Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Everyone's here, and I mean everyone. All the Montavios and those with significant others. All the Rossis, their children, and spouses. Nonna, and Tosca, and Flo, minus Helena, who conveniently decided to go back to Italy. Too bad so sad.
Adriana pulls me to him and kisses my cheek. "You never got a wedding reception, Quinn. You will today."
I can't decide if I want to laugh, cry, or throw something in the air and whoop with delight. So, I do all of the above.
We feast on specialty food items prepared by Eden, Tosca, and Nonna. I do all the things brides do, like cut the wedding cake and throw a bouquet.
And I get to meet everyone. Romeo and his wife Vittoria, who introduces me to his brothers, Orlando and Tavi, and their wives. Rosa's husband, Santo, Marialena's husband, Salvatore, even Dario and Vivia who've been in Mexico until recently. Mario and his wife Gloria are there, as well as Starla, Timeo, and Ricco.
"We wanted to throw you a bridal shower slash reception and we finally managed to get your husband to agree.”
We all feasted, danced, laughed, and drank wine until we couldn't hold any more. Now we're all lounging in the reception room at the Rossi family castle, and I'm staring at a stack of white-and-gold-wrapped gifts and decorations.
"Open gifts? Don't mind if I do." Not that we need anything, but it's still fun to do.
I've never seen what rich people give each other, so this is pretty fun.
I open an envelope to find a gift card from Rosa and Santo. Photography session.
“Because you never got wedding pictures.”
There are tickets for a luxury cruise from Salvatore and Marialena, a painting of the ocean from Tosca. A monthly subscription to spa services, a beautiful diamond necklace, and a few other special things. There's a family recipe book from Eden, with handwritten notes on little recipe cards. "These are the beginner ones," she says with a smile.
"As in, open the microwave and push a button?”
Adriano shrugs. “Food is food.”
Right, right, weirdo.
We get money, and more gift cards, but the one I'm most fascinated with is a little envelope Tosca gives us with a key inside. "That's your key to our family home in Tuscany. Visit anytime you like."
I reach for Adriano's hand, suddenly choked up. What would it be like to go back to Italy with him? “Thank you.”
Eden presses little ivory notecards into my hand. “For later,” she says.
Mario and Tavi bring in trays of dessert and people begin to wander about the huge estate, leaving me and Adriano alone.
“It’s later,” I say, because curiosity is killing me.
Adriano takes one of the notecards and unfolds it, reading the top line.
“Ah. ‘What’s your advice for a happy marriage?’”
I unfold mine, which says,
Never let the sun go down on your anger.
“Easy,” Adriano says.
“Oh, really? Do you think sex and a session at the club will solve all of our arguments?”
He pretends to think it over. “Yes.”
I laugh and take another card from his hand.
Make sure to listen more than you talk.
Adriano grimaces. “Please don’t do that. I like your chatter.”
“Good, because you just bought me a chocolate shop.”
I hear the advice, though. Prioritize my husband’s need to communicate as much as my own.
He reads another.
Always give your spouse the benefit of the doubt.
“Now that’s a good one,” I say, shaking my head. “So much heartache could be avoided.”
“Agreed. What’s yours say?”
Take time for your friendship. Infatuation doesn’t last and beauty fades, but friendship is forever.
“I love that.” We’re quiet for a moment while I hold the heavy key to Tuscany in my hand and finger the fancy edges.
“Adriano? Would you take me to Tuscany? Would you be alright going back to Italy?”
“Are you kidding me? I haven’t had good pizza in fucking years.” He sobers and nods before he pulls me to him and kisses my forehead.
“Quinn, I’ll go anywhere with you.”
He holds my hand. “Maybe that’s the most important thing of all? I’ll go anywhere with you.”