“I’m sorry, Father. My mind has been preoccupied with wedding details.” Not a lie. Sex is part of the details.
“He asked what it was that made you fall in love with me, especially since no one ever expected you to fall.”
Che cazzo. I am not prepared for that question.
Gia squeezes my hand. “I’ll go first since my husband-to-be is a man of few words.”
I never thought I’d be so grateful for her bubbly disposition.
Father Paul Michael chuckles. “Many do say he’s a tough man to get to know. That you worked your way to his heart in such a short amount of time speaks to the volume of your love.”
“Oh, he didn’t win me over that fast. He’s obstinate, stubborn, bossy, and moody.”
I can’t argue with her about most. “I’m not moody.”
“That’s true.” She kisses my knuckles and this time it does go straight to my cock. “You’re in one constant mood. Grumpy.”
Again, she has the priest laughing. “Rocco, you have met your match.”
The only reason I’m quiet is because if I speak, she’ll know she got the best of me, and I’m afraid to ruin the make-believe Father has fallen for.
“With that being said, he’s also loyal to those he cares about, honest, and giving. He gave me a second shot at life. Before I met Rocco, I’d been...running from the monsters that have haunted me nearly all my life. You could say he’s my knight and shining armor, coming to slay the dragon.”
Well, fuck. She doesn’t need to do that. I’m no hero and I’m not slaying her demons.
“Rocco, it sounds like you’ve turned your life around. Tell me what it is about Gia that made you decide on marriage.”
I stare at our joined hands, her palms sweaty in mine. Or is it my hand that is sweating? She avoids my gaze and keeps her focus on the window behind Father Paul Michael. I watch her neck move as she swallows.
“All it took was one look and I knew I needed to make her mine. She may think I saved her, but she’s the answer to my...dreams.”
I can’t say more without lying...or revealing too much truth.
“Aww. Such the romantic. Who would’ve thought? Right?” She pats our joined hands.
“Gia, Rocco, it was lovely sitting down with the both of you. I’m sorry to have come so early and to interrupt your run. I look forward to the ceremony tomorrow.”
I release her hand as we all stand.
“Father,” she says. “I do have one question.”
I’m not one to panic, but not knowing what she is going to ask has my heart galloping in my chest. By the seriousness on her face, it can’t be good.
“Yes, cara mia.”
“My past. It’s not pretty and Rocco has accepted me for it, of which I’m thankful.”
“Everyone deserves a second chance.”
“It’s not that. I haven’t done anything...well, it’s more a legal matter.”
“Gia?” I question, but she ignores me.
“You see, I changed my name a long time ago. It was a way of excommunicating my past. I never legally changed my name to Gia.”
Fuck. If she tells him her real name now, he’ll have a heart attack. Crossing Lorenzo Parisi is a guaranteed death sentence. I had planned on revealing her name to the priest minutes before the ceremony.
“Gia. It’s fine.”