Page 31 of A Very Italian Wedding
11
ROSE
Rose stared at herself in the long mirror in her bedroom feeling nervous. She could hear soft music playing downstairs and checked her watch. The party had started ten minutes ago, but she wasn’t ready to leave the safety of her room yet. She’d spent the afternoon messaging Luna to no avail, napping and trying on her new wardrobe before getting ready in the glamorous blue dress and heels. There was a knock on her door and she went to open it, expecting to find Ben.
‘Luna,’ she gasped, pulling her into the room before taking a moment to study her. Her friend was dressed in a silky red dress and her white-blonde hair had been piled on top of her head and woven with tiny pearl beads. ‘You look beautiful,’ she gasped.
Luna’s eyes widened. ‘I spoke to Francesca yesterday.’ She looked down at Rose’s dress and grinned. ‘I knew she was a miracle worker. But…you’ve never looked more incredible. That style it just…’ She trailed off, clearly unable to find the right words, and Rose wasn’t sure she wanted her to. Didn’t want more words to define how different she looked.
‘Thank you,’ she said instead, checking herself again. ‘I’m not so sure about the sparkles. Do I look like Aurora?’
Luna chuckled softly. ‘You look like you – only.’ She cocked her head. ‘A way sexier version. If I didn’t know it would annoy you, I’d ask if you were dressing up for someone special?’
‘This has nothing to do with Ben,’ Rose grumbled.
Luna shrugged. ‘He’s very hot.’ She grinned.
Rose shook her head, choosing to ignore the comment. ‘What happened to you earlier?’
Luna’s forehead creased. ‘I’m sorry about that — and that I haven’t answered any of your texts. We left in such a rush I forgot my phone.’ Luna went to sit on the edge of Rose’s bed and bounced a little, her face a picture of happiness. ‘Then I had to sneak away from Marco while he was talking to one of the waitresses. He doesn’t want to let me out of his sight.’ Her eyes clouded. ‘He’s worried you’re going to try to talk me out of the wedding, or at least ask me to postpone it.’
Rose sighed and went to sit beside her, cursing Ben for talking to his friend because he’d complicated everything. Then again, she couldn’t really blame him; he was here to support Marco. They were just on differing sides. His loyalty to Marco was one of the things about him she couldn’t help but like.
‘I’m just concerned that you’re both rushing into things,’ she said.
‘I understand why.’ Luna nodded. ‘Your parents have hardly inspired confidence in quick marriages. In any marriages actually.’ She sighed. ‘It’s been a whirlwind, and I know you don’t believe in love at first sight, but he’s honestly the best person I’ve ever met. He’s kind and thoughtful, everything I ever wanted. You know I don’t make decisions lightly.’ Her expression turned dreamy. ‘But I want to marry him, Rose.’
Rose decided not to tell Luna that she’d said something similar the last time she’d met the love of her life. Just before she’d found out her fiancé was more interested in her fortune than her.
‘Can we at least talk about it a little? I could do my Love Doctor thing,’ she said, feigning a smile. ‘I’ll ask you both some questions, make sure you’ve thought everything through. Would it really be that awful to delay the wedding?’
‘You know it would.’ Luna frowned.
‘Because of the date?’ Rose checked. ‘Surely that’s just superstition. A marriage is either going to work or it isn’t. I don’t think matching up wedding days will stop it from being a disaster.’
Luna sighed again. ‘You know, I think we need to rename you the Doom Doctor,’ she teased.
Rose didn’t laugh. ‘I’m just looking out for you. I want to make sure you’re not making a mistake.’
‘I know.’ Her friend nodded. ‘But can we do this tomorrow? I’ll speak to Marco, convince him to at least sit down with you and talk. But for tonight, can we just enjoy my engagement party, and could you switch that clever brain of yours off and enjoy yourself for a change?’ She squeezed Rose’s hand. ‘I know why you’re worried and I love you for it, but just because your parents are –’ she winced, ‘– the way they are, and my last few partners have been less than ideal, that doesn’t mean this marriage isn’t going to work, or that Marco isn’t a good man. There are lots of wonderful people in the world and relationships do sometimes work out…’
Rose sighed. ‘I know,’ she said stiffly. ‘I’ve seen several successful ones.’ Had coached couples through plenty of difficult times. But at her core she still had her doubts. ‘Have you heard from your mum yet?’
Luna pulled a face. ‘She’s still waiting to get off the island. I’m trying not to get worried. Aurora told me she’ll definitely make it…’
‘Well, if anyone can, Deborah Kennedy can,’ Rose promised, feeling more in control because at least Luna had agreed tospeak to her now. She squeezed her friend’s hand just as there was a new knock on the door of her bedroom. She went to open it and wasn’t surprised when she found Marco and Ben on the other side.
When Marco saw his bride sitting on Rose’s bed, he paled. ‘Tesoro,’ he croaked, striding towards her. ‘I’ve been looking for you, I was worried.’
Luna stood and took his hand. ‘You didn’t need to be,’ she soothed. ‘I was just catching up with Rose. I said we’d sit down with her tomorrow so we can talk about the wedding, put her mind at rest.’ Her eyes shone with meaning.
‘Sì.’ Marco’s lips pinched and he gave Rose a concerned look. ‘But now we need to get downstairs. Our engagement party is about to start. People are beginning to arrive,cara.’ As he said the words, the volume of the music hitched up.
‘I just need to get Coco,’ Luna said excitedly as she headed for the door. ‘Aunt A’s been taking care of her for me all day.’
Marco nodded and Rose saw that pinch of his lips again as he glanced at her, his face filled with unease. He looked almost vulnerable and for a moment she was tempted to reassure him, but she wasn’t here to get involved emotionally.
All she wanted was for both of them to take a step back. To make sure they were making the right decision. She was used to asking tricky questions, to handling difficult situations – she could do this. No one had to get hurt. At least not for long.
