Best Man for the Bridesmaid

“Hey, man, what has you so quiet?” Dante leaned back in his chair after the server removed the now empty dishes from the table.

“Nothing.” He shrugged off the unwanted memories.

“Don’t tell me that. I know you. And something is eating at you.”

It was true. His brother could still read him quite well. He’d really been there for him after Gianna’s death. And the fact that Dante had witnessed what he’d gone through after losing Gianna either made Dante brave for going ahead with this wedding or foolish. Stefano wasn’t sure which was the case.

“Are you really serious about wanting to move the wedding to this hotel?” Stefano wanted to turn the conversation away from himself. “I thought you wanted to get married at the vineyard. What changed?”

Dante raked his fingers through his hair. “The television people. They’re making it nearly impossible to do what we want with the wedding.”

“Then quit the show.” Stefano never did understand why his brother was so anxious to turn his life upside down for a television show.

Dante shook his head. “I can’t do that. We have a contract.”

“I’m confused. What does the show have to do with your wedding?”

“A lot.” Lizzie spoke up. All eyes turned to her. “That’s why we asked you guys to dinner. We had a long meeting with the executives, and they need us to step up our filming.”

“But why move the wedding here?” Jules echoed Stefano’s question.

Lizzie fingered the edge of the white linen napkin. “Because the time I have available to plan the wedding is very limited. I don’t know how often we’ll be able to get out to the vineyard before the big day. So if we have the wedding here in Rome, it’ll be more convenient.”

“But will it be what you truly want? After all, it’s your big day—the biggest of your life. Shouldn’t it be what you want and not what’s easiest?” Jules sent her foster sister a determined look.

Stefano didn’t think this wedding was such a great idea, but he had to agree with Jules. If it was going to take place, it should be what they wanted and not just what was most convenient.

“Jules is right.” Stefano could feel her wide-eyed stare, but he kept his vision on Lizzie before turning to Dante. “I don’t hear you saying anything.”

“I’m fine with whatever Lizzie decides. I want this wedding to be everything she ever dreamed it would be, whether it’s here or at the vineyard.”

“Thank you.” Lizzie squeezed Dante’s hand and gazed lovingly into his eyes. Then she turned to Jules and Stefano. “You’re right—you’re both right. The vineyard would be ideal. But—”

“No buts.” Jules crossed her arms. “We’ll make it work.”

Stefano shifted in his seat. Who was this “we” that she referred to? He didn’t say anything as he waited to find out exactly what she had in mind.

Lizzie peered at her sister. “I couldn’t ask you to do more than you’re already doing.”

“You aren’t asking. I’m offering.”

Stefano was starting to like the sound of this. If Jules was off planning a wedding, she’d be out of his way, and maybe then he wouldn’t think about those short skirts, the knee-high black boots or that little butterfly, whose purple wings at this very moment were peeping out over the plunging neckline of Jules’s purple top.

“And my brother will be around to drive you back and forth to the city. And whatever other help you’ll need.” Dante clapped him on the back and grinned at him as if he’d just caught him in a trap.

Stefano choked. How dare his brother automatically assume he’d be willing to continue his role as chauffeur. With all eyes on him, Stefano struggled for a neutral tone. “I have a business to run.”

“Papa will help out. After all, it isn’t harvest season. There shouldn’t be anything too pressing.”

Jules turned to him. Her eyes pleaded with him. And his resolve began to crack. Would it really be so bad? One or two trips to the city. Maybe three at most. It wasn’t like he’d be doing anything but driving Jules around. How hard could that be?

“I’d really appreciate your help.” Jules’s lips lifted at the corners, brightening the softly lit dining room.

And in that moment, the last of his resolve shattered.

“Just let me know what you need me to do.” Had he really just spoken those words?

Jules reached over and squeezed his hand. “I will. There shouldn’t be too much.”

Her smile reached her eyes and made them sparkle like gems. His chest filled with a funny sensation. Must be indigestion. No way was he falling for Jules. Of that he was certain.