Page 114 of Where Wild Hearts Dance
“Go back to your family, Federico,” I say, smiling.
“You sure you don’t want to come with me?” he asks, but the conviction in those hopeful words doesn’t appear.
“I don’t belong in your world anymore, Fed. And you don’t belong in mine.” I stroke my palm down the side of his face, remembering our friendship and how much it once meant to me.
“I do love you, Fed. I will always love you. But only as a friend. And that’s the honest truth.”
He closes his eyes and nods, sadly.
“Please give my love to your parents. I miss them.” A memory of Mrs. Falconi warms my chest. “Especially your mom.”
His eyes crack open a fraction and I see tears brimming in the corners. “She misses you too. She’ll be pleased to hear you’re happy.”
“I am happy.” I stand and let my hand fall back to my side. “And you will be too, Fed. I promise.”
I turn around and walk back to the door.
“Tess?”
His fractured tone makes me pause. “Yes?”
“Would you have loved me ifhehadn’t walked into your life?”
I take a sobering breath before I reply. “No, Federico. And he didn’t just walk into my life. Heismy life.”
And with that, I open the door and step outside, the air feeling easier to breathe than it has in years.
Contessa
It’s the day of the wedding and I’m running late. At least today I know my way around all the rooms and corridors. I make a beeline for the room where the wedding party is gathered.
“Oh my God! There you are!” Trilby’s gasp of relief echoes around the small room. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
I ignore Allegra’s scowl and run up to Trilby. “I’m so, so sorry, Tril. I really am.”
After clasping her hands, I stand back and take her in. She’s wearing a forties-style gown with a slash neckline, fitted at the waist and falling to the floor in a delicate train. The back is so low it only just graces the top of her butt cheeks, and it is covered entirely in pearl sequins. It is perfect.
“Oh my word, Trilby. You look stunning.”
She smiles and twirls in front of the floor length mirror.
“Way better than the last one,” Bambi says, then snaps her mouth shut when we all spin around and glare at her. She shrugs dramatically. “Well, it is.”
“That was a beautiful dress, too,” Sera says, diplomatically. “But this one is better.”
“Cristiano saw me in my last one, so it would have been bad luck anyway,” Trilby says, unable to stop smiling at her reflection.
We all nod in agreement and I wipe a tear from my cheek.
The door opens and Papa walks in, then stops abruptly. His eyes take in the four of us and he doesn’t say a word.
“Tony—” Allegra hiccups loudly and rushes to his side. “Your girls?—”
It’s the first time I haveeverseen our aunt speechless.
Papa sniffs and swallows. “Beautiful,” he whispers. “You all look so…beautiful.”
He swallows again and seems to struggle for the words. “Your ma?—”
