“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 teleconference.”
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.
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