A hand pressed against her shoulder. “Julianne...um, Jules, are you okay?”
She nodded and blinked, tucking her emotions into that trusty box she’d been using since the days of being shuttled in and out of foster homes. She swallowed down the lump in her throat, hoping that when she spoke her voice wouldn’t waver. “I’m fine.”
“Why don’t you go inside? I’m sure Lizzie is anxious to see you. I’ll grab your luggage and meet you in there.”
She agreed and made her way inside. The restaurant was quite large, and a wall of photos was the first thing to grab her attention. There were framed photos of various sizes and all manner of frames starting at the ceiling and trailing down to the floor. As she passed by, she noticed some famous faces. Wow! This place must be really upscale.
“Jules, is that you?” Lizzie came rushing toward her.
In no time, they were wrapped in each other’s arms. It felt so good to be with her sister again. They both started to talk at once. It wasn’t until they glanced around and saw Dante and Stefano observing them with amusement dancing in their eyes that both women realized their lack of manners.
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 teleconferenc
e.”
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.
Harlequin Romance April 2015 Box Set Page 39