Page 52 of Hat Trick
I sigh. All I can give her is the truth. "I have no angle; I have not done anything. If anything, I've fought our relationship every step of the way. But I love your son. And I believe he loves me. And we'reboth foolish enough to think that that's enough in this life." I hang my head in a little bit of shame. I know it's not that easy. 'Love conquers all' is a silly notion. And it's the first time I've said it out loud, but yeah, I love Luca. I've doubted him, us, every step of the way, but I love this man.
Silence settles between Alice and I, while other members of the wedding float and chat behind us, helping themselves tohors d'oeuvresand drinks.
Suddenly, Alice wraps her hand over top of mine on the tabletop. My gaze shoots up, surprised.
"I believe you, dear."
I look up in shock. "You do?"
"Yes. If you really did have an agenda, you'd be sitting here trying to convince me why you love my son, or at least that you didn't need the money. You look positively miserable that I don't approve. That's not the reaction of someone who's using my son. And you're not even wearing a ring."
I let out a strangled chuckle and look at the back of my left hand. "No. We're not, but today Luca wanted to play make believe. I think he would propose if it were possible, but it's not."
She nods as if she understands, but I go on. "A few of his cousins were teasing about him being a playboy and I got defensive. Luca and I are together, but he calls me his future wife all the time and I told them that. They misinterpreted it to mean we were engaged, and Luca just went along with the mistake."
Her blue eyes consider me. Blue eyes, just like the ones I stare into all the time.
"You care for him. You protect him."
"I do. He's one of the best men I've ever met. He's kind, and considerate, funny and flirty, and so very misunderstood."
"But you understand him?" It's a question, but it's not really. She already knows the answer. She squeezes my hand in hers.
"I'm so glad I got to meet you, Emily. I think you'll be good for him."
Embarrassment sweeps over me.
"I'm sorry for the drama."
She waves a dismissive hand. "Think nothing of it. It's a wedding, there's bound to be drama." I smile, lightened by her easiness. Just then a rough hand wraps around the back of my neck and Luca plants a chaste kiss on my temple.
"Get everything sorted out?" he asks, staring down at me with adoration.
Luca's dad looks slightly more relaxed as he regains his chair next to Alice. "Yes, dear, now you young people go dance before the reception ends," she says, smiling broadly at us and shooing us away.
Luca holds his hand out and I take it, letting him lead me to the dance floor. He spins me into his chest and wraps his arms around my lower back. I raise my arms and clasp my hands around the back of his neck.
"Well, you sure know how to make an entrance," I chide. "They almost hated me before they even got a chance to know me." Luca simply shoots me that easy grin I've come to love so much.
"Nah, they know I'm a jokester. I explained it all to Dad and he gave me shit for scaring them, but then was relieved. I'm actually sorry I haven't introduced you before today. We'll have to have them over for dinner sometime, so they can properly get to know you."
I nod, my shoulders relaxing as I let Luca sway us with the music of 'Amazed' by Lonestar. He leans down, pressing his cheek against mine and croons some of the lyrics.
"Every time our eyes meet
This feelin' inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
