Page 35 of My Wedding Mafia Style

“Only when it inconveniences dinner,” my father says.

Sofia gives him a look. He takes a sip of his drink.

Nonna points to the sofa opposite her. “Sit, both of you.”

Lucy sits immediately. Survival instinct again. I sit beside her, close enough that our knees nearly touch. Not touching. Not quite. I notice. She notices. Nonna notices. Possibly the crew on the bridge notices, given how my family behaves.

A server appears with fresh drinks and a small tray of fruit, pastries, and something chocolate Isabella reaches for before my mother even looks at her.

“No,” Sofia says.

Isabella withdraws her hand. “I am being oppressed.”

“You are being delayed.”

“Same family of pain.”

Lucy’s mouth twitches. She is trying to behave. She is failing charmingly.

Nonna watches her over the rim of her glass. “Bianca tells me you now know about the Bahamas.”

Lucy’s posture changes. I turn my head slowly toward Bianca. My sister looks suddenly fascinated by a ring on her finger.

Lucy clears her throat. “Yes. I was informed during the fashion portion of the evening.”

“The fashion portion,” Adriana repeats dryly.

“I don’t know what else to call being handed an emerald dress and surprise swimwear by women with very strong opinions.”

Isabella grins. “Fashionisted.”

Lucy points at her. “Exactly. I was fashionisted.”

“That is not a word,” Adriana says.

“It is now,” Bianca replies.

Nonna does not smile, but her eyes gleam. “And what do you think of going to the Bahamas, Lucia?”

Lucy draws in a breath. I prepare to step in. I do not want her cornered. I do not want her pushed into answering in front of my family. I am about to say so when she lifts her chin.

“I think,” she says slowly, “that people with yachts have a very different definition of spontaneous than people without yachts.”

My father laughs first.

ThenBianca.

Then Isabella.

My mother smiles into her wine.

Even Adriana’s mouth curves.

Nonna remains focused on Lucy. “That is true.”

“It’s also true,” Lucy continues, “that I thought I was taking a short cruise. In my world, a short cruise does not usually involve international water, swimwear, or the possibility that my mother will wonder why my phone location is suddenly making ambitious choices.”

I lean closer. “Your phone is with your purse.”