Page 70 of A Very Italian Wedding
Leonardo had filled the sunny garden with rows of white chairs too, ready for guests, and they were slowly filling up with family and friends. A low buzz of excited voices overlapped in the warm fragrant air.
‘Are you worried Luna won’t turn up?’ Ben asked as his eyes glued themselves to the villa and refused to budge just in case he caught a glimpse of Rose.
‘No, but—’ Marco paused. ‘I’m sorry, is this bringing back bad memories? I didn’t even think.’ He sounded horrified.
‘It’s okay. I hardly remember that day now.’ Ben turned and took in his friend properly. Marco was dressed in a cream suit, light blue shirt and a patterned tie which Francesca had picked out for the wedding. He looked handsome and concerned. ‘You never asked me what made Luna change her mind,’ Marco said thoughtfully. ‘Why is that?’
Ben shrugged. His friend had burst into his bedroom late last night and gleefully informed him that the wedding was back on before disappearing into the bosom of his rejoicing family. Ben had meant to go and join them to find out more, but he’d been too heartsick. He couldn’t bear putting a dampener on the celebrations so had decided to stay away.
‘I…’ He couldn’t think of an excuse. A reason that didn’t include,I’m happy for you but talking about your wedding just makes me realise what a mess I’ve made of my own life.
‘It was Rose. The wedding’s back on because of her,’ Marco said, watching Ben’s face as he absorbed the blow.
‘What do you mean?’ he asked, confused. ‘She told me the wedding was off, that you and Luna were all wrong for each other.’ That Ben was all wrong for her too – or maybe it had been the other way around? It didn’t really matter now. His heart was starting to ice over again – or at least it would once he was backin Bristol. Then this whole thing would feel like a bad memory. In time, he’d forget all about Rose. At least he hoped so…
‘This isallbecause of her,’ Marco said passionately, waving a hand at the aisle. ‘She convinced Luna to forgive me, encouraged her mother to fly to Pisa this morning.’ His attention strayed to the rows of chairs. ‘Deborah’s in a taxi now, she should arrive any minute. I can’t wait to meet her.’
‘Did Luna’s mum find the necklace then?’ Ben asked, surprised. He’d been led to believe it was hopeless.
‘No.’ Marco shook his head. ‘Rose drove herself to Montotta and brought a replacement for Luna to wear.’
‘Hang on…Rose did what?’ Ben’s heartbeat skipped up and he turned to gape at the villa as if expecting her to appear and explain. ‘But she’s terrified of being in a car. Was she alone?’ Or had she taken someone with her? He ignored the hit of jealously that it hadn’t been him, as he imagined how frightened she would have been. Trying not to think about all the things that might have happened. What if she’d had an accident again? Just the idea of her getting hurt made his body go cold.
‘Apparently, Coco went with her,’ Marco told him, arching an eyebrow.
‘Coco?’ Ben choked. ‘The demon from hell who hates her?’ Had she gone mad?
‘I know.’ Marco shrugged. ‘Aurora saw them just before Rose headed off. Told me she drove there and back by herself. She returned last night with an antique necklace and spoke to Luna. Told her she’d made a mistake.’
Marco paused. ‘Apparently, Rose said I was an idiot – which is true.’ He shrugged nonchalantly. ‘But she told Luna that I loved her and she should give me another chance.’ He let out a puff of air. ‘Luckily, Luna did.’
Ben’s head was spinning, and he felt sick as his mind began to mull all the terrible things he’d said to Rose yesterday. Allthose awful accusations had obviously driven her to prove him wrong. What did it mean that she had? Did it mean she cared about what he thought?
His jaw dropped when he suddenly spotted Isabella and Cesare making their way towards them across the lawn, holding hands. ‘Am I dreaming?’ he rasped.
He must be. None of this could be happening. He’d clearly wandered into a parallel universe, powered by Disney.
‘No.’ Marco chuckled. ‘That was your Rose too.’
HisRose.His.
The words beat a tattoo in Ben’s mind, branding themselves through to his insides. Roseshouldbe his. Would be if he hadn’t messed everything up.
‘She somehow gotNonnoto convinceNonnato look at the olive tree, then she got him to give up his phone because, apparently, that’s what’s been wrong all along,’ Marco marvelled. ‘Who knew?’
‘She did…?’ Ben shook his head feeling desolate. Rose had done all that to fix her best friend’s wedding after he’d told her she didn’t believe in love.
He should have been more understanding, instead he’d criticised her and left. He knew about her parents – he should have understood what drove her, why she found it so difficult to trust. She’d only ever had Luna’s best interests at heart. Instead, he’d been like an open wound, desperate to protect himself by pushing her away.
‘I need to speak to her. To apologise,’ he said urgently, swinging his gaze back across the lawn and taking in the new guests who’d arrived and were now waiting for the wedding to begin. In the front row, Francesca waved at him and mouthed that he lookedmagnifico. ‘Where is she?’ he asked.
‘She’s with Luna. They’re getting ready, so you can’t talk to her yet,’ Marco said, reaching out and patting him onthe shoulder. ‘You should relax. Everything’s okay. If Luna’s forgiven me, I’m sure Rose will do the same for you.’
‘I doubt it,’ Ben said, his voice as dry as brick dust. How could she?
Marco shrugged. ‘Stranger things have happened. Besides, she’s a Love Doctor – if she can’t forgive the man she cares for, who can?’
‘I wish that were true,’ he muttered, thinking about all her rigid rules.
