Page 51 of When Love Gives You Lemons
Nonna turns and winks, then tells Sienna to mind her business. “You have your man; let an old lady live.”
Niccolò laughs. “I like this one.”
“You can keep her,” Zia Gab yells. “Wait, no, I’m single. Take me!” She pushes Zia Rosa and Ma out of the way like we’re at a cutthroat rose ceremony inThe Bachelor.
“I propose with a lemon?” Niccolò bows.
Ma, Zia Gab, and Zia Rosa audibly swoon.
“But my wife might have words,” Niccolò says. “We’re going to have fun today! Andiamo! Before we head on up, I’ll take the tickets, per favore.”
One by one, we all rummage through our scrolls and hand over our personalized, embossed tickets to the Avello FamilyLemon Groves. Niccolò counts each ticket, then counts the number of heads, and cross-references the ones that are printed with each person’s name and the list he was given.
Everyone hands theirs over, except Cam. Who scrambles through his collection of papers, rummaging through the pockets of his skinny jeans, bag, and, for good measure, searching the ground like a cartoon character in dramatic fashion as if it dropped.
“It’s not here,” Cam says. “I don’t think I got one.”
I swear, dear reader, everybody held their breath at once. Except Nonna, who sucked at the roof of her mouth and shook her head.
Topher steps in to bargain. “It’s not a big deal, right? I can buy another for Cam.”
Cam steps forward. “You know what, it’s fine. I’m not feeling particularly welcome today. First the tailor, now this. If it’s all right, I’d rather go back to the villa and relax by the pool. I’m not feeling so well after Fielder—”
Heads turn to look at me.
After a few awkward beats, he says, “The Vespa accident. Shook me up.” I can’t explain it, but I know he’s alluding to me catching him potentially cheating on Ricky, and now his comment about Ricky keeping me on a pedestal and that I’m a great guy all feel icky as hell. “I’m exhausted and it’s been a lot. I—don’t feel welcome.” Cam grabs Ricky’s hand. “Babe?”
Nobody says anything or knows how to respond.
“Ineedyou here,” Sienna says to Ricky. “You can’t leave.”
“I have to stay.” Ricky’s voice is fragile.
Cam’s nostrils flare, but he nods in agreement.
“Cam, you should stay, son,” Riccardo Sr. says, his voice stern.
Cam offers a smile. “I appreciate it, sir. But I’ll pass. You all have thebesttime.”
“We will. Take the villa’s cart back.” Riccardo Sr. nods toward the carts that Topher paid to have waiting for us later, not attempting to bargain. He turns his back immediately and says loud enough for everyone to hear, “I won’t let anyone ruin my baby girl’s day. Let’s get this show on the road, shall we? Andiamo.”
“That was weird,” Trav says, clutching Jenni Lee. I nearly forgot they were here. They’ve been sucking each other’s faces quietly in the background.
“Gays are so dramatic,am I right?” Jenni Lee says. “Like, right on cue!”
I turn to glare at her.Did she really?
Monroe leans in and whispers, “Problematic Jenni Lee strikes again.” She clears her throat. “Not cool, JL. Not cool.”
Jenni Lee waves Monroe away.
“Don’t feed the trolls,” Benny says. “Can we allpleasebe done with the dramatics for today.” He rubs his belly. “I’m hangry. All the wedding hysterics and rom-com operationals have gotten to me. I’vehadit.”
“Andiamo,” Niccolò says, waving the Lemon-DeLuca clan into the groves.
Chapter 13
If You Love Someone, Say It Right Then, Out Loud
