Page 64 of My Big Fat Italian Break-Up

‘I had to do something. I was going crazy,’ I admitted.

‘I’ll make it up to you, sweetheart,’ Julian promised, moving to stand behind me as I was changing into my nightgown, his reflection infinitely more pleasing than mine in the mirror as he wrapped his arms – his very long arms – around me, lacing his fingers over my levitating midriff and gently drawing me back against his chest. ‘The wedding, my absences, the locusts, everything.’

Now that the decision to forgo the riding school had been made, he seemed much more relaxed. At least one of us was on the up and up.

‘It’s not your fault,’ I assured him.

‘How about we just go ahead and do it when I get back from my next trip?’

‘What?’

‘We’ll just book a normal restaurant, get Padre Adolfo in and get it done.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Of course. You already have everything else ready.’

‘So you’re ready to marry me, just like that? Anywhere we can find?’

‘Of course. Who cares if it’s a restaurant and not a fancy place? All I want is you, Erica.’

If I’d cared before, now I was past that. All I wanted was to marry the guy, already.

‘So if I can book Padre Adolfo, we’re in?’

‘Absolutely.’

‘You’ve got yourself a deal!’

Julian kissed my ear, nibbling lightly. ‘Have I told you lately how sexy you are? Mind-blowingly sexy.’

‘OK, you don’t need to overdo it,’ I warned with a resigned chuckle, placing my hands over his and craning my neck backward to let him kiss me in what could only be classified as aTitanickiss.

If you haven’t already tried it during the movie craze when people were re-enacting the famous scene and consequently falling off boats all over the world, try it now, even without the ship. You don’t need it if you have a man who rocks your world and blows your insecurities way out the water.

‘What?’ Julian said. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

‘I love you, Julian.’

He reached down and pulled my hand to his lips. ‘I love you more,’ he whispered back. ‘Now pull on some clothes.’

‘Don’t you usually say the opposite at this point?’

‘Not this time, love.’

I shrugged. ‘OK. Where are we going?’

Julian was grinning at me, his dark eyes mischievous, and something inside me twisted. God, I really did love this guy.

‘To celebrate.’

‘But, Warren and Maddy…’

‘I’ve got a sitter.’ He winked. ‘I’m taking you to your favorite restaurant.’

‘L’Archetto? The one that servespane Arabo?’

‘The very one.’