“You’re in a better mood,” I grumble while drinking water.
“Well, your dad’s made a good effort to show me and tell me where he stands. It’s a good thing.” She pokes my nose. “But no more details for you. We’re going to have to sit through a hellish wedding.”
I don’t even want to go to the ceremony. But I’ll go for the guys. Once it’s time, we go to the chairs and arch and help set up on the beach. My joy comes from the ominous clouds rolling in. I don’t want to hope for the wedding to be rained out, but I can’t stop being pissed at Bella.
Unfortunately, there’s no rain when Matthew walks down the aisle and he does look handsome. Crazy handsome. It’s almost weird that I think of him as an uncle despite my relationship with four of the groomsmen. Roman winks at me from his place until my dad elbows him.
When Bella comes down in a white mermaid dress, something hits me. Not about Bella, about Matthew. His smile, the love shining in his eyes despite everything last night. The way he covers his mouth because his smile is just too much.
Dad was right. I want this. I want that. And I want a baby. I want to travel. I want so many things in life. When I look at my guys, all I see is hope for that future. Roman doesn’t look once at Bella, his eyes are on me. Dark, hungry, but there’s something else there too.
I swallow and look at Nick. He rubs his side and gives me a subtle thumbs up. I bet he’d be an amazing dad. All four of them would be. Gunner refuses to look at Bella and just stares off while Holden sighs. Gunner will always keep things interesting. He gets bored easily. We can travel often, just by throwing darts at a map. And Holden, amazing, sweet, sure Holden … I sigh and feel a smile tug at my lips.
My mom elbows me. “Are you smiling for that cow?”
“Not her,” I murmur.
I basically ignore the vows until the I dos are said. The happy couple races down the aisle and then I realize I have to wait for any of my dates to join me until after pictures. I groan as we file into the reception hall.
My mother eyes the drinks, but I point at her. “No drinking until the guys get here. We agreed.”
“I know.” She rolls her eyes. “I know.” She groans. “But why? All we can do is wait around and ignore all these strangers.”
“You’re the one telling me to make friends.”
“You’re the one in her twenties.” She grumbles.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. Way too many minutes later, arms wrap around me. “Baciami Bambina.”
I turn and kiss Roman, knowing those words easily. He sighs and nuzzles my neck before looking at my mother. She gives an evil smile. “Which one of you are going to make my daughter an honest woman?”
I feel my cheeks heat. “Mom.”
“We’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.” Gunner grumbles. “I need a drink.”
“Funny, so do I. Maybe you can keep me company until my date gets here.”
“Mom!”
“Oh come on. You have four. You can spare one … temporarily.”
Gunner winks at me and I relax into Roman’s arms. She can say what she wants. I’m leaving with all of them.