in time.”
Lizzie’s hands settled on her hips. “But they said they wanted the wedding for the show.”
“They said a lot of things, but we can’t do everything. I’m sorry. We’ll have to reschedule the wedding.”
Stefano didn’t want to say that this was an ominous sign—a warning—but he did think it was a chance for his brother to slow down and think through his choices. Still, the crushed look on Lizzie’s face dug at him. They really didn’t deserve so many problems, but it wasn’t as if he could do anything to help.
“Are you saying you don’t want to get married anymore?” Lizzie’s voice wavered.
“Of course I do.” Dante reached out and caressed her now pale cheek. “You know I love you. Maybe we can just make it something quick and simple.”
Jules moved as if to stand up, and Stefano grabbed her arm, stopping her from interrupting. They really needed to figure this out for themselves. Certainly if there was such a serious problem between him and Jules, he’d want to figure it out for himself. Not that they’d ever be planning a wedding or anything.
When Jules’s puzzled gaze turned to him, he shook his head. Her frosted lips pressed into a firm line, and her brows drew together. But she remained seated. Together they waited to see what their siblings would decide.
“But I have my dress picked out.” Lizzie pulled away from Dante. “This isn’t fair. This television show is messing everything up. We should quit.”
“You’re forgetting we signed a contract. And I don’t think you really want to walk away from this. I see how you light up in front of the cameras. You’re a natural.”
Lizzie sighed, and her shoulders slumped. “But it’s our wedding. What are we going to do?”
This time when Jules went to stand up, she gave Stefano the death stare when he reached out to her. Boy, that woman was as stubborn as she was beautiful. What exactly was she going to offer to this conversation? He had to admit that he was quite curious. Still, it wasn’t for them to interfere.
Jules’s mouth started to open, but he beat her to the punch. “Jules and I should be going. Let us know what you decide to do.”
All eyes turned to him. There were also two sets of raised brows and one frown. Everyone’s face held an unspoken accusation. What in the world had he said that was so bad?
“Don’t mind him.” Jules turned her back to him. “We’re here to help you. I think the real question is, do you still want to go through with the ceremony as planned?”
Dante and Lizzie gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Yes.” They spoke in unison.
Somehow that answer did not come as a surprise to him. Love made people do foolish things and gave them the illusion that they could overcome anything. But there were some things in life that even love couldn’t conquer.
“Then let me help.” Jules pressed her hands to her slender hips.
Lizzie raised her brows. “What do you have in mind?”
“Do you trust me?” Jules looked directly at her sister.
“Of course.”
“Good. Then let me take over your wedding for you. All you’ll have to do is your final dress fitting and make sure you show up for the ceremony.” Jules grinned at her sister, lightening the mood.
“But there’s so much to do. We couldn’t ask you to do it all yourself—”
“Why not? I am the maid of honor, you know. And this isn’t my first time helping with a wedding. And you know how I enjoy organizing things.”
Lizzie turned a questioning gaze to Dante. “What do you think?”
He shrugged. “Whatever makes you happy is fine by me.”
Lizzie turned to Jules. “You’d really do this for us?”
“Consider it my wedding gift.”
“And,” Dante piped up, “I’m sure my brother can give you lots of help. He has great taste. Isn’t that right, Stefano?”
All eyes turned to him. Stefano struggled not to choke on his own tongue. They wanted him to help with the wedding preparations? Were they serious? “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
That response only succeeded in gaining him yet another round of frowns. He swallowed hard while keeping his chin high. He knew he was fighting a losing battle, but he just wasn’t ready to concede to picking out flowers and whatever else went into a wedding.
Dante walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. “This experience will do you good. Maybe it’ll give you some new ideas for your wine-tasting events.”
Stefano resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His brother was really digging deep to come up with ideas of why he should waste his time planning some froufrou event. But he knew better than to vocalize his thoughts. He had no doubt that Jules and Lizzie would pounce on him like two lionesses going after fresh meat. Inwardly, he cringed at the thought.
“And what do you expect me to do about work at the vineyard while I’m out planning your nuptials?”
“I’m sure Papa won’t mind taking over the vineyard in your absence.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said that. What do you know that I don’t?”
“He’s hinted that he’s feeling a bit left out. Ever since Gianna’s accident...well, um, you’ve been doing more and more of the work.”
“And he told you this?” Then it all clicked into place. He recalled how Dante and their father had repaired their strained relationship. Their father must have confided his true feelings to Dante.
“All I’m saying is that you don’t have to worry about the vineyard—it’ll be handled. And I’m sure you don’t want Jules to have to rely on public transportation when time is so vital.”
Didn’t his brother understand that it wasn’t just the work? Planning a wedding would bring back unwanted memories. Thinking of Gianna still brought with it a truckload of guilt. If he hadn’t married her and if he hadn’t been expecting a life like the one his mother and father shared—a traditional lifestyle with the man working in the fields and the wife at home tending to the children—then maybe they wouldn’t have started fighting. Maybe then she wouldn’t have torn off in an angry huff that stormy night...
“I know Stefano won’t let us down,” Dante said confidently. “He’s always there when the family needs him.”
No, he wasn’t. Otherwise he’d have been there for Gianna. But that was beside the point right now.
And so was how he felt about his brother tempting fate with this wedding. The only truly important thing now was that his brother was counting on him and he couldn’t let him down. It’d been a long time since Dante had asked him for anything.
“Yeah,
