Page 116 of The Wedding Crush

“Far be it from me to judge you, but…after only a few measly months?” He blows out a stressed breath. “I don’t know. Sounds risky. Maybe you two should consider the benefits of giving yourselves the necessary time to embrace yourunion.” He drags out the word.

We finally pull apart. Mostly, because we’re laughing so hard we can’t breathe, here at brotherly comedy hour.

Stefano is all beaming white smile as he gets a taste of his own medicine. His only option is to join him. “We’re in a relationship,” he says in a high-pitched, nasally tone, I’m guessing imitating Dante’s response in this hilarious quarrel rewind.

Dante shrugs. “Semantics.”

This time, I don’t mind eating my words.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Stefano

The afternoon ofthe wedding, I’m a little on the tipsy side.

Nerves.

Not because of my brother’s impending nuptials. No, more than ever, I now understand his rush down the aisle. Heck, I’d be right there with him today if I thought that’s what Avery wanted. Funny enough, the past two weeks I’ve seen some major milestones in my life. I’ve professed my undying love, proposed marriage, and discovered I’m fathering a child, yet I’m cool as a cucumber about those things.

It’s the entrance dance.

I manage a major conglomerate of companies. I run board meetings with billionaires and high-profile clients. How have I developed stage fright over a pairs entrance dance in front of a mere fifty-two people?

To say it’s ridiculous is an understatement.

Mother Nature is working her magic. It’s the last day of September, and the sun is low in a picturesque, summery, bright aqua blue sky. It’s warm and cozy. The main lawn is set up with chairs and a rustic wooden arch draped in lavender and white flowers, and baby’s breath.Freaking baby’s breath!

To boot, the entire scene overlooks the vineyard’s panoramic view of Napa Valley’s lush landscape and mountainous horizons worth celebrating.

That’s not even the half of it.

Business-wise, today is a huge deal for our vineyard and winery. Major bridal magazine correspondents are here to features us.Lifestyles of the Rich and Weddedis filming an episode. Our lodging partners are booked, winery subscriptions are up, and our wedding packages are selling out.

Everything is falling into place, and all I can focus on are the four eight-counts I’ve got to pull off to make it to the end of the aisle.

I don’t want to embarrass Avery.

Shit.

Behind us, the deejay whispers to Marcello and Monica, “You’re up,” amplifying my mounting panic.

Showtime.

A minute later, the upbeat chorus of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” spring into the air. Sparkly lavender bridesmaid dress and all, Monica struts to the center of the aisle like it’s a catwalk.

The guests jolt to their feet, swaying, clapping, and singing along.

I’ve got to say, Monica’s twerking game is wildly accurate. A fact Marcello clearly appreciates as he licks his lips. He’s all shoulders and swerving head movements as he circles her, nodding to the beat.

By the time, he takes her hand, and they split the arch, the music changes.

Mike and Seneca take us back with Donna Summer’s “Last Dance,” straight Seventies mode. Beyond her long, thick natural hair cascading down her back, their tactic is limited to playing the crowd. No match for Monica’s strut-twerk, I think, when Avery nudges me with her shoulder.

“Almost ready to show them how to do this?” Avery smiles up at me. I’m lost in her sparkly brown eyes widening with amusement.

I’m sure she can tell I’m nervous.

She sees me.

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