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“Hey, I wanted to do that,” Rocco complained, and that made us all laugh at him.
“You laughing at me, too, Bella? Where’s the Marini loyalty?”
I placed my arms around him. “You can fly me around later.”
He gave me one of his fiery looks. “I will.”
We hugged each other, then turned back to Paul and Nadia, who both stared with big smiles.
Nadia came close to me and held me at arms-length, her eyes scanning over my clothes. “This dress looks amazing on you. I mean, wow. You look sensational.” She kissed my cheeks.
I beamed at her. “Thank you. I love it.”
She tilted her head. “Honestly, I wasn’t as sold by this choice. But my friend Xander was right: this style is you. You breathe new life into vintage Eighties.”
I only knew about the Eighties from movies. The actors always had big hair, wore obscene neon, and danced on the street. “That’s great…uhm, tell him I said thank you?”
She chuckled. “Xander meant it in the best way. He’s Eighties obsessed and dying to shop with you. Expect him to drag you through every vintage shop when you visit Paris.”
A wave of excitement rushed through me. Paris was always a dream, but never a place I’d thought I’d go. “Wow, I’d love it.”
“Then we’ll make sure you come and stay a while…You both had a long flight. Are you exhausted?” Her expression changed to concern.
I shook my head no. “We slept most of the way here.”
We both turned towards Rocco and Paul, and they were animated as they chatted. I lingered on Rocco. He looked rested and relaxed, and it pained me to think he’d have his chaotic schedule back. Or did I want the honeymoon to last?
Rocco’s head turned towards me, and he grinned.
My pulse went faster.
“He looks happy,” Nadia said and then squeezed my hand. “You both do.”
I was happier than I’d ever been. “I am happy, Nadia. Rocco’s a wonderful man,” I said, and even I could tell it was said somewhat dreamily.
Nadia smiled. “You married a good one.”
Rocco and Paul joined us.
Paul stepped close and kissed me on both cheeks. “You look beautiful, Adelina. That’s what Rocco calls you…Bella?”
I grinned and ducked my head bashfully. “Yes, he does.”
Rocco placed his hand on my back. “Adelina calls me Superman.”
He loved that nickname.It’ll have to stick.
“That name suits you,” Nadia said, kissing Rocco on the cheeks. “How are you, Mr. Handsome? Or should I dare ask, how was the honeymoon?” She wagged her brows at Paul. He chuckled.
I turned my head to Rocco, and my face burned. He gave me a quick kiss and rubbed my back.
Nadia fanned herself. “Adelina’s expressive. Her face tells us everything we want to know and other things you don’t want to share.”
“Well done,” Paul said, squeezing Rocco’s shoulder.
Rocco winked at me.
The host had covered trays on a cart behind us, waiting to serve.