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Why exactly had he agreed to come on this cruise? Oh, yes, it was his cousin’s wedding. And he loved his cousin. But still, wedding bells and his matchmaking grandmother were not a good match. He really should have given this more thought. Perhaps he could have flown in for the ceremony and had the helicopter wait for him after the reception. That would have been much better than enduring the entire trip.
Still, he did have the opportunity to get to know Stasia better. The thought brought another smile to his lips. She was a nice surprise on this ship. At least he had an ally on this voyage.
It was as though his thoughts of Stasia made her appear. She entered the passageway just ahead of him. This trip was definitely looking up.
“Hey, Stasia.”
She turned.
He rushed to catch up with her. “Did you make plans for dinner?”
Her forehead scrunched up. “Is this something I should check on my app?”
He chuckled. “I meant to say, do you want to have dinner with me? But if you don’t want to or you have other plans, that’s fine—”
“No. I mean no, I don’t have other plans, and yes, I’d enjoy having dinner with you.”
“Roberto! Roberto!”
He didn’t have to turn around to know the perky voice belonged to his cousin. If he had a sibling, he’d want them to be just like Gaia. She was so full of life that it bubbled out of her and spread to those around her.
Roberto paused in the passageway. Stasia stopped next to him and they both turned. His cousin rushed up to him with one of her great big warm smiles. And then she wrapped him in a big hug. He hoped her future husband realized how lucky he was to have Gaia in his life.
When Gaia pulled back, she was still smiling. “We kept missing each other yesterday and I was starting to wonder if you were really on the ship. But I’m glad you’re here.” It was then that her gaze moved to Stasia. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Remembering his manners, he said, “Gaia, I’d like you to meet Stasia Marinakos. Stasia, this is my cousin Gaia, the blushing bride.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Stasia said, holding a hand out to Gaia.
“We can do better than that.” Gaia hugged a surprised Stasia.
Roberto smiled as Stasia experienced the Gaia effect. When it came to making people feel comfortable and welcomed, his cousin knew how to do it. They may be opposites, but he couldn’t love her more if she were his sister.
When the two women parted, Stasia said, “Roberto told me about the wedding in Venice. Congratulations. I’m sure it will be absolutely beautiful.”
Gaia’s dark brows drew together. “You sound like you won’t be there.”
“I... I won’t be.”
Gaia’s puzzled gaze moved from Stasia to him and then back again. “Consider yourself invited. You will be Roberto’s plus-one.” Gaia’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it. “I’ve got to go. It was so good to meet you.” Gaia turned to him and mouthed, “She’s great.”
Without waiting for anyone to speak, Gaia took off down the passageway.
“What just happened?” Stasia’s eyes reflected her confusion.
“That was my cousin. She’s kind of like a force of nature.”
“But she thinks you and I...that we’re a couple. Why didn’t you correct her?”
He smiled. “Because she wouldn’t care what I said. She likes to come to her own conclusions. She’s a lot like our grandmother. She’ll figure out the truth eventually.”
“And the wedding?”
He paused. His cousin didn’t have such a bad idea after all. Weddings made him uncomfortable, especially when his family started asking when he was going to walk down the aisle. His answer was always the same—never.
“What do you think?” he asked. “Would you like to go to the wedding?”
Stasia immediately shook her head. “I couldn’t impose.”
“You wouldn’t be. My cousin is expecting you to be there.”
Stasia paused as though considering the idea. “I always did like weddings, and one in Venice has got to be beautiful.”
“Good. That’s settled.” He glanced at his phone and the growing number of emails in his inbox. “I have some work to do, but I’ll see you at dinnertime.”
