Page 6 of Without Bound
Our plates are set in front of us and servers come by to fill our glasses. I sit across from Cami and Vaughan who are squished between both sets of parents, and beside me is CeCe with Luca to her left.
I watch as wine glasses are filled. All except Cami’s…and CeCe’s. I knit my brows together and wait for Cami to catch my eye. When she does, I give her a little look that lets her know I see what’s happening, and she shakes her head tersely with a wide-eyed panicked look to her.
Next I turn to CeCe and ask, “Are they bringing you a red wine instead of the white?”
She clears her throat, her eyes doing that shifty thing that guilty people’s do, and replies, “I don’t really feel like having a glass, right now. I’m so thirsty and I really just want to chug a whole bunch of water. I’ll have a glass later.”
I nod slowly and tell her, “Okay. I’ll be sure to toast with you at the bar.”
She gives me a nervous chuckle and my gaze wanders over to Luca who sits with a smug smirk on his face. For now, I let it go and decided it’s best to just eat and enjoy a few moments with my friends before the party really gets started.
Throughout the dinner, speeches are made and many laughs are had. The girls give tear filled speeches that have everyone sniffing, and the guys –including myself– make jokes at Vaughan’s expense and while we try very hard to keep it PG for Dagen, more than a few inappropriate words sneak through.
Once meals are mostly done and plates are cleared, music plays while Cami and Vaughan begin making their rounds to tables to greet and thank guests. They stop at the table where Phoenix’s family sits and I keep my eyes glued to Anais who stands to hug them both.
Her body is wrapped in what looks like lavender satin, and the color is beautiful next to her smooth tan skin. The dress isn’t the type I’ve seen girls around campus wearing. Instead of one that sticks toher body so tightly that I can see her stomach processing the food she eats, the bottom part drapes over her hips and cascades around her thighs. There is a high slit in the skirt and the top cups her breasts so they look like they’re being served on a fucking platter, but it is much tamer than I would’ve thought a nineteen year old would wear.
Nineteen. Fuck. I need to look away, but my eyes have other plans. They roam down her body, cataloging the curve of her beautiful legs, down to her lavender painted toes and silver strappy heels. They take their time going back up her body and stop when they meet her eyes. The eyes that are staring directly at me.
She smiles and gives me a small wave, and I quickly look away, clenching my jaw and berating myself for even allowing a peek at her.
I pickup my glass of water and chug the rest of it down, then search for the server because I could use an entire gallon at the moment. But it’s not the server's eye I catch this time. Viv comes stomping over from the bar with a drink in her hand.
“Get the guys. We have an SOS meeting in the barn apartment,” she orders me, and hurries off without giving any further details.
I see her grab CeCe’s arm, then makes her way to Cat. She says something to her, then Cat goes off and takes Cami by the hand and leads them out of the tent.
Vaughan stands there speechless and I decide I better do as Viv says or face her wrath later. I’d rather face a firing squad than a pissed off Vivian.
I walk up behind Vaughan and tell him, “we’ve been summoned. Viv said to get the guys and meet in the barn apartment.”
I jerk my head in that direction and we walk to where it is. On the way we grab Hayes, Luca and Phoenix, and continue our walk in silence. Once we reach the apartment door it swings open, Viv all fiery, and we step in. The door slams shut, and we all jump.
“Cecilia,” Viv starts and holds out the glass to her. “Drink this.”
CeCe looks at Luca then the rest of us then says, “I’m not really up for drinking right now. Once the dancing starts I’ll have one.”
“It’s your favorite, though. A manhattan with two cherries. Justthe way you like.” She shakes the drink from side to side and a small bit sloshes over the side.
“Really, Viv. I don’t want it. Why are you being so pushy?” All eyes volley between the two of them, and I just know a fire is about to erupt.
“Why, you ask? Because you never turn down a drink and tonight, I have watched you turn down three. And earlier today when we were getting ready, you passed on the champagne, claiming you had a bit of a stomach ache. So my question is, which is it? Do you not want one, or is your stomach hurting?”
“I…I…,” CeCe looks frantically from one person to the other as if asking for help, but I kind of want to see where this line of questioning is going.
“Gattina,” Luca says, his voice low and tender. “Maybe it is time to tell them.”
CeCe gulps down a ball of what must be nerves, and finally gives Luca a small nod and defeated sigh.
“Cecilia and I are expecting,” Luca tells us as calmly as telling us the time, but us…we go ballistic.
We shout, we whoop, we pump fists in the air and a couple of us cry –not me this time. Vivian sets the glass down on the counter and leaps for CeCe. The little thing pops up on her toes and wraps her arms around her neck.
“You’re gonna be a mama,” she sobs into her shoulder.
CeCe gives us all a watery smile, and I look at Luca who stands with his hand smoothing circles over her back. While Cami takes her turn squeezing the life out of CeCe, I walk over to Luca and shake his hand.
“Congratulations, Luca. I know you both will be amazing parents.”
