. So that’s…something. I didn’t even know he existed.”
I release a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “Well, that’s good. Maybe I can meet your grandfather sometime.” I try for a smile, hoping it’s reassuring since I’m sure this whole situation is stressful for Lily.
My best friend arches her brow. “Yeah, maybe. From what I can tell, he’d love for me to have visitors and to meet my best friend. It’s more my…husbandI’m more worried about.” Lily hesitates on the wordhusbandlike it’s still not a familiar word for her to use in terms of herself.
I nod, suddenly feeling sad about what’s been stolen from us. “I wish I could’ve been at your wedding.”
Lily’s expression softens. “I know. I wish you could’ve too.” Then she rolls her eyes. “But you shouldn’t worry too much. There was nothing much to see. It took like…three minutes.”
I gasp. “No, it couldn’t bethatfast!”
