Silent Vows

25

Nothing these vapid women said should have mattered, but I couldn’t help my need to defend myself and the relationship. Surprisingly enough, someone else beat me to it. A third voice pipped up as the stall next to mine swung open. “What’s icky is the sound of one woman tearing down another when she’s obviously in a tough position already. In this day and age, we should be supporting one another, not stabbing each other in the back.” SENSING MY MOMENT HAD ARRIVED, I used the pause created by her reprimand to exit the stall with my shoulders squared. Their eyes were instantly on me, but I didn’t acknowledge any of them. Instead, I applied a perfect coat of crimson lipstick in the most seductive manner possible, gave my lips one good smack, then shot a wink at my audience in the mirror before walking out. I’d never felt so triumphant and wrecked at the same time. Everything about my display had been on point. I’d never appeared more confident. But on the inside, I was a rattled mess. When the time came, what exactly would Conner want from me as his wife? The wedding night and weeks thereafter were intimidating enough, but what about five and ten years from then? Would we ever form any true connection? Did I care? I imagined seeing Conner return home late at night, a touch of unfamiliar lipstick staining the skin on his neck. Scalding anger seared upward from beneath my asymmetric neckline. I didn’t want my husband f*****g other women. Why? Because of the embarrassment it would cause, of course. My stomach churned with uncertainty. Embarrassment was part of the reason but not the whole picture. I hated to admit it, but I didn’t want him to stray because I wanted him to want me. Hell, I’m in trouble. All I should have wanted was for Conner to leave me alone. To live out our lives peaceably in parallel worlds that rarely intersected. But that wasn’t the case. I wanted more from him, which meant I was opening myself up to heartbreak. “Hey, wait a sec,” called the woman who had supported me in the bathroom. She had rushed out after me and was hurrying to catch up with me. www.ajpdf.com When I turned, she grinned broadly with crimson lips even brighter than mine and eyes so green, mine paled in comparison. She was absolutely stunning. She held out her hand to shake. “Sorry about that. I got a little fired up. My name’s Giada. Giada Genovese. I’m Conner’s half sister. And don’t mind those shrews. They’re just jealous. My sisters are just over there, and they’d love to meet you if you have a minute.” If I wasn’t already mute, I’d have been rendered speechless. Half sister? I wasn’t sure if I was more overwhelmed by her boisterous personality or the fact of who she was. The Genoveses were Italian. How did Conner have an Italian half sister? I nodded dazedly, stumbling alongside her when she took my arm and towed me toward a table in the back of the room. “Cam and Val, look who I found.” Giada grinned. “Noemi, this is Camilla and Valentina, my two younger sisters.” I nodded to each and smiled. More demure than the eldest, the two younger women greeted me with kind eyes and a gentle wave. “It wasn’t that long ago we discovered we had a brother, and now we get a sister-in-law, too! Crazy times, right?” Giada rambled. “We’ll definitely have to get together. I don’t know many people in the Moretti family, so you’ll have to introduce us, though I’m not sure how much Conner wants us all around. It’s all kind of new. Mom’s around here somewhere. I’m sure she’d love to meet you, too.” My eyes flitted to each of them, trying to figure out what on earth she was talking about. Before I could get out my notepad to start asking questions, the blond sister spoke up. “There’s time for that later, G. For now, I bet Noemi has guests to get back to. We don’t want to monopolize her time.” “Of course, sorry. I get carried away. It’s really lovely to meet you, and congratulations!” She pulled me into a quick hug, surprising me yet again. I waved to the three of them before turning away to find my table. I was so disoriented that I hardly remembered making my way back to my family. “Hey, Em. You hanging in there?” Pip asked cheerily. When I turned to meet her gaze, I couldn’t eradicate the dismay widening my eyes. “Oh, sweetie. It’s going to be okay—all of it. Everything.” She paused, studying me. “Is it the party … or is it him that’s worrying you?” I just stared at her, unable to untangle my own chaotic thoughts. www.ajpdf.com She grimaced, seeming to understand. “It’s a lot. And I never should have told you about the burning man. That’s just this life, you know that, right? Just because he lights people on fire doesn’t mean he’s going to hurt you.” Pip didn’t realize how right she was, except it was me he lit on fire every time he was near, and that was exactly how I’d end up hurt. Oh, the irony. I huffed with a silent chuckle. Pip smiled, relieved. “Come on. Let’s grab a couple of mimosas. That will make us both feel better.” I nodded, letting her lead me back to the center table before she disappeared in search of drinks. My emotions must have still been lingering on the surface because Aunt Etta also asked if I was okay the second she saw me. I took out my notepad. Does Conner have Italian half sisters? I peered at her questioningly. “Did no one tell you?” she asked, brows knitted together. I shook my head. “He was adopted. It all came out in the open just recently. I don’t know the details, really, just that Mia Genovese was his birth mother.” My head tipped back slowly with understanding before I scribbled again. I just met his three sisters. I was confused. She chuckled. “I suppose that’s understandable.” She took my hand in hers. “Hey, I realized we never talked about getting you a dress. I don’t know how we overlooked it. You want to go tomorrow?” I smiled warmly and nodded. Her answering grin was so heartwarming it could have brought back the dead. “Perfect. I’ll set up an appointment as soon as we’re done here today.” I nodded and gave her a hug. If I had to lose my mom, there was no better substitute than her twin sister. Being around my aunt these past few days made me realize how cruel it had been for my father to keep us apart for so long. I needed this. I needed her and all the strength her love provided. Another hour later, I spotted a familiar set of warm brown eyes across the room when the party was finally winding down. Grinning, I hurried over to where Sante leaned against the wall and wrapped him in a crushing hug. “Whoa, little big. Easy there.” The second he had sprouted taller than me, he started to call me his little big sister. I loved it, and hearing the endearment only made me hug him tighter.