front of us. We pose with soft smiles and she presses the button, freezing us in time. “I love it! Perfecto, my niece.” My uncle approaches, pressing a kiss to my forehead and congratulating me with a wad of cash before he and my zia head for the bar.
It’s customary to give outlandish gifts and cash for Italian weddings. In fact, my famiglia would be offended if they found out someone didn’t give me a nice gift or money to wish me well. It’s normal, so I don’t question it when people I don’t know approach me with envelops and wish me well. It’s typical for them to hand the money to the men and the gifts to the women, but since Max isn’t here, it looks as if I’ll collect it all. I don’t mind in the slightest. It’s the least I can get from putting up with his haughty attitude. I’ll have to go on a shopping trip this week to take my mind off things.
Giovanna leaves Danny with our cousins and heads my way once she notices I’m finally alone. “How are you holding up? The ceremony was perfect. You’re the most beautiful bride.”
“Honestly?” I shrug. “I don’t know what to think, truthfully. One moment, I’m fine. I’ve always been strong and independent. The next, I’m unsure of what I should be doing here, and wish Max were beside me as a buffer. I feel awkward doing this alone.”
“I’m pissed off for you at that asshole.”
“Don’t be. He can’t help it. I knew that about him before I agreed to marry him.”
“Like hell he can’t. He and Joker are thick as thieves. I have a feeling he could do anything he wanted.”
I send her a look, brows lifted. “This is what I signed up for. My father warned me, even though I kind of already knew about what to expect, as far as a relationship goes. It’s not a big deal. I should be thrilled I don’t have to put up with his arrogance on such a beautiful day.”
“Mm.” Her lips lift as she gazes around the room. “It is really lovely in here. They did a wonderful job decorating.”
I nod. “Zia’s florist is the best. I knew she’d transform whatever space was given to her into a wonderland. It was a relief not to have to worry about any of that. I’d have gone crazy with everything. There’s far more details than I ever imagined.”
“Yes, a never ending amount. She’s transformed it into a white winter wonderland, but with heat, and a million flowers instead of real snow. This is how all winter should be.”
I giggle. “Hey, there’s a real ice sculpture! So it’s not all flowers and fluff.”
“Well yeah, I’d expect nothing less. This wedding is the invite of the city right now. People are salivating for details.” She pretend pouts, murmuring, “I didn’t get an ice sculpture.”
I tease, “You had an early summer wedding and made us all sweat to death. Ice wouldn’t have lasted. It didn’t in our glasses. Probably why we got so drunk and ended up sick the next day.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever, it was worth it. By the way, Danny was asking if he can take leftovers home. The food was amazing.”
I snort laugh. “He’s such a pig. How he stays trim is beyond me.”
She nods, agreeing. “He is. But he’s got a big dick, so he’s excused.”
“Ugh, TMI. He’s famiglia. I don’t want to hear about his man parts.”
“Fine, you asked how he’s able to eat and stay trim. It’s all those pelvic thrusts.” She laughs, and says, “I want to hear all about your new husband’s man parts, so don’t hold back.”
I shake my head, sharing a grin with my close friend. Life wouldn’t be as entertaining if she weren’t in it. I’m grateful she’s with me today. It definitely makes it less taxing.
“Have you talked any more about coming back to work after your vacation time is over? I miss you there already.”
Max is adamant my job isn’t safe. He wants me to stay holed up in the apartment and do any work remotely. It’s ridiculous. I wasn’t raised to be locked away, scared of the possibilities out in the world. Some Mafia famiglias keep their daughters suffocated away until marriage, but my father was never like that. He urged me to follow my heart, and he’s one of the reasons why I’m as successful as I am today.
“He can bat those soul-sucking irises somewhere else.