The skirt was a filmy chiffon that fell from the waist and floated around her legs. Lace made up the bodice and short sleeves. Instead of a veil or a bouquet, she wore a garland of white roses and a single strand of pearls with matching earrings that had been delivered that morning by courier. Vincenzo’s prewedding gift.
Filippa had helped her put them on and handed her the enclosed card.
Ti amo, squisita.
You are my treasure.
The little makeup she wore was ruined by her tears, and she had to rush to repair the damage.
Gemma had wanted a simple wedding outfit that would still look bridal. If they’d been getting married in front of several hundred people, she would have chosen a long dress with a train and veil. But she was happy with their perfect little wedding.
Dimi took pictures with his camera first. Gemma insisted on taking some of him. Within minutes he helped her into the back of the limousine, where her mother was waiting in an ivory lace suit and pearls. Then he assisted Filippa.
He looked marvelous in a dark blue suit with a white rose in the lapel. Her friend wore a pale pink silk sheath with a corsage of pink roses and looked stunning.
As the limousine drove away, Gemma looked across at Dimi. She squeezed her mother’s hand. “I’ve been thinking back through the years when we were just little children.”
“Now you’re all grown up.” Mirella smiled at them.
“I can’t believe this is really happening, Mamma.”
Dimi grinned. “Neither can my cousin. He’s been waiting for this day for so long, I hope he’s still holding it together. I told his friends to do whatever was necessary to help him make it through to the four o’clock ceremony. It’s your fault he’s in this state, Gemma.”
“I’ve been in a state since I applied for a job at the castello, battling my old demons.”
“Vincenzo and I know all about those. But yours are gone, right?”
Filippa spoke for her. “I can promise you that my dear Gemma is the most divinely happy woman on the planet. I ought to know. For the last nine years I’ve listened to her pain over losing Vincenzo.”
“Oh—” Mirella threw her hands in the air. “I prayed every night the pain would stop.”
Gemma’s friend chuckled. “The minute I heard he was alive and back at the castello, I actually sent up a special prayer of thanksgiving.”
Dimi nodded. “I did the same thing when he told me you’d applied for the pastry chef position. It was your recipes, Mirella, that put Gemma over the top with Vincenzo’s partners. Do you know that from the moment he arrived in New York, I’ve heard nothing but grief from him where Gemma was concerned? Today I’m the happiest man on the planet to know that this torturefest is about to be over.”
The four of them laughed.
“I love Vincenzo so much. When he walked in the office, I almost fainted.”
Dimi leaned forward and patted her hand. “When you two met, we couldn’t have been more than four or five. Even then it was as if no one else existed. He followed you around like a puppy dog. You teased him and provoked him, but he just kept coming.”
“He teased me back constantly. His growls were terrifying when he chased me around the old ruins. I laughed until I fell down and couldn’t catch my breath. Every day when I woke up, I knew I was going to see him and there’d be a new adventure. Nothing else mattered.
“But I want you to know something, Dimi. I loved you, too. So did Bianca. I don’t think there were four happier children anywhere.”
“I agree. What I want to know is, are you ready to be chased around the castello’s secret corridors and chambers for the rest of your life?”
“Yes. I can’t wait!”
“Gemma!” Mirella cried, but she knew her mother was only pretending to be shocked.
“I’m warning you. He hasn’t outgrown certain tendencies.” His wicked smile reminded her of the old Dimi.
“Neither have I, but don’t you dare tell him.”
When she looked out the tinted windows, she realized the limousine had pulled up in front of the castello steps. She gripped her mother’s hand. “This is it.”
Dimi got out and held the door open for the three of them. “Be sure you want to go inside, Gemma,” he teased. “Because when you do, you’ll never be the same again.”
“I know.” She gave him a hug. “I’ll be Signora Gagliardi. Don’t have a heart attack, Mamma.”
Her mother only laughed, the most wonderful sound Gemma had ever heard from her parent. eh.
“Well, here goes!” She took off alone and rushed up the steps, breathless to find Vincenzo, who was inside waiting for her. Never had there been a bride as eager as she to seal her fate.
Cesare stood at the entrance in a becoming tan suit. He too wore a white rose in his lapel. “Your husband-to-be has asked me to do the honors and escort you to the chapel.” He kissed her on both cheeks.
“Thank you so much.”
He gave her his arm and they walked through several long corridors to reach that part of the castello. “I had no idea when I interviewed you that you were the person who ruined every woman for Vincenzo all those years ago.”
“That’s not quite true. I know of one special woman, very recently in fact.”
He shook his head. “No, no. If she’d been the one, he would have brought her with him. Did you know he wanted you to stay in the tower room of the former principessa?”
Warmth traveled up her neck to her cheeks. That had been her favorite room in the whole castello. “He was only joking.”
Cesare laughed. “Denial becomes you.”
They reached the closed chapel doors, where Takis stood, dressed in a beige suit, also wearing a white rose. He hugged her before Dimi introduced Filippa and Gemma’s mother to the other men.
Cesare gave her a special smile. “So you’re the mamma responsible for raising our new executive pastry chef. She gave all the credit to you on her résumé. I understand why. The pastry she made for us was beyond compare. I’m honored to meet you.” So saying, he gave her a kiss on both cheeks. Gemma loved him for showing her mother such deference.
Dimi turned to Filippa. “This is where I leave you to join Vincenzo, but Takis will take good care of you.” Dimi’s gaze swerved to Gemma’s. “You’re sure you want to go through with this?”
“Dimi—” she cried softly in exasperation.
“Just checking.”
He took more pictures of all of them, then folded her mother’s arm over his and they moved inside the
