Page 76 of Saddle and Bound

Maria continues to try on dresses, but our attention is divided between her and my increasingly detailed account.

"So," says Val with a grin, "does the cowboy know how to use his... lasso?"

I burst out laughing, almost choking on the champagne. "Val! You're terrible!"

"Oh, come on!" Lexy interjects. "I bet he rides very well."

At this point, we're laughing so hard that some customers look at us scandalized. Maria comes out of the dressing room with another dress, but we're too caught up in our hysteria to notice her right away.

"Girls?" Maria calls, trying to get our attention. "What do you think of this one?"

We all turn to her, trying to compose ourselves. Maria looks stunning in a mermaid dress that perfectly accentuates her figure.

"Wow," Lexy manages to say between sniffles of laughter. "You're... hic... gorgeous!"

"Yes," I agree, wiping away tears of laughter. "Dad will be left breathless."

But we all turn to Ethan. He has the final word. Our tacit agreement is that we trust his good taste and opinion.

He's already crying and runs to hug Maria.

No words are needed at this point.

Val gets up, with her classic contagious smile. "We have to toast to this!" she exclaims, grabbing a new bottle of champagne.

The sales assistant looks at us with a mix of amusement and concern as we refill the glasses.

"To the perfect dress!" shouts Lexy.

"And to cowboys who know how to use the lasso!" adds Val with a mischievous wink.

We all burst out laughing again, including Maria, who, despite not having drunk, seems to be infected by our euphoria... and amused by our conversations. She's fantastic, and I don't have a hard time imagining where the girls get their temperament. I know nothing about Val and Lexy's father... but they definitely have Maria's spirit.

In that moment, despite the champagne and raucous laughter, I feel a deep wave of affection for these women. For Maria, who is about to become part of my family. For my friends, who are always by my side. And for myself, for finally opening my heart to love.

Obviously for Ethan as well. My very first friend. The one who's had my back for years and continues to do so. The brother I never had.

"One last toast," I propose, raising my almost-empty glass. "To family, in all its forms."

"To family," they all repeat, and in that moment, surrounded by laughter and affection, I truly feel at home.

?

After finally finding the perfect dress for Maria, we leave the bridal shop, still laughing and slightly swaying.

"Okay," says Val, clinging to my arm to keep her balance, "we can't end the day here. It's too early!"

"I agree!" exclaims Lexy. "How about we go for an aperitif? I know a great place nearby."

As soon as we sit down, a waiter approaches with the menus. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Before Maria can suggest something non-alcoholic, Lexy intervenes: "A bottle of your finest prosecco, please!"

The aperitif quickly turns into another session of laughter and banter. The prosecco flows freely, and with it our inhibitions continue to lower. And the food... it's delicious. I've never eaten such a large quantity of olives, mini pizzas, meatballs, and rustici (or as I've learned, as a perfect local resident: olive, pizzette, polpette e rustici). This is my first Italian aperitif since I've been here... and I'm already obsessed.

"So, Rosie," says Lexy, leaning on the table with a mischievous smile, "have you already thought about what your wedding to the cowboy will be like?"

I almost choke on the bite I was eating. "Lexy! Alex and I are just starting to..."

---