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“That’s debatable,” she said.
I dug in my pocket and pulled out the black velvet box I’d picked up from the jewelers after coming here. When Celine opened it, her eyes sparkled.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“You’rebeautiful.”
Tears sprung to her eyes. I’d never seen her emotional like this.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
I pulled her closer to me, and this time the hug was gentle, sweet. She buried her face in my neck, and we stood melded together.
Finally, she pulled back and shook her hair, swallowing her emotions until she wore her poker face again.
“Do you want to come in?” she asked.
“Is your brother going to kill me?”
“Let’s find out.”
I chuckled. Celine took my hand and led me through the front door.
“Do you want to tell me what that hiking backpack was for?” I asked.
“Oh,” she said, “you’re not going to believe this.”
31
CELINE
ThetriptoNuvoleVineyard was a beautiful one. Napa was beautiful, with rolling hills and vineyards, and the weather was only blue sky and sunshine. It was nothing like the storms Lorenzo and I had endured, physically and emotionally.
There was always a rainbow after a storm, right? I glanced at Lorenzo.
“They’re going to love you,” Lorenzo said when we sat in the car that took us there. He glanced out of the window, looking nervous.
“Obviously,” I said, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “Why are you so nervous about it? You’ve said it so many times it makes me wonder if that’s true.”
“It is true,” Lorenzo said quickly. “It’s just…”
“What?” I asked, confused. “Is something wrong?”
Lorenzo shook his head. “Nothing is wrong. I guess I’m just nervous because you’re the first girl I’ve ever brought home.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“I’ve never been serious enough about anyone to introduce them to my aunt and uncle. Eventually, we’re going to go to Italy too, and that will probably be more nerve-racking.”
“You’ve never been serious enough about someone to bring them home?” I said.
Lorenzo smiled at me.
I didn’t know why that meant so much to me. He’d told me time and again that he’d never felt about anyone the way he’d felt about me, but hearing those words and putting the facts together were two different things.
My dad had met all the guys I’d dated—or pseudo-dated—because he’d been the one who’d arranged the whole thing. He knew Lorenzo, so bringing him home hadn’t been the same for me as it was for him now, but if I had to compare the two… Lorenzo was the first guy I’d brought home, too.
“So, what did your dad say about the whole engagement?” Lorenzo asked.
