“Thanks.”
He lets me go and we both collapse into our chairs, happily bemused. “We’re getting married. I wanted it to happen tomorrow, but with Enzo and Sheila’s wedding...” Our eyes meet; neither one of us is happy about Enzo and Sheila, only we know there isn’t a damn thing we can do to stop it. “I told Bethany, the day after Enzo is back from his honeymoon, we’re doing it. Claudine said something about a wedding day being special. It slowed my roll a little. I don’t want her to have any regrets or feel like I shortchanged her because it’s the only wedding day she’ll have.”
“Oh yeah, man, I started out the same way. I begged Alicia to do Vegas but I gave in. Then as I watched her getting into it, the way her face lit up at the dresses and cakes and flowers, all of that stuff, there’s nothing I wouldn’t have done to keep her happy. Whatever you do, don’t say ‘Anything you want, whatever makes you happy.’ Even if you don’t care, try and pay attention and pick the one you think she wants. If it isn’t, let her tell you it’s wrong, then apologize and agree with her. Also, Bethany is a lot like Alicia, don’t let her see the price tags. Get a wedding planner and make sure she doesn’t give the prices of things. Alicia picked the ugliest damn place settings because it was cheaper. She didn’t like it at all, she was just freaked by how much everything cost.”
No way will Bethany get a look at price tags. She’s getting whatever the hell she wants, fuck the cost. “Thanks for the heads up, I was the same on Vegas. I was thinking of handing Bethany a credit card and telling her whatever she wanted she got. But yeah, I can see her freaking out about costs. You should have seen her eyes when I pulled out her ring.”
His eyes go wide. “You already had a ring?”
I go red then shrug. “Yeah, I got it in Madrid. I knew it was her, no question. Then I saw the ring, it’s almost as gorgeous as she is. A Burmese ruby, nine carats, with a halo of diamonds. it fits her to perfection by the way. Only once I had the ring, I started thinking too much. I worried everyone would say it was too soon. I figured I’d give it a year then lock her down. Now I don’t care if anyone thinks it’s too soon. I’m going to feel the same way whether it’s six months or six decades from now.”
“I don’t doubt it. Even while I fought what I felt for Alicia, I knew it was because once I had her I’d never let her go. I wasn’t sure if I was ready, could be what she deserved.”
Nodding, I laugh. “Bethany is as much of a pain in the ass as I am. We’re exactly what we both deserve. The last six weeks have been smooth as ice; sometimes I wonder when the other shoe is going to drop and she’s going to do something to annoy me or vice versa, but so far nothing. I mean, it’s only six weeks, but if we were going to have problems I would think they’d have shown up by now.”
“That’s awesome, but don’t get smug or too complacent. Nothing is guaranteed to hurt your relationship faster. I did, started taking how good we were for granted. Alicia checked my ass fast, and I’m glad she did.”
“Noted. I can’t see Bethany letting me get away with anything, but I’ll try not to go there in the first place. Tomorrow I’ll be out of the office to get Bethany to the doctor. How soon before we know if it’s a girl?”
Che laughs. “A few more months.”
***
Bethany
“Alicia, I have to get back to work. My lunch is over in two minutes and I still need to call Dante.”
“You can’t go yet, it’s still sinking in. How far along do you think you are? When are you going to the doctor? I have the best OB/GYN in the city, I’ll text you her number. Oh god, I hope it’s a girl so she and Sophia can play together.”
“Ah, you’re going with Sophia? I love it. I changed my mind, I want a mini-Dante.” My phone beeps. “That’s Dante, I have to go.” I hang up without any guilt—I warned her. “Hi, honey, I’m so sorry I haven’t called you. I took lunch a little late, then Alicia wouldn’t let me off the phone.”
“It’s fine. I was just worried. How is today going? You got to at least get lunch.”
“So much better. I love Dr. Murphy, Harriet, she knows her shit and she has everything running like it’s been going for months. We’re busy but it’s not crazy like yesterday.”
“Good, I’m glad. I’ll let you go. Five thirty tonight?”
“Yep.”
“See you then.”
“Bye.” I bite my tongue as I hang up. I almost said it. Why didn’t I? Why hasn’t he? This morning I was waiting for the words. Everything else he said and did was perfect, including this ridiculous ass ring he bought less than three weeks after the day he met me. Running a finger over the halo of diamonds, I sigh. He does love me, I know he does. I’m being silly for feeling hurt he hasn’t said the words. Don’t look for problems where there aren’t any, Bethany. Stop it.
***
Bethany
When the limo pulls up I’m at first excited at the idea of Enzo joining us, then my happiness dims. I hope Sheila isn’t coming. She is such a bitch. I cannot for the life of me understand what the hell Enzo is doing picking her, unless he’s trying to make sure he doesn’t fall in love with the woman he marries. Dante said Enzo’s holding firm on the whole not marrying for love thing. All Enzo cares about is his wife wants three children and is willing to have them in the first five years of their marriage. Sheila even took a medical exam to ensure she could have children. The whole thing freaked me out a little, and I admitted it to Dante. All Dante said was, it was the solder’s brain in him at work. When I told my therapist, she told me to give Enzo her card. My therapist is hilarious. Boy, do we have a lot to discuss this week.
Dante gets out and his expression is clear, Sheila is in the car. Dang it, this was supposed to be a happy family celebration night. His arm goes around me to hug me close, as he whispers in my ear. “Sorry, Enzo said she was excited to come.”
“Not your fault. It’s too bad I’m done with alcohol for a while.”
“I’ll drink enough for the both of us. She has the most annoying fake laugh.”
I slide into the backseat. “Hey, Enzo, hello Sheila. I’m glad you guys could join us tonight.”
Enzo smiles wide. “I’m already pretty sure I know what it is, but I don’t want to miss anything.”