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“I’ll send you the address.”
I sent him a text with the address, anticipation singing through me.
“Are Orlando and Emilio with him?” Deidre asked.
“He didn’t say.”
When we pulled up to the restaurant, Marco and Antonio were waiting.
Deidre huffed a breath next to me. “He’s not here.”
“You’re going to end up locked in a tower,” I whispered.
“Only because I don’t have a younger sister to cover for me–” she unsnapped her seatbelt and climbed out of the car with me, “–or a secret friend to sneak me out of the house.”
For the first time, when it came to confiding in Deidre, fear flashed through me. She was too flippant with my secrets. I’d never betray Marco, nor would I ever risk Knox.
I rested my hand on her arm. “Careful, sister. We would both be in a lot of trouble if anyone were to find out about him.” I softened my gaze, pleading with my eyes. “You know what would happen to him,” I whispered. “And what that would do to me.”
She squeezed my fingers, skipped past me, and sidled up to Marco. His gaze roamed down my body, setting off tiny explosions of awareness. A light breeze caught my hair. I tucked the flyaway strands behind my ear and approached him.
“You’re drooling,” she said to Marco as I approached and stopped in front of him.
That was it. No more weed for Deidre.
Marco smiled at Deidre. “Maybe Orlando’s nickname for you is appropriate.”
“Next time, bring Lanny. I need entertainment.”
Weston remained next to the vehicle.
“Join us,” Marco said. He nodded and followed us.
We entered the Italian restaurant and were immediately shown to a large, hardwood table. Marco held my ladder-back, wrought-iron chair, and then sat next to me.
Weston held the chair to my right for my mom. He and Antonio positioned themselves with the wall at their back and in perfect view of the restaurant and entrances.
Deidre bounced around to the other side and sat next to Antonio. She immediately began to chat him up. I’d apologize later. I just prayed she kept to topics that wouldn’t get me into trouble.
“How was the fitting?” Marco asked just as I took a big gulp of water.
“Fine.” I nearly choked on the word.
“You won’t have to worry about saving room for the Holy Ghost when Father Josue marries you,” Deidre said. “The bottom is so big, you’ll be standing three feet away from her. And good luck finding her under all the tulle on your wedding night.”
Antonio laughed, and my mother glared at Deidre.
“What?” she asked with incredulity. “It’s true.”
Marco rested his arm along the back of my chair. “The dress will be beautiful.”
I raised a brow and took another gulp of water.
He leaned in and whispered to me. “You won’t be wearing it long.” His warm breath caressed my flesh and sent a rush of heat into my breasts. “I’ll ask the priest for a condensed ceremony.”
The server brought our salads.
My mother sprinkled pepper on her salad. “I knew the dress wasthe onethe moment I saw it. I had it on order a year ago. When Allegra saw it at her first sitting, she was speechless.” She plucked tiny bites of salad from the bowl.
