Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I lift my hand to his cheek, smiling so hard my cheeks ache. “Hi, Mr. La Rosa-Falco.”
Enzo
Arriving at one of the hotels that belong to my family, I grip my wife’s hand tightly as I lead her through the lobby, barely taking in any of the heavy security that’s been arranged for today.
I only have eyes for Rosie as she walks beside me in a cloud of ivory lace and silk, her veil trailing behind her while the diamonds sewn into her dress catch the light with every step.
Christ, she looks fucking beautiful.
Rosie La Rosa-Falco is mine.
Forever.
When the double doors open to the ballroom, she stops beside me, and her fingers tighten around mine.
The hall has been transformed into a stunning sight that makes Rosie’s breath catch in her throat.
Tall crystal chandeliers give a warm light to the room while hundreds of candles flicker where they stand in gold and glass cylinders. White roses, orchids, and soft greenery climb the walls and frame the high windows, with long garlands running down the center of every table.
The place smells like flowers, champagne, and expensive perfection.
At the far end of the room, our bridal table waits on a raised platform, covered in ivory silk with gold edging and a heavy fall of white roses spilling over the front.
Behind it, a wall of flowers frames our names in glowing script.
Enzo & Rosie La Rosa-Falco.
Leaning in, I ask, “You okay, bella mia?”
She turns her face toward mine, a smile trembling around her mouth and so much happiness in her eyes that it makes my chest ache.
“With you by my side, I will always be okay.”
I tug her closer, and wrapping my arm around her, I dip her backward.
“Enzo!” she gasps, her veil spilling behind her while her hands fly to my shoulders.
The moment I crush my mouth to hers, the ballroom erupts with whistles and cheers.
I kiss my wife with every ounce of love and desire I feel for her, and when I pull her upright again, she’s breathless and glowing.
“Wow,” she breathes dreamily. “There you go making my heart skip a beat and giving me butterflies.”
I brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “Hopefully I can still manage to make that happen when we’re old and gray.”
Rosie’s eyes soften on me. “I like the sound of that.”
Taking her hand, I lead her toward our table, with everyone still cheering, ready to celebrate our special day with us.
Gianna and Aunt Eden meet Rosie at the bridal table and carefully remove the veil before my wife sits down.
I glance over the room. Christiano and Sienna sit at the table to my left with Dad and Mom. On Rosie’s side, Aunt Eden takes her seat next to Uncle Dario with Tyrone and Esmerelda, Rosie’s grandparents, smiling through tears as they look from her to me.
Around them, the rest of our family and our closest friends get comfortable, the low sound of voices and laughter filling the hall.
“Why are you so quiet?” Rosie asks.
I turn my body toward hers, and leaning in, I kiss the side of her neck before answering, “I’m just looking at everyone that’s here today.”
Servers flood the room, drawing my attention for a couple of seconds as they fill flutes with champagne, and when Riccardo, who’s my best man, takes his position behind a microphone, I know the speeches are about to start.
He taps the mic, and it screeches, getting everyone’s attention. “Well, that did the trick.” He chuckles. “Can everyone raise their glasses to our beautiful bride and the groom, who’s lucky that she said yes?”
A murmur of chuckles spread over all the tables.
I reach for Rosie’s hand, and settling it on my thigh, I brush my thumb over her knuckles while looking down at the soft pink nail polish she’s wearing.
My lips curve up, and I meet her eyes. “You actually put on nail polish for today?”
“Miracles happen,” she mutters. “I mean, you’re wearing a bow tie.”
Riccardo clears his throat, and we both look at him. Then he says, “Uncle Dario would like to say a few words.”
I watch as my father-in-law steps up behind the mic, then he grins at my father, “We’re in-laws. How do you like that?”
Uncle Dario has always been like a younger brother to Dad. “Gabriella and I love Rosie, but you, not so much,” Dad calls out.
“Nah, I don’t believe that. You love me,” Uncle Dario says into the mic, then he blows Dad a kiss, and everyone starts chuckling. “Admit it, you can’t live without me.”
“Yeah-yeah,” Dad grumbles. “You know I love you.”
Uncle Dario turns to look at me. “And now I get to call this amazing man you raised my own.” And just like that, emotions ripple through the room. “Enzo, you are the only one I ever wanted by my daughter’s side. From the moment I first saw her following you around like a shadow, my heart begged and prayed to all that would listen, you would be slapped upside the goddamn head because…” he gestures at Rosie, “Just look at her. She’s my whole heart walking around outside my chest, and there isn’t another man in this world I would trust with her the way I trust you. So thank you for finally getting your head out of your ass, because the rest of us have been waiting for this day for a very long time.”