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Rowan was really getting into it, and as Stef stepped up onto the dais, he continued. “And now! The music is soft, and oh so lilting, as the blushing bride makes her way towards us, and yes! The music reaches its crescendo and the bride steps up. Here, over here, yes, like that!” Rowan directed Esme to stand more toward the front of the dais and gently moved Wolfe into place. “And now, you step over here, you there. You, young lad, next to your sister here. That’s right. Ah yes, the perfect picture of familial bliss. Very moving.”
As if on cue, my mom let out a delicate sob and dabbed at her eyes. It was all I could do not to laugh and, without thinking, I glanced at Stef, just as she raised her eyes to mine. They were dancing with amusement and I smiled. Her lips curved in a soft, answering smile that had my heart lurching. Then it was like she remembered who she was looking at and turned her attention back to Rowan and his instructions.
Her smile slowly faded, and she shifted her weight, wincing a little. After that, I kept my attention on her, noticing how she tried to appear focused but couldn’t quite manage it. More of that shifting of her weight, then a grimace as she raised her hand to her head, pressing her fingers to her temple. It was all pretty subtle, but I caught it. Something just wasn’t right with her and she was trying really fucking hard to hide that fact.
Finally, the rehearsal was over and it was time for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, which were offered by uniform clad waiters carrying silver trays. Stef took a glass of champagne but eyed the trays of food doubtfully, shaking her head when the waiter offered her a plate.
She was running on fumes, and it was painfully obvious to me that something was going to have to give, and soon.
Now, in fact, since Stef put her champagne glass down and without looking at anyone, slipped quietly from the room.
Probably just going to the bathroom, I thought. But minutes went by and she didn’t come back. Worry ate at my guts as I started imagining all the things that could be wrong with her.
My first thought was to let Esme know, but she was with Wolfe, introducing the kids to Caitlyn. The last thing I wanted was to make a big deal of it, draw attention to Stef’s situation. Even though I was likely the last person she’d want to see, there was no one else. And what if she was lying unconscious on the bathroom floor?
That was enough to have me leaving the room to go find her. It was a brief search. She was slumped on the second to last step of the grand staircase, her head in her hands.
“Stefania!” My voice was sharper than I intended. She looked up, startled. And a little frightened.
“What the fuck do you want?”
It was exactly what I’d expected her to say, but the total lack of heat behind the words got me really worried. I needed her to tell me what was wrong. Right fucking now. “You’ve got five seconds to tell me what the fuck is going on, or I’m calling an ambulance.”
“I don’t need an ambulance!” She tried to stand up, but even that effort was too much, and she grabbed the stair railing, dropping back on her ass.
Huffing out a breath and realizing I needed to keep a level head here, I crouched on the floor in front of her. Keeping my tonecalm, I said, “Then talk to me. You can barely stand, Stef. This isn’t normal.”
She looked away, biting her lip. “It’s nothing. Just... tired.”
I studied her closely, seeing the telltale signs of exhaustion. “This is more than just being tired. What’s going on?”
She hesitated, then finally met my gaze, the resignation obvious in her eyes. “It’s CFS.” Her voice was low, and I had to lean in to catch her words.
“As in, chronic fatigue?”
Nodding, she went on, “I’ve pushed a bit too hard these past weeks, that’s all.”
The pieces fell into place—the fatigue, the pain, the forced energy. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t need to. I’m handling it.” Her words sounded hollow and maybe she realized that fact, because she said, “I am!”
I sighed, frustration and concern warring inside me. “You’re not handling it, Stefania. You’re falling apart. And I’m not going to stand by and watch it happen. You need medical attention. Urgently. I’ll?—”
Her eyes widened in fear. “No, please! Don’t tell Esme! If she knows I’m sick, it’ll ruin her wedding, the honeymoon, all of it. I just…I just need to get through tomorrow. Then I can go home, see my doctor, and sleep for a week.” She swallowed heavily. “Please, Grayson…”
Fuck.Looking down at her, sitting so hopelessly on the stairs, begging me. There was no way I could deny her. Scrubbing myhands over my face, I said, “Alright. Just until tomorrow. Then you’ll go home?”
“Yes.”
I stood, offering her my hand and helping her to her feet, just as the ballroom doors were pushed open, and everyone spilled out into the foyer.
“Let’s go to dinner.” Pulling her arm through mine, I felt her lean on me as we made our way to the dining room.
CHAPTER 16
Stefania
This bouquet felt like it weighed a hundred fucking pounds, I swear to god. And the pins that held my hair in a twisty updo were pushing into my scalp so badly I wanted to cry. I stood in front of the ornate wooden doors to the ballroom, tracing the intricate carvings with my eyes, drawing in deep, calming breaths.