Page 43 of Beautiful Life

I decided to shut up about the furniture and just accept it because I didn’t need to think about what she meant by that. All I had to purchase was a mattress set and a small love seat, since that’s all that would fit into my tiny studio apartment. I made these purchases quickly and efficiently but more importantly, while Tony was at work. I didn’t need to be shopping for mattresses with Tony.

I got the keys to my new apartment a couple of days ago. It took Tony and Jude about forty-five seconds to move my stuff in, a somewhat depressing realization of how little I have. But my mattress and loveseat were delivered yesterday and my apartment is all ready for me.

Of course, I ended up in Tony’s bed again last night because he drove us straight here after the rehearsal dinner. I didn’t say boo about it because I was distracted and happy for my friend who is over the moon happy about getting married.

This is not a good sign of things to come. I mean, there isn’t even a dog in the picture yet. But I’m late. I jump out of bed pulling Tony’s t-shirt back over my head and am heading to the bathroom for a shower when Tony returns.

“I thought I told you not to move.” He’s standing in back of me at one of the sinks I’ve claimed in his master bathroom.

I don’t want to go back to me almost naked in his bed waiting for him so I ask, “Who was at the door?”

“The contractor.” He moves in close, fitting himself to my back. “He had a question about where I wanted the gates.”

I look up to him in the mirror. We both look tousled with sleep … and well … other things. But the difference between us is striking. His olive skin to my fair, light coloring. His almost black eyes to my green. And his thick, dark wavy hair to my very straight, very light blonde. His arm snakes around my middle and my hand instantly comes up to his. I look down at our skin, running my fingers over his hand and forearm.

I feel his lips at the back of my head. “Gem.”

My eyes go directly to his. They hold mine through the mirror and he gives me a squeeze. “I want this.”

I feel my brows gather. “This?”

“Us. But more.”

My voice dips. “What are you saying?”

I didn’t know it was possible, but he looks into my eyes even deeper, deep enough to reach my soul, when he goes on. “I want it all. I want you in every way I can have you, Leigh. I want you in my house, my bed. I want to give you a dog and a family. And once you’re officially mine, I want to give you babies—lots of them. I want to give you a full life, gem. You’re ready for it. It’s right in front of you. It’s time for you to reach out and grab hold.”

At his words, I feel my knees wobble. He pulls me in tighter and demands, “Look at me.”

Opening my eyes, he lets go and turns me. Gathering me up again, he fists my hair to tilt my head and I’m surprised my knees don’t buckle when he declares, “I will never hurt you and I will never leave you because I love you. And because I love you, I want you to be mine in every way.”

I feel my tears well. This is too much. I’ve never felt this way about anyone and I know I’ve held myself back, but if I let go I know I could love him forever. There’s so much to love. I’m scared to tell him I don’t know how he can love me. I’ve never had anyone love me. Not ever.

“Don’t say anything,” he goes on. “When you see this for what it is, you’ll see what I see. And when you do, you’ll want it as much as I want it. And I want it. More than I’ve ever wanted anything, gem. Anything,” he stresses his last word by tensing his fingers at my scalp, as if he needed to emphasize his feelings any more.

I decide not to say anything, mostly because I don’t know what to say and I’m afraid my heart will overpower my brain and tell him I love him, too. He kisses me before saying, “Take a shower, I’ll get you to Gabby’s but pack a bag, I reserved a cottage at the club tonight. We’re staying there.”

Without giving me a chance to say a word, not that I would have, he kisses me again while swiping my tears away with his thumbs and turns to leave his bathroom. I turn back to the mirror while trying to slow my heart.

There’s no way I can put this off to think about until tomorrow.

No way.

“Shit,” I whisper into the mirror.

*****

Leigh

I’ve never seen Gabby more beautiful. And Gabby’s always beautiful, so that’s saying something.

We’re standing in the Bride’s Room of the church with T minus fifteen to take off, at least that’s how Tony keeps referring to it. He’s hanging out with the women since he’s walking Gabby down the aisle. It’s been a busy day full of hair, makeup, nails, and last-minute details. Even though Gabby only had eight weeks to plan the wedding, she’s surprisingly calm and looks like she’s enjoying every minute. But she’s the queen of detail—I’m sure she’s confident everything will go off without a hitch. Plus, she has an army of Carpino women at her back to make sure her day is perfect.

Gabby’s dress is strapless and fits slim all the way to the floor where it bells into a medium length train. But what makes the dress fantastic are the Swarovski crystals cascading the entire gown. It fits her curvy figure like a glove and is as elegant as the bride wearing it. It’s absolutely perfect for her.

Her hair is in a loose up-do with tons of complicated twists and curls. Tucked in here and there are more little crystals, glimmering when caught by the light. Her makeup is a little heavier than normal, perfect for a formal evening wedding.

Reagan, Lilly, Paige, and I are attendants and our dresses are fantastic. I’m still thanking Gabby for not choosing strapless dresses for us. I don’t have the boobs for a strapless dress and I’d be tugging at it all night like I was in middle school. Even petite little Paige has way more curves than me. But Gabby thinks of everything, I’m sure she thought of that, too.

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