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I glance at her ring and see that it’s classic and simple. Though I don’t know her well, it seems to fit her and Mauro perfectly. “Thanks.”
“Did someone say ring?” Bella comes over with a glass of champagne. “Hey, Maddie.”
The two hug.
“You haven’t seen Valentina’s ring yet?” Maddie asks Bella, her forehead scrunched.
Bella eyes me for a second, then her gaze falls to my left hand. “Oh, yeah… of course. That ring.”
Maddie picks up my hand to look at it again.
“Wow, I keep forgetting how big it is.” Bella covers her eyes. “I think I should razz Dom and ask if the diamond is the same size as his heart.”
We all laugh. They don’t know Dom like I do, but I kind of like that. I get the homebody side of him. The one who walks around barefoot and loves thunderstorms. Who spends a whole night perfecting a dish. The man who will binge-watch a television show with me while pigging out on junk food.
“Congratulations, I just heard.” Cristian’s girlfriend, Vanessa, saunters over in an elegant, form-fitting dress with an off-color heel. She hugs me, her perfume crisp and light. I swear she could be a supermodel.
“Thank you.”
“How is married life, Maddie?” Bella moves the conversation away from Dom and me. Thank God. But she purses her lips, sneaking looks at me. I haven’t really talked to her or Annie about the marriage being fake, but from the way she’s acting, the boys know, which means they do.
“It’s good,” Maddie says. “Not much different than pre-married life, but—”
“She’s already knocked up,” Vanessa spills the gossip.
“Wow, congratulations!” I say.
Maddie runs her over her stomach. “It’s early, so…” She shoots Vanessa the evil eye.
“What? Maria knows, so everyone will know by the end of the weekend, and you’re four months along.”
Maddie smiles and shakes her head. “If anyone has any questions, I’ll be sure to send them your way. Thanks for telling everyone my news.”
Vanessa grabs a champagne glass off a passing server’s tray. “Welcome,” she says without an ounce of regret.
“How are the happy couple?” Bella asks, staring ahead at where Luca and Lauren are talking with a priest.
“Let’s see, the wedding has been pure drama so far. Those two fight like two heavyweights, but one minute they’re disagreeing on who sits where and the next we find them in the closet, half undressed.” Maddie rolls her eyes then shrugs. “That’s just them.”
“Zia looks very happy,” Vanessa says.
All of our eyes shoot to Anna escorting Annie around the room, introducing her to everyone.
“Annie’s her favorite,” Bella says.
I glance at Bella, hoping she doesn’t really think that. “She’s been in the family longer.” I knock my elbow against hers. “I’m the newbie.”
“You have a ring. You’re the Mancini daughter-in-law,” Maddie says.
Bella chokes on her champagne.
“Are you okay?” Maddie asks.
Bella nods, trying to swallow. “I’m just so excited for Val and Dom.” Bella places her hand on my arm. “Vanessa, did you see the ring?” She pulls up my arm.
“Sweet Jesus!” Vanessa’s mouth hangs open. “That’s huge.”
“That’s Dom.” Cristian steps into our circle. “Ladies.” He goes around and hugs us and kisses our cheeks. “Always such a show-off.” Once he’s at Vanessa’s side, he stares at her.
