Best Man for the Bridesmaid

Lizzie stepped in the middle of everyone. “Jules, I’d like you to meet Dante, my future husband. Dante, this is my sister, Julianne, but everyone calls her Jules.”

“Hello, Jules.”

“Hi.” When she went to hold her hand out to him to shake, he pulled her forward and gave her a big hug.

She hesitated at first. This wasn’t the sort of greeting she was accustomed to. It certainly wasn’t the sort of greeting she’d received from Stefano. When Dante let her go, she gazed up at him. He was almost as tall as Stefano. But he wasn’t nearly as disarmingly handsome as his older brother.

“Don’t frown at me,” Dante said lightly. “We’re family and you’ll soon find that the DeFiores are huggers.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

From what Lizzie had told her most of the family lived outside the city on a vineyard. Too bad there wouldn’t be time to visit, but Jules didn’t want to overstay her welcome or crowd the lovebirds. Her mission was to check out the groom, catch up with Lizzie and get wedding details—lots of details. It was never too soon to plan the perfect wedding, and Lizzie deserved no less.

“Let’s go upstairs and get you settled.” Lizzie started for the front door of the restaurant.

“Where exactly are we going?” Jules asked, looking around and trying to get her bearings.

Dante spoke up. “There are apartments above the restaurant. And the entrance is outside.”

“Sounds good. We can get started right away on the wedding plans. We don’t have time to waste.” Jules grabbed for her purse. Before she could reach for her carry-on, Stefano had it in hand. She turned back and followed Lizzie out the door. “Do you have a date picked out? Say, next spring? Or summer?”

“That’s what we wanted to talk to you about.” There was hesitation in Lizzie’s voice.

Jules’s hand gripped the strap of her purse tighter. She sensed trouble. Were they calling the wedding off? They didn’t seem to be fighting or anything. So what was the matter?

“Lizzie, at least let your sister get settled in before you get into it.” Dante maneuvered her suitcase in through a side door and over to a waiting elevator.

“You’re right. My head is just spinning at the moment.” Lizzie turned to Jules. “Wait until you see the penthouse. It’s amazing. I think our entire apartment would fit in the guest room alone.”

Jules watched as Lizzie leaned over and placed a kiss on Dante’s lips. A look came over her sister’s face—a look of utter happiness and love. Suddenly the impact of what was about to happen struck Jules. The thought made her stomach plummet. How had she missed this before?

First, there’d been the eviction notice. Their New York apartment building was converting to expensive condos. That shock had been closely followed by the panicked search for affordable housing combined with trying to find a way to tell Lizzie that she’d had a change of heart about her future. All in all, she’d been pretty caught up in the drama that was her life.

But even with all of that, she couldn’t hide from this piece of reality forever. The backs of her eyes stung, and she blinked repeatedly. The life she’d always known—Lizzie and Jules joined at the hip—was over.

She was now alone in this great big world.

* * *

The smiles.

The I-love-you looks.

The kisses.

Stefano couldn’t wait to bolt for the door. His younger brother certainly had it bad for Lizzie. Whatever was going on with the wedding, they certainly weren’t about to call it off. Maybe they’d already eloped. Stefano ground his teeth together. The thought of his brother doing something so impulsive—so reckless—had Stefano’s whole body tensing up.

He knew what it was to love and lose. He knew the pain...and the guilt that ate at him. He didn’t want Dante to end up like him or their widowed father. DeFiore men inevitably ended up alone—one way or the other. Dante knew all of this; he just chose to ignore it. Avoidance, it was a DeFiore trait. So was stubbornness. And he couldn’t forget to toss in a driving need for independence.

“What has you so quiet this evening, big brother?” Dante clapped him on the back.

“I have a lot on my mind.”

“Really? Do tell?” Dante moved through the open floor plan from the ultramodern black-and-white living room to the stainless steel galley kitchen.

“Nothing you’d be interested in hearing.”

“Aka it’s vineyard business.” Dante pulled open the fridge and perused the contents. “Want something to drink? Looks like Lizzie stocked up on everything for her sister’s arrival.”

“I’m good.”

Dante withdrew a bottle of water and unscrewed the top. “Okay, what’s eating you?”

Before Stefano could think up something to tell his brother besides the truth, the women returned. Thank goodness. He could now escape before the lovey-dovey stuff started again.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Lizzie smiled. When her eyes landed on Dante, she glowed with happiness.

“It really is amazing.” Jules twisted her hands together, looking a bit uncomfortable as the lovebirds radiated toward each other as if by magnetic force. “Well, don’t keep us in suspense—what did you have to tell us about the wedding?”

Stefano’s gaze moved from Jules, with her now sad eyes and her drawn face, to the happy couple who looked as though they belonged on the front of a Valentine’s Day greeting card. With their arms draped around each other’s waist, they looked lovingly into each other’s eyes. Stefano glanced away. He truly wanted it to last for them, but the DeFiore statistics were against them.

“Shall we tell them everything now?” Lizzie stared adoringly up at his brother.

Stefano’s gut rolled nauseously. There was only so much sugary sweetness he could stomach before he became ill. Had he and Gianna ever looked that ridiculously in love? If they had, he couldn’t recall.

“Tell them,” Dante prodded. “It isn’t like it’s a secret. And to pull this off, we’re going to need their help.”

The smile faded from Lizzie’s face. “I guess you’re right—”

“Guys, what is it?” Stefano hadn’t meant to lose his patience, but he really did want to get out of there. He needed to head back to the vineyard, where he could lose himself in work and forget the lovey-dovey stuff as well as Jules’s little purple butterfly that still tempted and teased.

He felt Jules’s narrowed gaze on him. He ignored her as he crossed his arms, willing this to be over. Soon.

“Well, the thing is,” Lizzie began, reaching for Dante’s hand, “the reason we couldn’t pick you up at the airport is that the studio contacted us for a teleconference.”

Jules implored her sister with her big emerald eyes. “Would you just tell us what they said?”

“They want to spotlight our wedding on the show—our very own cooking show.”

“That’s wonderful!” Jules rushed over and hugged her sister.

Stefano held his place. His gut grew uneasy. There was more to follow. He was certain of it.

When the girls pulled apart, Lizzie continued, “The thing is we have to have the wedding in the next two months—”

“What?” Jules’s eyes grew round. “That’s not possible. Do they know what it takes to plan a wedding?”

“They were really excited about the idea. They said it could really boost ratings.” Lizzie clutched Dante’s hand. “I...I told them we could do it.”

“You did what?” Jules’s face filled with color as she pressed her lips together.

Stefano didn’t know if Jules was going to yell or cry. And Lizzie looked upset, too. Honestly, he didn’t know what the big deal was. The only thing you needed was the bride and groom, and the rest was a bunch of froufrou.

“Jules, you don’t understand. This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

His gaze ping-ponged between the two women. Tempers were rising. If someone didn’t do something, this happy reunion was going to end up in a fight. And he didn’t want to see that happen—especially when the disagreement would be over something so stupid.

“Ladies, I’m sure it can be worked out. After all, it’s only a wedding. How hard can it be?”

Suddenly everyone’s attention was on him. The two women looked as though they would send poisonous arrows his way if they could. Dante smiled and shook his head, but he didn’t say a word. So much for receiving any support from his own flesh and blood.

Jules marched over to him. She planted her hands on her hips and lifted her chin. “Exactly how many weddings have you planned?”

He wasn’t about to get into that debate, but when he opened his mouth there was a distinct disconnect between his brain and his vocal cords. “It can’t be that hard. After all, the venue is all taken care of.”

“The venue is only one part of a wedding.”

“So you pick out some pretty dresses and order a cake. Nothing to stress out about.”

Jules glared at him and turned away. “Said like a man who has never planned a wedding.”

Lizzie nodded as though in total agreement. “I know this is short notice. But Dante and I were talking, and we really don’t want to wait a whole year, anyway.”

Jules’s brows lifted. “Is there some other news we should know?”

Color rose in Lizzie’s cheeks. “No. Nothing like that. We’re just anxious to get on with the rest of our lives.”

“But I’m leaving in a week.” Jules worried her bottom lip.

“I know. But if Dante and I buy you an airline ticket for a later date, to make up for the one you’ll be forfeiting, would you consider staying until after the wedding? Please.”

Stefano’s focus zeroed in on Jules. Part of him wanted her to stick with her original plans and leave soon. But a much stronger part of him wanted a chance to check out the butterfly tattoo a little closer—

No! What was he thinking? He didn’t want anything to do with her. Butterfly or no butterfly. He had no intention of getting too close—of feeling too much. The price was too steep. And on top of it all, he didn’t deserve a second chance at happiness.

“Yes, I’ll stay.” Jules crossed her arms and gave Lizzie a firm look. “You know that this is the craziest thing we’ve ever done. Whoever heard of putting together a wedding in two months?”

“We can do it.” Lizzie looked over at Dante. “Didn’t I tell you she’s amazing?”

“Yes, you did.”

Dante swept Lizzie into his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Stefano averted his gaze and ended up staring at Jules. She looked just as uncomfortable as he felt. No one should be as much in love as them. Thankfully he was leaving.

At the DeFiore Vineyard there were no couples in love—no uncomfortable moments. Only memories of mistakes that couldn’t be undone.

CHAPTER THREE

WAS THAT WHAT it was like to be hooked on someone?

Jules gave a slight shake of her head. She wouldn’t know. She’d never let herself get that close to anyone. She glanced at the engaged couple, who were gazing longingly into each other’s eyes. It was as though they had forgotten that anyone else was in the room. She considered making a joking comment, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She’d never seen Lizzie so happy...ever. And she didn’t want to do anything to ruin it.

“I should be going.” Stefano hedged his way toward the door.

“Wait.” Jules sent him a desperate look. He couldn’t just leave her there. “Could you give me a ride?”

She may not want to ruin Lizzie’s happiness, but that didn’t mean she wanted to be subjected to it in large quantities. No way was Stefano escaping this den of love and leaving her trapped. There was only so much she could take of this sugary sweetness. And her teeth already ached.

Lizzie pulled away from Dante. “A ride where?”

“To get a hotel room.”

“Why would you do that?” V-shaped lines formed between Lizzie’s brows. “After all, this will be your home during school breaks.”

“What?” This was news to her.

Before Jules could find the words to set her sister straight, Stefano stepped forward. “Jules might enjoy staying at the villa. It’s quite spacious, and it’ll be helpful for her to see where the wedding will take place.”

Lizzie’s mouth opened, but nothing came out. Jules had the feeling she was wearing a similar expression. The man who didn’t approve of her appearance and who thought weddings were a waste of time was now suggesting she stay with him? She wasn’t so sure how she felt about his offer.

Lizzie’s gaze narrowed as it darted between Jules and Stefano. “Thank you, Stefano. But I’m sure Jules will be more comfortable staying here.”

Jules swallowed and straightened her shoulders. “I think a hotel would be best.”

“You really don’t want to stay here?” Lizzie’s voice grew soft, eroding Jules’s resolve.

Dante stepped up and pulled Lizzie close. Her head tilted against his shoulder as if they’d been leaning on each other for years.

Dante met Jules’s gaze. “You are welcome here. Anytime. For as long as you want. It’s your home now, too.”

“Thank you.” It really meant a lot coming from him, but it still didn’t change her mind. She couldn’t impose on them. But she didn’t have the money to stay in a hotel indefinitely. She turned to Stefano. “How far is the vineyard from here?”

“It’s a bit of a drive.”

“But my brother will be happy to get you back and forth.” Dante smiled as though he really liked the idea.

Jules worried her bottom lip. It was only logical that she go home with Stefano, and he seemed fine with the idea. So why was she throwing up roadblocks?

“I guess Stefano’s right. With the wedding being pushed up, we need to get started right away.” And then Jules got an idea and turned to her foster sister. “Maybe you should come with me.”

Lizzie’s expression filled with worry. “I’d really like to, but I have to stay here as they want to start filming this week. I’m sorry.”

“Oh. I see.” It was going to be challenging planning a wedding without the bride constantly on hand, but somehow they’d make it work.

“But I do have some notes.” Lizzie rushed back the hallway and soon returned with a notebook. She handed it over. “I wrote out a bunch of ideas and attached pictures I cut out from magazines. How about you look over these and then we’ll talk?”

“Sounds good. But what about your dress? Will you be able to get something in such a short time frame?”

Lizzie sent her a knowing smile. “I had the same worry. I ran out as soon as the studio proposed the idea, and I found exactly what I wanted. It’s being altered right now.”

“Great.” Check the most important item off the list. “Did you happen to find one for me?”

“Actually I found three that will work. All you have to do is try them on and see which looks the best.”

Okay, so maybe this rushed wedding wasn’t going to be as horrible to plan as she’d initially envisioned. It wasn’t like Lizzie would turn into bridezilla or anything. Her foster sister had never been a prima donna.

“Are you sure you won’t stay here?” Lizzie begged her with both word and look. “I was really hoping we could catch up on everything and watch some old movies together.”

If it were only Lizzie in the apartment, she wouldn’t hesitate to stay. But even now she noticed how Dante and Lizzie gravitated together. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. And if she were perfectly honest, she wanted to see the vineyard. From everything she’d heard, it was gorgeous. Who would pass up a chance to stay at an Italian villa?

Once you got past his solemn attitude, her host wasn’t too bad, either. She glanced over at Stefano, who was talking with his brother. Okay, so he was a lot more like droolworthy. Her stomach fluttered. Thankfully the attraction was a one-way avenue. He’d already made it perfectly clear that she wasn’t his type.

She glanced away—but not soon enough. Lizzie raised her eyebrows, followed by a questioning look. Jules rolled her eyes and shook her head. The last thing she needed was Lizzie thinking that she had a thing for Stefano. He was much too serious for her. And she didn’t have time for a guy. She had other things on her mind—like planning a rushed wedding and figuring out what to do with her future once she withdrew from grad school.

“How are things coming with school?” Lizzie stepped closer to her.

“Uh...good.” That was strange. It was as if Lizzie could read her mind. She considered telling Lizzie her decision and getting it over with, but not with the guys in the room. This delicate conversation was going to require some uninterrupted privacy.

“Are you ready to go?” Stefano sent her a direct look that said he wanted to escape honeymoon central.

“Yes, I am. Just let me grab my bag.”

“I’ve got it.” Stefano gripped the handle.

Jules turned back to Lizzie, who had an expectant look on her face. “We’ll talk later. I’m so happy for you. And don’t worry about a thing. I promise we’ll plan the best wedding. Ever.”

Lizzie’s worried expression eased. “Thank you. You’re the best.”

“I’ll remember that you said that.” Jules smiled, so happy to see her sister again. “We have a lot of work ahead of us.”

* * *

What in the world had he been thinking?

Stefano shook his head. Obviously he hadn’t been thinking, at least not clearly. What he knew about playing host wouldn’t even fill up his mother’s thimble—a memento that his father kept on his dresser. And what Stefano knew about making women happy was practically nonexistent. His wife could attest to that—if she were still alive. Guilt weighed heavy on his shoulders.

It was just one more reason that taking Jules home with him wasn’t a good idea. Because once you got past all the makeup and distinctive clothes, there was something special about Jules—something that intrigued him. And that was definitely not a good thing.

But he couldn’t just leave her stranded there with those two. His brother could barely keep his hands off Lizzie. Not that he could blame him.

But there was no way anyone could convince Stefano to stay in that apartment—no matter how spacious it was. There was only so much of that mushy stuff that one could handle. Regardless of his hesitation, Jules didn’t deserve to play the third wheel.

“Thank you.”

Her voice startled him out of his thoughts. “What?”

“Thank you for helping me out back there. I don’t think I could have stood to watch them much longer. Did you ever see such a happy couple?”

He shook his head. At last, they had something in common. “They certainly have it bad for each other.”

“You noticed that, too?”

He nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. “What do you think about their rush to say I do?”

“I was beginning to think that Lizzie was never going to settle down with a family of her own, especially after—well, anyway, it’s full steam ahead.”

After what? He wanted to ask, but he didn’t. He just hoped that Dante knew what Jules was referring to. He wasn’t crazy about the rushed engagement and even less so about the hurried wedding. He wished Dante would take his time and give the whole marriage idea more thought.

Perhaps now Stefano wasn’t the only one with reservations. He’d noticed the brief frown that had crossed Jules’s face back at the love nest when she thought no one was looking. Maybe she’d had a change of heart about this whirlwind romance.

Could it be he had an ally—someone who thought the happy couple should slow down and see reason? Sure, the television people were anxious for the wedding. The only thing that mattered to them was their ratings. But marriage was about so much more than a popularity contest. It was a lifelong commitment—one that could have devastating consequences if you weren’t careful.

He cleared his throat. “That sure was a surprise about them pushing the wedding up so far. It’s only a matter of weeks away. I wonder if they’re doing the right thing.”

He took his focus off the road for a moment and glanced over to find Jules studying him suspiciously. Definitely not a good sign. It would seem that he’d read her reactions all wrong.

“What are you worried about?” she asked. “Don’t you like Lizzie? Don’t you think she’s good enough for your brother?”

“Whoa! Slow down. That isn’t what I meant.” Why in the world had he even opened his mouth? He should have just left well enough alone.

He kept glancing between Jules and the road. She crossed her arms and arched a brow at him. She was waiting for an explanation, and he didn’t know exactly what to say. He didn’t want to open his mouth and insert his freshly polished dress shoe. But she didn’t look as though she was about to let him off the proverbial hook anytime soon.

He sighed. “What I meant was that if it’s real between them, there’s no need to rush—no matter what the television studio says. They can take their time—”

“That’s not the real truth, is it?” When he didn’t have an immediate denial, Jules barreled on. “The truth is you know about Lizzie’s past and you don’t think that she’s good enough to marry into the DeFiore family.”

“That’s not true.” He wished that was the case. If his disapproval was the only obstacle Dante and Lizzie had to face, their future would be paved in rose petals. But the truth was he thought they made a great couple—a couple totally in love with each other. The problem with love was that it was blind and deaf to the truth. And sooner or later, devastation would plan a sneak attack—it always did. But how did he explain any of that to Jules? Unless you had lived through it—twice in his case—you just couldn’t truly understand.

Marriage to a DeFiore ended with dire consequences.

“Then what is it?” Jules continued to stare at him. “Why are you against this wedding?”

“I’m not. At least not as far as them being together.”

“But...”

He couldn’t do it.

Telling Jules the whole truth wasn’t an option. He couldn’t pry open that door to his past—to relive the pain. And though he barely knew her, he couldn’t stand the thought of Jules turning those luminous green eyes on him in judgment, followed by condemnation. Gianna’s family still looked at him that way. He’d finally accepted that they’d always blame him.

Pain and worry drowned out his common sense, and he spoke from his tattered heart. “I don’t think they know each other well enough yet. Heck, even when you’ve known someone for years, there’s still so much adjustment you have to make.”

“You sound as though you know this firsthand.”

He shrugged off her comment.

There he’d gone and done it. He’d cracked open the door to his past. And now he just hoped he could get it closed again before too many memories leaked out. The painful image of his wife’s mangled car being towed away had him gripping the steering wheel tighter.

He choked down the jagged lump in his throat. “The point is that I like Lizzie. I think she’s great.”

“You do?” There was a note of surprise mingled with happiness in Jules’s voice. “Really?”

He nodded and then switched on the turn signal as they neared the entrance to the vineyard. “I just don’t want them to rush things and then find out later that they made a mistake.”

“Is that what you think they’re doing? Making a mistake?”

He shrugged again. “I think love is a two-edged sword. And if you aren’t careful, you’ll get cut.”

He didn’t look at her this time, but he could feel her steady gaze on him. He wasn’t going any further with this conversation. He didn’t owe her any other explanations. None whatsoever.

CHAPTER FOUR

HONESTY RANG OUT in Stefano’s voice.

But could Jules believe her ears?

Did he truly like her sister? Or was he just telling her what he thought she wanted to hear? Jules wanted to believe him. Truly she did. But there was something more to his hesitation than the wedding being bumped up. And that made her intensely curious.

“Here we are.” Stefano’s deep voice with its heavy accent drew her out of her thoughts.