Page 36 of A Very Italian Wedding
‘I know.’ He pulled a face. ‘She was very insistent that it was picked up today.’
‘Why?’ She challenged.
‘I said the same thing to Marco. Isabella’s superstitious. It’s a Wednesday and that’s important, apparently,’ Ben explained truthfully. ‘It’s got something to do with harnessing the best luck.’ His friend had used the word ‘magic’, but Ben wasn’t going to tell that to Rose. He wanted her company, although he wasn’t sure why. ‘Marco explained it to me,’ he said. ‘But I was too tired to take much of it in.’ He swiped a hand across his face and squeezed the bridge of his nose. ‘He asked if we’d do it for him as a special favour.’
‘If it’s so important, why can’t he do it?’ Rose narrowed her eyes.
Ben pulled a face. ‘Marco and Luna have to have their ring fingers sized this morning. If they don’t, there will be no rings.’
He watched the thoughts flicker across Rose’s face and wondered if she was processing what the implications of that might be. Would she refuse to come with him in an attempt to sabotage the rings and the nuptials? He felt his breath catch in his throat as he waited for her response, expecting to be disappointed in her; hoping he wouldn’t be. Which made little sense. ‘Fine. But why doIneed to go?’ she asked eventually.
‘It’s complicated.’ When she stared him down, Ben let out a long breath. ‘The gift needs two people – a man and a woman – to transport it here.’ She opened her mouth to speak, and he held up a palm. ‘Again, blame superstition, not me. Isabella is convinced it’s important that we both do it. To give it the most—’ He shut his eyes for a moment, trying to work out the best way to explain. ‘Potency.’
Rose sucked in a breath and motioned that Ben should step inside the bedroom. He followed her tentatively, breathing in her perfume, which was fresh with strawberry notes. Usually, he knew all the popular fragrances. It was one of his party tricks – guessing what women were wearing, getting close enough to see the flutter of pulse at the base of their neck as he identified itsname. But he couldn’t seem to get his tongue to move from the roof of his mouth and his brain was barely functioning – which meant he had no chance of guessing the brand.
‘Are you okay?’ Rose asked, reading his confusion.
Ben swiped a hand across his brow. ‘It smells like strawberries,’ he murmured, feeling stupid. ‘In here, I like it.’ Now he sounded like an idiot.
Rose raised an eyebrow. ‘Thank you,’ she said, going to move the sheets over her bed as if she didn’t want him to see it unmade. Then she turned and folded her arms. ‘What are we picking up exactly?’
Ben began to pace the room. ‘You’re not going to like it,’ he said. He’d toyed with the idea of making something up but didn’t feel good about that. If Rose found out he’d been lying again, she’d probably never forgive him. Besides, she’d find out as soon as they reached their destination. ‘If I tell you, will you keep an open mind?’
She frowned at him. ‘I’m all about an open mind,’ she said flatly. ‘I’ve spent the last couple of days with Aurora and I’m still here.’
‘True.’ He stopped pacing. ‘There’s a fertility symbol. A statue that Isabella wants us to collect so she can give it to Luna and Marco for their wedding gift. I know she’s not on board with the marriage, but she’s keen to have great grandchildren.’
Rose snorted. ‘And her gift will somehow guarantee they have thebambinieveryone’s clearly craving?’ she asked dryly. ‘The Marinos do understand that Luna is a businesswoman, don’t they? She may not want to have children yet. She may not ever want them.’
Ben winced. ‘No one is going to try to force Marco or Luna into doing anything they don’t want to do, but of course Marco is keen his family are happy. Think of it as a placebo – a way to keep Isabella off their backs. I know you’re not totally happyabout the wedding, but if Luna wants to go ahead, we want it to go well.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s not going to hurt and it’s kind of our duty.’ He paused, aiming for maximum effect. ‘I am the best man – and you are the maid of honour. We’re all about helping things to run smoothly.’
‘That’s a low blow,’ she muttered, but Ben could see lines etching their way across her forehead – guessed she was softening to the idea. ‘Okay, now I understand what we’re picking up and why we need to go today.’ She blinked. ‘But why so early?’
‘It’s a long drive,’ he said, yawning and stretching as a wave of tiredness hit him. ‘About three hours each way and it’s going to get hot and the roads will be busy. If we leave now, we should be back by mid-afternoon. Which is important because you’ve got an appointment to help makebomboniereearly this evening and you can’t miss that.’
‘I can’t?’ Rose asked, her eyes widening. ‘What does it involve, exactly?’ She sounded suspicious.
‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing you can’t handle.’ He smiled. ‘It’s an Italian tradition, making wedding favours. I’m sure Luna will fill you in when you get the chance to speak.’ If Marco allowed them to get within a mile of each other. ‘The women have a party planned.’
‘Luna didn’t mention it,’ Rose said, frowning.
Ben shrugged. Her constant doubts were becoming wearing. The fact that she didn’t trust him was— He shook his head. He shouldn’t care about that.
‘I don’t think she knew about it herself until late last night, and I’m not sure if you even had time to talk,’ he said. ‘Things are moving fast, there’s a lot for the family to organise and not much time.’
Rose frowned. ‘Deborah. Luna’s mother still isn’t here,’ she said. ‘She’s not going to be able to be a part of any of this and I know she’d want to be.’
Ben didn’t respond – what was he supposed to say? But Rose looked disappointed, and he felt something knot in his chest. Why was her happiness suddenly so important to him?
‘Family matters to her,’ she added.
Ben nodded. ‘I understand that. It’s important to Marco too. That’s why he wants hisnonnato be happy. At least about this.’ Also, his friend hoped it might stop her from encouraging them to not get married. The promise of a great-grandchild might placate the older woman. Not that Marco had any particular plans in that direction, but he wanted the wedding to go ahead without any more negativity.
Rose sighed. ‘Fine,’ she muttered, looking annoyed. ‘And it’s a fair point. I suppose I’m going to have to say yes.’ She moved to the window and pushed open the shutters to reveal bright orange light from the early morning sun which bathed her, lighting up the red pyjamas and making Ben flex his fingers. ‘Does Isabella live there?’ She pointed to the two houses behind the swimming pool and Ben went to stand beside her so he could see where she was indicating. He nodded, trying not to breathe in the scent of strawberries.
‘Do you know who lives in the other house?’ she asked.
‘Cesare Marino. Marco’sNonno– his grandad.’
