I grinned. “I’m great, Mrs. Reed.”
“That’s good to hear.” She pulled Luca into another hug.
Mark came over and shook Luca’s hand. “You and Magnolia seem close.”
I let out a nervous giggle as Luca nodded. “We’re seeing each other now.”
His mom squealed and pulled me in for a hug. I returned her bone-crushing embrace and she patted my hair. “I’m so happy Luca’s finally settling down.”
Mark offered a half-smile with a hint of caution to his voice. “Just be careful with this one. He’s too wild to tame.”
Jess slapped her husband’s chest.
“I think Magnolia’s won his heart. Isn’t that right, son?” Joseph asked.
Luca nodded. “She definitely has.”
I leaned up and pecked him on the cheek.
“They’ve been into each other forever. Weddings are known to bring people together.” Faith winked. “Let’s go over everything for tomorrow.”
The grueling hour that followed consisted of every second of the wedding, before and after. The first thing in the morning would be hair, makeup and getting dressed. As the bridal party got ready, the Vendors would set up. Ten-thirty was when photos would be taken. Twelve-thirty the doors open and guests pile in. The ceremony starts at one-fifteen and should end at one-thirty-five. More photos follow, and then the reception starts at two-thirty and doesn’t end until seven-thirty with a shit ton of things in between.
Tomorrow was going to be a hell of a long day, but definitely worth it for Faith and Asher. During the meeting, Luca was withdrawn, and I’d figured what his dad said to him was starting to fester.
Asher clapped his hands. “Alright, go enjoy the beach. The weather’s finally cleared up. We’ll meet at the Pavilion at two for the festival.”
Luca bolted out of the room before I had a chance to get out of my chair. Faith wrapped an arm around me. “His dad has a way of really getting under his skin. Go after him.”
I nodded before I rushed out of the room. I had to find Luca.
Day Five
10 AM - 1 PM - Free Time
My father had a knack for bringing my fears to the surface. My resentment for him was nothing but a transformation of my own shame and insecurity. I hated that I was his son. He was a man that passed down so many fucking traits to me. How was I able to be confident that I wouldn’t hurt Mags? I lacked the courage to try with her until just last night, and here I was already second-guessing myself. It was easier to lose myself in the theatrics of my mind than it was to swallow the truth.
That fear of not being good enough spread throughout my body, shutting down any other feeling. Self-hatred became a sickness of the mind and of the heart. I’d come to know that well from the past years of being alone. There was no room left for love with that damn mindset. Left unchecked, hate completely poisoned the soul, and that’s what Mags was helping me work through.
But was it fair to drag her down with me?
A knock came from the hotel door, and I knew it had to be Mags. I got up and looked through the peephole to confirm my suspicions before I let her in.
She stormed in like a goddess in her own element. Her eyes blazed as she poked a finger at my chest. “Don’t you fucking dare!”
I rubbed the spot where she jabbed me. “What?”
“You know what!” She threw up her hands. “You’re trying to close me out again, and I’ll be damned if I let that happen.”
I paced the path between the door and the sink on the other side. “You heard what my dad said. What if he’s right? What if I fuck this up and hurt you the same way he hurt Mom?”
She grabbed me, digging her thumbs into my shoulder. “You won’t. You’re a better man than your father.”
“How can you be so sure?” I hung my head. “He’s been reminding me how I’m his fucking clone since I was able to talk.”
She pulled me toward the bed and sat me on the edge of it. She stood in between my legs and wrapped her arms around my neck. I leaned my head forward to rest on her chest. I inhaled the scent of lilies and brine. She reminded me of home, and it scared the shit out of me. “I know you, Luca. Do you not feel the connection we share? You wouldn’t jeopardize it just like I wouldn’t.”
“One day you'll hate me.”
“Why would you say something like that? I like you a lot more than you realize.”
“It's what happens to people when expectations are too high.”
“Damn you, Luca. That's nothing more than a shitty excuse not to try with us.” Her bottom lip quivered as she dropped her voice. “Unless you just don’t want me”
I grabbed her hand and looked in her glassy eyes. “Mags, you’re everything I could ever want in a woman. That’s not the problem.”
“Then what is? You’re just too scared?”
I huffed out the breath I was holding and hoped she could understand what I was trying to say through the intensity of my gaze. “Yes! I care about you, okay? I don’t want to see you hurt. Especially if it’s me hurting you.”
Her eyebrows shot up, and she shook her head. “I can decide who I want to take the chance with. Fuck the consequences. If we don’t work out, so be it. But I want to give it a try. What if we do work out?”
“I just hate the uncertainty,” I rasped.
Her hand caressed my cheek as she brought her lips closer to mine. “Life is uncertain. Sometimes you just have to take a chance. Can you do that for me?”
Fear gripped at my chest, but I nodded. “I’ll try.”
She smiled, closing the distance between
