Chapter 3

When I came downstairs, Luca was standing outside the hotel with a coffee made exactly the way I liked it.

He studied my face before handing it to me, then opened the car door.

"When we're done today, let's go to your favorite restaurant. Just us."

I'd agreed to come because I needed to retrieve my mother's earrings from the bridal suite and tell my wedding planner, Vivian Hale, in person that the ceremony was canceled.

Luca seemed to think that getting into his car meant we'd made up.

Black family sedans were parked outside the venue. Men wearing earpieces guarded the entrance.

Inside the banquet hall, Sofia stood at the altar wearing an ivory gown. Its train was so long two staff members had to arrange it for her.

When she spotted Luca, she lifted the skirt and smiled.

"What do you think? Too much?"

He stopped to look at her.

"It suits you."

Vivian stood nearby, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

The bridesmaid dress we'd agreed on was dusty blue.

Luca turned to me and lowered his voice.

"Sal promised to buy her a dress like this one. I'm keeping that promise for him."

"At our wedding?"

"She won't wear a veil. No matter what you put on, you'll still be the most beautiful bride."

Then he slipped my coat off and handed it to an attendant, as smoothly as though nothing had happened between us.

Sofia stepped down, her skirt brushing my shoes.

"Can I do a walk-through with Luca? Irene hasn't changed yet, so we might as well test the lighting."

Vivian looked at me.

But Luca was already offering Sofia his arm.

"It'll be quick."

The music began.

I stood beside the empty rows of guest chairs and watched her walk down the aisle on my fiancé's arm.

At the altar, Sofia stepped on her skirt. Luca immediately caught her around the waist.

Someone in the front row chuckled and murmured that they made a lovely couple.

Luca glanced over at me.

"Don't say that. Irene will get jealous."

He made it sound like a lighthearted joke, a harmless way of defending my place.

I turned away and went to the bridal suite.

My mother's earrings were inside a little jewelry box. I slipped it into my bag.

By the time I returned, the rehearsal was over. Luca and Sofia were sitting at the long table for the menu tasting.

My place was on Luca's right. Sofia sat on his left.

The first appetizer had barely arrived when Luca stopped the server.

"Does that contain nuts?"

"This one has crushed almonds, sir. We've prepared a separate dish for Miss Sorrentino, and the chef has already—"

"Change them all."

He didn't raise his voice, but the server immediately took the tray away.

"She'll feel uncomfortable otherwise. No reason to make her feel like a patient who needs special treatment."

I looked at him.

"That roasted-pepper dish with almond sauce is my mother's recipe. I checked with the kitchen ahead of time, and I arranged a separate serving for her."

"I remember."

He squeezed my hand.

"We can eat it at home whenever we like. On our wedding day, I want everyone to be comfortable."

Sofia suddenly dropped her head.

"It's my fault. You don't have to change the menu for me."

Then she scooped some of the crushed almonds into her mouth.

A second later, her hand flew to her chest. Her arm knocked over a glass.

"Luca... I don't think I can breathe."

Luca rushed around me to catch her. Sofia's arm struck my shoulder as she grabbed for him.

I lost my balance and fell out of my chair, landing with my right palm in the shattered glass.

Pain shot through my hand.

Instinctively, I called his name.

"Luca."

He turned.

His eyes dropped to my hand, and for one second I saw genuine shock.

Sofia clutched his shirt, looking as though she couldn't breathe.

The half-step he'd taken toward me stopped.

He looked at Marco, who was standing by the door.

"Take Irene to get her hand treated."

He scooped Sofia into his arms. Even then, he remembered to reassure me.

"I'll be right back."

I gripped the table's edge with my left hand. Blood dripped from between the fingers of my right.

"I need you, too."

He looked at me and swallowed.

"She could be in danger."

Then he carried Sofia out.

I stayed where I was.

When I looked toward the hall's entrance, I saw the portrait displayed on the welcome easel. At its center, Luca was looking down at Sofia.

It was the same way he'd looked when he left with her.

I turned to Vivian as she hurried over.

"Please take that picture down."

She hesitated.

"Would you like us to replace it with a portrait of just you and Mr. Moretti?"

"Don't replace it."

A server handed me a towel. I pressed it against my bleeding palm.

"I won't be at this wedding."