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Pia comes to my side, placing her hands on my back. “Just breathe,” she tells me in her soft, calming voice. “Just breathe.”
I slump to the ground, and Pia crouches down next to me. Morgan gives us some space. “I’m not sure how I’m going to do this,” I admit.
Pia clutches my hand. “What are you so afraid of?”
“I don’t know.” My breathing is getting easier. “All I know is that I’m afraid. How did you handle this when you married Dario?”
“I didn’t get much of a chance to think about it. It all happened so fast. But I do remember having panic attacks. Everything was so new to me. It was scary. I understand how that feels.”
“I’ve never had a panic attack before.”
Her lips twitch. “First time for everything, I guess.”
Her words make me chuckle slightly. “Yeah, I guess so.” I drop my head back against the wall. “Pia, I’m not sure how I’m going to do this.”
“Is it the thought of marriage that scares you or Matteo? Because if Matteo scares you, I’m sure Dario would reconsider.”
“You seem to have forgotten. Once Dario makes up his mind, he refuses to change it.”
“Trust me, I know. That’s how we got married. He wanted me, so he got me.” She touches my cheek.Tell me,she signs.
“I’m not sure what it is about Matteo that makes me feel this way. There are already a million things I don’t like about him, but this feels deeper.” I pause, sucking in a breath. “I’m also scared to leave home.” There it is. The underlying fear I’ve felt since the second Dario told me I would marry Matteo. “It’s all I’ve ever known. And now I’m supposed to give that up and live with a man who’s the opposite of me, and I’m not prepared for that. I have no idea what to expect. And yes, all of that terrifies me.”
I understand, she signs. “You know I was locked away my entire life. When I married Dario and came to live with all of you, it was like walking through a dream. I wasn’t sure what was real or not. But then Dario showed me how much he cared for me, and I knew I didn’t have to be so afraid any longer. I could trust him. So I chose to. And I haven’t regretted that since. I’ve only become happier. Maybe you need to give Matteo a chance like I gave Dario. He might surprise you. And you’ll see that you don’t have to be so scared.”
I rest my head on her shoulder. “Thanks. That’s good advice. I just don’t know if Matteo will be as kind as Dario was to you. I’ve never really been around bikers before. What if I get hurt?”
“Then you know Dario will be right there to save you. As will I.” She pauses. “As will Serafina.”
“God, Serafina. I don’t want to fight with her. It’s just that she thinks I should be grateful to marry Matteo. I don’t appreciate being told how to feel.”
“The nice thing about having a sister is that it’s never too late to make amends.”
I smile. “How do you know? You don’t have a sister.”
“You’re wrong. I have two.”
“You mean Serafina and me?”
“Of course. Even though we’re not blood, you two are my sisters. I suggest you talk with her. Otherwise, things might fester between you two.”
“I think you’re right.” I inhale deeply. “Help me up?”
Pia pulls me up, and I straighten out my wedding dress.
“I love the dress,” she tells me.
“I do, too. I think this is the one.” I walk out of the changing room and find Serafina sitting on a couch. Before she can say anything, I walk up to her and pull her into a hug.
“What’s this for?” she asks, her voice muffled against my shoulder.
“I love you,” I tell her. “I’m going to make the most of this situation I’m in. Just never tell me what I should feel again, deal?”
She pulls back, eyeing me over. “Ok. Deal. Sorry if I acted like a bitch.”
“I’m used to it.”
Her eyes widen before she laughs. “True. You are.” She nods at my dress. “I love it. It’s so you.”
