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For the first time, I saw—really saw—what Matthew saw in Nina de Vries. She was as strong as any one of us in her own refined way and was ready to defend my brother against anything.
That alone was worth giving her a real chance. And just maybe, maybe, made her his equal.
Sherry flipped her over-blown hair, eyes dancing between Matthew, Nina, and the rest of us behind him. Then, with a few more shuttered words, she turned and slowly made her way out of the church with all the dignity of a maimed dog.
“Oh my God,” Lea mumbled in front of me, so low I was the only one who could hear it.
“What?” I whispered, unwilling to break the silent satisfaction while Sherry moped her way out of the church.
But Lea’s eyes were fixed on something else. Something shiny that was only just evident through the prim lace gloves Nina had been wearing throughout the service. Now that I saw it, though, I couldn’t ignore the gleaming, if modest diamond, shining through the delicate material.
“You’re engaged?” Lea squawked, unable to keep it in anymore.
Matthew froze, then made a grab for Nina’s hand. “This wasn’t really the way we were planning to tell you, but yeah, Lea,” he said. “I asked Nina to marry me. And she said yes.”
I gaped, right along with the rest of my sisters. What was happening? Months he’d been back from Italy. Months he’d been whistling around the house like he was one of the freaking seven dwarves. And all the while, my brother had been engaged to be married.
And he hadn’t told me.
Hurt vibrated through my entire body. I knew I was just one of many here. One of the gossips. One of the hens.
But Matthew and I lived together. We took care of each other.
Didn’t we?
“Signora Zola.” Nina broke the awkward standoff, turning her attention back to Nonna once more.
My grandmother stood behind us all, arms crossed firmly over her conservative wool sweater, the gold crucifix she always wore on Sundays swinging lightly across her chest. Nonna’s creased face was as made up as ever, cat eye in place, cheeks rouged, mauve lipstick perfectly applied. But she was unreadable—perhaps in fear. Perhaps in fury.
“I realize it’s a surprise,” Nina ventured, “but I would very much appreciate the chance to…explain everything. Please.”
Matthew looked more in love with her than ever. But even he managed to tear his gaze away to speak to Nonna. “Please, Nonna. Just give her a chance to say her piece. Fair’s fair.”
We all turned to Nonna, waiting for her to make her judgment. This was it, I realized. If she said no, it was over. Matthew would leave. He’d already made that clear. And the rest of us would be expected to treat him as if he’d never existed, at least in our grandmother’s house.
My heart already felt like it was breaking. Was this what it meant to love someone your family didn’t?
What if he loved your daughter too?
But then, Nonna spoke.
“Yes,” she said. “I think so. We need to talk. With Matthew and you.”
