The Italian

Everyone goes back to their conversations and the girls’ attention comes back to me. “Were you expecting this?” Jennifer asks.

“No. I mean, I thought we would get married one day. But this early? No way. This is all his doing. It bothers Enrico that I’m not his wife. He wants it to be legal.”

Jennifer leans on her hand and smiles dreamily. “He’s so romantic.”

“I know, right? So, tell us about the proposal,” Nat says.

“He took me to our special place.”

“Where’s that?” Jennifer asks.

“The Pantheon.” I smile as I stare lovingly at my ring.

“In Rome?

“Yes, he took me there two years ago when we first met.”

“You’ve been together for two years?” Jennifer squeaks.

“No.” I laugh. “It was terrible timing back then. His father and grandfather were killed in a car accident that weekend, and he was too upset to start anything.”

“Murdered,” Nat mutters into her wineglass. “Tell it as it is.”

“Murdered?” Jennifer gasps as she looks between us.

“We don’t know that.” I widen my eyes at Natalie to tell her to shut up.

“He was totally murdered.” Natalie scoffs. “Haven’t you noticed how much security Olivia has around her.”

Jennifer leans in toward the table. “I had noticed that,” she whispers. “I wondered why.”

“It’s just because he’s wealthy, that’s all,” I reply. “It doesn’t mean anything.” I frown over at Natalie. Thank God I didn’t tell her anything. Imagine if she knew the truth. I need to change the subject. “Oh, there’s a problem, though.”

“What’s that?” Nat asks.

“Enrico wants to have an engagement party in two weeks at the Lake Como house.” I shrug, feeling totally overwhelmed. “I have no idea how to organize it in that time. He said he will get a party planner, but I hate the thought. It’s so impersonal.”

“Oh.” Jennifer’s eyes widen. “I can do it. I was an event manager back home. I used to do this all the time. It’s a piece of cake.”

“Really?” I frown.

“Sure, and I’m not working right now. I could just work on it full-time.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose.”

“It wouldn’t be an imposition. I would love to help out. I’d be happy to have something to do to be honest.”

“That’s a fantastic idea,” Nat says. “Just pay her to do it.”

“Of course, I would pay you,” I say.

“If you like. I can invoice you when we’re done. I won’t charge much.”

“Don’t worry, she’s loaded.” Nat tips her head back and drains her glass.

“If you could send me the numbers and what you want, I can get started today.”

“Really?” I smile in wonder. “That quick?”