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My sister gives him a knowing smile and says, “I’ll wait downstairs.”
She’s driving us to the venue as she’s decided she’s not drinking anymore while she’s trying for a baby. Mom’s already there, so there’s just me and Laz upstairs.
Laz gives a low whistle as he walks slowly toward me. “Bambi, you look drop-dead gorgeous.”
“It’s ridiculous. I should look how I feel, which is like crap.”
His brows draw together in concern. “You feel sick?”
I rub the heel of my hand across my belly and grimace. “Yeah. This party is stressing me out. I haven’t been able to eat much all week because I’m nervous.”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about. Just be your beautiful self and I’ll handle everything.”
“You can’t stop Mom from pushing some man at me.”
“Oh, yes, I can.” His hand drifts up my ribs and he squeezes my breast. I gasp in pain and pull away.
“Shit, sorry. Bambi. Are you sore? Are you getting your period?”
Short of punching my suitor in the face and marching him out of the party, I don’t know what Laz can do about him. “I guess. I think I’m late, actually.”
“You are? How late?”
I grab a lipstick and shove it in my clutch. Why does my head feel so cloudy? I wish I could crawl back in bed for a nap. “A few days, I guess. I didn’t even get my period last month. I heard that you can miss your period if you’re stressed and I’ve not been sleeping well lately. Even when I do sleep, I’m so tired the next day.”
I should go to the doctor in case my prescription is messing with me and I need a different one. I expect Laz to berate me for not taking care of myself, but for some reason he cups my face with both hands and kisses me with passion.
A craving for this man sweeps over me. I didn’t realize how badly I needed a kiss like this. When he pulls away, I ask, “What was that for?”
Laz smooths my hair back, panting slightly as he gazes down at me. “Because you’re beautiful. Now, come on. Let’s get this stupid party over with.”
We arrive at the venue twenty minutes later and park. Mom’s rented a room with an enormous terrace, and a long table is set for fifty people. Everyone important in the Bianchi and Rosetti families is here.
I glance at the trays of champagne, wondering if I can get away with swiping one. I probably could, but my stomach threatens to rebel, so I ask at the bar for a sparkling water and lemon instead.
One of my uncle’s wives corners me and begins aggressively singing the praises of the man I’m going to meet today. Meanwhile, across the room, Laz appears relaxed as he lounges against a pillar chatting with Mom’s eldest nephew.
Mom appears at his side and takes his hand, and calls to the guests that it’s time to eat.
Laz stares at her hand holding his. Suddenly, he lifts his head and raises his voice. “Actually, I have an announcement to make before we eat.”
Mom looks at him in surprise.
My guts suddenly knot.
Everyone in the room turns their attention to Laz and the room falls silent.
My lover gazes slowly around at the crowd. “When I married Giulia, my brothers hoped it would mean their wild baby brother would finally settle down.”
There’s a smattering of polite laughter, but none of it’s from Laz’s brothers. Fabrizio narrows his eyes. He clearly wasn’t expecting or desiring Laz to make a speech.
“All my brothers, especially Faber, have been hoping that I’ll become a father. Okay, I’ll admit it didn’t appeal to me at first.” Laz smiles disarmingly at the crowd, and there’s more polite laughter. “But I’ve come around to the idea, thanks to one special woman, and I want everyone to know that I’m ready. I want a family of my own.”
Rieta shoots me a confused look and edges closer to whisper, “He’s planning on staying with Mom? Mom’s having his baby?”
The sick feeling in my stomach quadruples and my hands start to sweat. My soul feels like it’s being crushed beneath an unrelenting weight. Laz swore all this time that they weren’t having sex. He promised.
Mom smiles up at him, confused but pleased. She’s seeing her husband in a whole new light. He’s attentive. He’s taking charge. She practically purrs, “Darling, I’m so pleased to hear you talking this way.”
