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“Summer wedding, huh?” He tried to play it cool, but I could tell he wanted very much to be involved in the planning.
“I already told Andrea that you want to help,” I assured him.
“Yes, that was wise of you. And what about my position in the wedding?”
“Well, that really depends on something, doesn’t it?” I eyed him as I pretended to dig through my purse.
“What?”
“What really happened when Vinni found you?”
“I’m not following. You know the story.”
“Yeah,” I sat down next to him, “I know the story you told everyone, but I also know there’s a whole chunk of time that was skimmed over. I know you well, Wyatt, so spill it.”
He stood and winced in pain again as he took a seat across from me so he could prop up his sore hip. Mariano had done a number on his legs, and I felt another surge of anger and guilt that my best friend was in pain because of me.
“Vinni found me where I’d tucked myself in a small alcove to wait for help. He got me into his car, and we drove here.”
“That’s it?” I studied my best friend. I knew there was more to it, and it wasn’t like him not to share.
“That’s it.” He looked away, and I wanted to pry more, but he obviously wasn’t ready yet. “When do we leave?”
“What? So, you’re coming?” I tossed a shirt at him.
“A chance of a lifetime to be wined and dined all over Italy like royalty? Hell, yes, I’m totally tagging along. Besides, I quit today, so I have nothing better to do with my life right now.”
“Wait, what?” This was news to me.
“It was time. I’m tired of working for Georgio, and if I’m ever going to get my name out there, it needs not to be associated with his. Besides, Elio has some friends who are going to help me launch my own company, and being my own boss sounds a whole lot better than working for Georgio. He never sends the good stuff my way, anyway.”
“Well, that’s great news to me.” I smiled and thought how amazing it was that Elio would do that for him. “In that case, we leave for the airport tomorrow at five a.m.”
“I should pack.” He limped out of the bedroom.
I watched as he walked down the hall to the guest room where he was staying. I was happy for Wyatt, and more than pleased that he would have more time to spend with me.
I had just returned to my packing when I heard the front door open. I checked the time, thinking Elio’s meeting with his father must have ended early. I put in another pair of shoes then went to peek over the railing only to see the door close again.Huh, odd.
“Si?” Wyatt poked his head out the door. “Any chance you want to help me pack?”
“No.”
“Good. My bag is on the bed.” His pleading face found me, and I rolled my eyes and went to help my friend pack his belongings. I was done with mine, anyway.
After we dragged our bags down the stairs and left them by the door, I started dinner, trying to mentally prepare for what this tour meant for us. I was mostly nervous about going back to Rome to plead with the people who thought I was Mikey. We not only needed them to know that I wasn’t Mikey, but to join with us. Going home again wasn’t something I’d ever wanted to do, but Elio insisted it would be healthy for us both to go back and spend a little time with the people there.
“Should I keep stirring?” Wyatt broke into my thoughts, and I nodded for him to keep going. I was just finishing up chopping the shallots when Vinni came in looking stressed.
“Hey, you hungry?” I brushed the onion into the sauce.
“I think so.” He sat on one of the stools at the island and dropped a notebook with a leather strap on the counter then rubbed his face.
“Bad day?” Wyatt asked while I added salt to the pasta water.
“My mother is on a good one.” I went still and tried not to show my discomfort with the mention of his mama. “Niccola and I have always had our problems with Mama. Sometimes we wonder if she suffers from being bi-polar because she gets in these dark moods. She often will disappear for days at a time. It’s hard to take, and it’s why we understood when Papa left. It just wasn’t healthy for anyone.”
“My aunt is bi-polar,” Wyatt admitted. “I’ve seen her pull some nasty things, like trying to break up my sister and her now husband. Her mind games can be pretty damaging if you’re not careful.”
