Page 18 of Lorenzo

Oddly, I find myself obsessed with what it must look like hanging loose down her shoulders and flowing down her back.

Well, Emily is my wife now.

I’ll find out soon enough.

As I kiss her, I taste something on her lips like the Cherry Lifesaver candies I loved as a kid.

Probably some newfangled lip gloss.

Emily pulls away quickly.

“And now,” the officiant says. “I pronounce you man and wife.”

The room breaks into applause.

A little girl near the front row flings a fistful of rice that catches me on the chin before scattering across Emily’s veil. I take Emily’s hand and turn to face her.

“It’s time we say goodbye to our guests and we go to our room,” I say.

Her lips purse as I lead her to the private elevator.

When the doors open to my apartment, Emily steps inside but says nothing.

“Like your new digs?”

She shrugs and walks to the window.

“Nice view. Is that Madison Square Garden? Teddy would love a picture,” she says as she snaps one with her phone.

My gut clenches instinctively in jealousy. Whatever my feelings about Emily, she’s still my wife. “Who’s Teddy?”

“My kid brother is at boarding school in the Berkshires, and he’s the only reason I agreed to this marriage. Now, I have to wait until you and my uncle finalize whatever deal you have cooking.”

Emily continues to glare at me.

“And speaking of my uncle, he was vague about this arrangement. Your employee Ciro showed me the apartment. Why is it that there’s only one bed?”

“Because there’s only one bed in this apartment.”

“And we’re expected to share it?” Emily says, hands on hips.

“You are my wife, in the eyes of the law.”

“My uncle didn’t reveal the reason for this temporary marriage but did say consummation wasn’t necessary. May I have your word as a gentleman that this is true?”

Her tone is matter-of-fact. Like she’s read the fine print and found a clause.

“You have nothing to fear on that point. I have no interest in complicating this arrangement.”

I straighten my jacket.

“And now, I have things to attend to at the office. See you later tonight.”

CHAPTER 8

EMILY

“You can’t wake me up at 7:00 a.m. Italian time without juicy news,” says Anna, answering my call on the first ring.