But as Dante looped his arm through his bride’s so that they were linked as they sipped their bubbly, Stefano realized that love was a leap of faith. Without trust there could be no love. And he trusted Jules. Somewhere along the way he’d gotten to know the girl hiding behind all the makeup and funky clothes.
Life was full of risks. And life could change in a heartbeat. If his father and brother were willing to put themselves out there, even though they knew the risks, what was he doing playing it safe and letting the woman he loved get away?
His mouth grew dry, and he took a sip of champagne. In the next moment, someone whisked the mic out of his hand. When he looked up, Jules was headed his way. His heart pounded, his pulse raced and his hands grew clammy.
This was his moment—his chance to win over the woman he loved. The thought didn’t strike him as sudden or earth-shattering. Instead the acknowledgment came easily and calmly. It’d been growing over time, but he’d been doing everything to fight it.
* * *
Jules clenched her teeth tight as she forced a smile on her face. This was going to be the last time she was in Stefano’s arms. She blinked rapidly. Now wasn’t the time to get emotional.
All too soon, he stood before her. He was so tall that his gaze went over her head. She didn’t know what to say to him. Did she try again to make him see sense? Or did she just let it go and accept that this wasn’t going to happen for them?
Before she could make up her mind, a photographer was in her face snapping their picture. As they started to dance, she chanced a glance at Stefano, who surprisingly looked at ease. His smile made her heart flip-flop. Eventually he was going to make some woman a good husband. Too bad it wasn’t going to be her.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” The sound of Stefano’s voice startled her from her thoughts. “But you’ve been busy dancing.”
“Yes. It’s been nice, especially since I’ll be stuck on a plane tomorrow.”
“You’ve decided to go ahead with grad school?” When she nodded, it was like a light went out in his eyes. “I’m sure you’ll be happy with the choice.”
She shrugged. “We’ll see. Anyway, I have to get back and find someplace cheap to live before classes start.” When he adjusted his hold, her heart did a rapid tap-tap-tap. “What did you want to talk about?”
“Uh, nothing important. I just wanted to offer you a ride to the airport.”
“Thanks, but I’m getting a lift with Dante and Lizzie.”
“Have a safe trip home.”
This was killing her. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was say goodbye to him. “Is that what you really want? Me to leave?”
They stopped dancing, and his hand lifted to her cheek. His long, lean fingers caressed her as he stared into her eyes. “I—”
A round of applause drew her attention. What in the world? She looked around and realized the music had stopped a while ago and they were the only couple left on the dance floor. Heat rose in her cheeks. She didn’t know if it was because she hadn’t noticed the music stopping or if it was because she’d broken down once again and asked Stefano to change his mind about them.
But what she wanted to know more than anything was what he was about to say. “Say it. Say whatever it is.”
“Come on, Jules! It’s time for the bridal bouquet toss.” Lizzie waved frantically to her from the other end of the dance floor, where a group of single females was anxiously waiting.
“Go. You are needed. We can talk about this later.”
Later? How was she supposed to concentrate on anything until she knew what he was going to say? Her intuition told her that he was about to say he loved her. But was that just wishful thinking?
She walked closer to the group of excited young women. Their faces were all aglow with hopeful smiles, but there was nothing but turmoil lurking behind Jules’s smile. The wedding may be in Italy, but Lizzie insisted on mixing traditions between those of Dante’s family and what they were used to in New York. That had included the Chicken Dance, which had succeeded in getting everyone laughing.
Catching the bridal bouquet was one tradition that Jules could do without. A happily-ever-after didn’t appear to be in the cards for her. As if fate wanted to teach her a lesson, the bouquet of pink, orange and white blossoms landed squarely in her hands.
While everyone clapped, her gaze strayed to Stefano. He wasn’t clapping, but he was staring directly at her. She wished she could read his mind.
STEFANO’S HEART SLAMMED into his chest as he stared at Jules’s holding the bridal bouquet. She stared right back at him.
She was trying to tell him something, but what? He had to get this right. He couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes.
Had she forgiven him? Was she willing to give him another chance? Live in the moment—her words echoed through his mind. He needed to trust her and her decisions—no matter what direction they led her. Although he prayed that it would be toward him.
Stefano straightened his shoulders. This had been put off long enough. He would let her know that he loved her and then he’d accept whatever decision she made.
He started toward her only to have her pulled aside for more wedding photos, this time holding the bridal bouquet. There was no way he was intruding on that moment. He’d had enough photos of himself taken to last him the rest of his life. But he also wasn’t letting her out of his sight.
He didn’t know how much time passed as he talked to one distant relative after the other—some he didn’t even recall their names and had to fake it. And every time he was free, Jules was having more photos taken or being escorted around the dance floor. Even his father had taken his turn dancing with her.
“What are you waiting for, boy?”
He turned to find Nonno behind him. His grandfather’s gaze moved from him to Jules, who was getting a drink of punch. How did his grandfather know what he was waiting to say? Was it that obvious?
“I...I didn’t want to bother her.”
With the aid of a walker, his grandfather moved next to him and lowered his voice. “You aren’t going to bother her. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Don’t let her get away.”
“You...you think she’ll want me after I messed up?” His grandfather nodded and Stefano added, “Thanks, Nonno.”
“Go. Be happy.”
Jules didn’t see him approaching, and she started to walk in the opposite direction. He wasn’t going to turn back, not until he got this off his chest. He continued following and inwardly groaned when she approached Dante and Lizzie. The last thing he wanted to do was lay his heart on the line in front of his brother. There had to be a better way, but he was running out of time. Determined not to lose his chance, he continued over and joined the small group. They were deep in conversation.
Jules looked directly at her sister. “I wanted to let you two know that I won’t need a ride tomorrow morning to the airport.”
“What?” Lizzie’s eyes opened wide. “But why not?”
“You know I love you.” Jules’s tone was low and firm. “And I know that if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be standing here. You’ve been the most amazing sister, but there’s something I’ve been trying to tell you. For one reason or another it was never the right time. I’m beginning to think there’ll never be a right time, so I’m just going to say it.”
No one moved. Stefano wasn’t even sure that Lizzie