Page 151 of Flawed

We travel several blocks, and the driver veers onto the expressway. He cuts someone off, and horns blare. Luca barks, "Stop driving like a maniac. My family is here."

Zara beams brighter.

My heart swoons again.

I'm doomed.

Both of us are forever doomed. There's no way to stop loving Luca once you know him.

Zara chats the entire way. Luca tries to pull me into the conversation, but Zara keeps redirecting me out of it. When we get to our destination, I'm relieved.

Luca escorts us to the bridal suite.

Zara shrieks, "Aunt Pina!" She throws her arms around her.

Pina laughs and hugs her tight. "Ready for your hair and makeup?"

"Duh," Zara chirps.

Pina points to the vanity and the team of professionals standing near it. "They're waiting for you."

Zara claps and then sits on the bench. "See you later, Dad."

"Dad?" Pina utters, but only I can hear. She shoots daggers at Luca.

"Be nice," I quietly warn.

Pina arrived unannounced after the rehearsal dinner. We stayed up for hours. I told her everything, including the parts I left out when I told my parents and Zara. For some reason, it didn't seem necessary to explain Luca's and my relationship over the years to them.

I felt so guilty for ruining her big day by causing such a big scene. I apologized dozens of times.

Pina laughed it off, stating, "At least I have the rehearsal dinner no one will ever forget about."

That comment only made me groan with further embarrassment. But I was relieved she wasn't angry with me. However, no matter how much I told her not to be angry at Luca, she wouldn't let him off the hook.

And I guess that's why she's my best friend. She's always had my back. I feel like nobody else does right now, so I'm extra grateful for her.

Luca announces he's leaving, gives me another panty-melting once-over, then leaves.

Once he's out of the room, I relax a bit.

Throughout the morning, we get our hair and makeup done, then put on our bridesmaid dresses. Yet, it's clear that Zara still hasn't forgiven me.

She barely looks at me and doesn't engage in any conversation unless I specifically ask her a question. She's chipper with everyone else, and it doesn't go unnoticed.

Pina finally pulls her aside and claims, "Hey, it's my wedding. So you have to do what I say today."

Zara puts her hand on her hip, whining, "Really? Are you going to make me do something crazy?"

"Nope. But you have to do whatever I want," Pina reiterates.

Zara shrugs. "Okay, but someday, when it's my wedding day, I'm going to make you do what I want."

"Deal," Pina agrees.

"So, what do you want me to do for you?" Zara asks.

Pina leans forward and murmurs something in her ear.

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