Page 96 of Roman

“She cried.”

He gaped at me. “Nonna never cries.”

“She did. She recovered quickly, but there were tears. Then she gave me shit about only having a short time to find a dress and make sure the house was”—I lifted my fingers in quotation marks—“‘in order’ for Effie. As if it wasn’t already pristine.”

“You made her happy, Roman.”

“She likes Effie.”

“I do too.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Such praise, brother. So quickly.”

He pursed his lips, dipping his chin. “You are different with her. Whether you see it or not, you are. She suits you.”

“Vi says the same thing.”

He chuckled. “Vi is a smart woman. I assume she will stand for Effie. Aldo for you?”

“I planned to ask you.”

He smiled. “I will escort Nonna and sit with her and my wife. Have Aldo by your side. He belongs there.”

“You do as well.”

“I am always beside you, Roman. I have your back as well. Let me sit with my wife and Nonna.”

“Are you worried about trouble?”

He smiled so the women didn’t wonder what we were discussing. “I always am. How many will be there?”

“Very few. Only some trusted allies. This is private, much like yours was. Effie has only a few close friends to invite. Most of the room will be my list. I plan to keep it small without upsetting anyone.”

“Good plan.”

Luca lifted his glass. “To Roman and Effie. May they be as happy as Justine and I. Salute.”

We clinked glasses, Justine only taking a small sip. I knew they weren’t publicly sharing the news of her pregnancy yet as it was early. I winked at her knowingly, and she smiled as she tilted her head toward Effie and winked back her approval.

I met Effie’s lovely eyes, something in me relaxing. She was with me, and that was where she would stay. And soon, the world would know.

Whatever the fallout of that was, we would handle it together.

In the car, Effie turned her head from looking out the window. “Is Justine pregnant?”

“Why would you ask?”

“She didn’t drink her wine, had no shellfish, and she looked a little tired. Luca was very protective of her.”

“He always is, but yes, she is. He told me this morning.”

“How lovely.”

I didn’t like the sadness in her voice. I took her hand. “We can have children, Effie. If that is something you desire, you only have to tell me.”

She smiled and nodded, but she still looked sad. I took her chin in my hand. “What?”

“I need to see how things, ah, go before deciding something like that. We should get to know each other a little better first. Maybe settle into a life with each other first before adding the stress of a baby.”