Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I will if it’s what you want.”
Gina steps closer to me. “I don’t want that. I don’t care if the entire world knows we’re married, Daniel. I do care about my family. I want to tell them before they see or read about it from anyone else.”
I glance at my watch. “Rochelle said she’ll sell that picture to RumorMel if I don’t send her something tonight.”
“I don’t even know if RumorMel would be interested in a picture of me getting married.” She laughs softly. “They’ve only posted about me once, and that was to compare my look to an Oscar winning actress. I wore the same outfit she did to a gala.”
I smile. “You looked better that night, Gina.”
She smacks the center of my chest lightly. “You don’t even know what I was wearing or who the actress was.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You always look better than anyone.”
“You think that because you love me.”
“Damn right, I do.” I kiss her forehead. “I will love you for eternity.”
“Regardless of what Rochelle does with that picture, we need to tell my family.” Her bottom lip trembles. “It would break my heart if they heard about it from anyone but me. We should tell them tonight.”
I can’t contain a smile. “Let’s do one better than that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Marry me again tonight, Lawton.” I stare at her. “At Calvetti’s. You’re dressed for it. I look pretty sharp tonight. We’ll pick up some carnations on the way…”
“And a bouquet for my maid of honor?” she asks with hope in her eyes.
“Anything you want, baby.” I take her in my arms. “Are you in?”
“I’m all in,” she answers in a breathy tone. “I’ll post to my socials about us after we renew our vows in front of my family. I want the entire world to know I’m Gina Lawton now.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Gina
As the car we are in heads toward Calvetti’s, I glance at my husband. “I love that you came to Howerton House tonight. It was my birthday wish come true.”
He scoops my left hand in his right.
After Sophia hugged us both and insisted I wear the wedding dress to our renewal ceremony, we went back to our apartment.
I needed my wedding ring, and Daniel wanted to change out his cufflinks for a pair that Marlin had left him. He has kept them close since his father’s death and was wearing them the night we first exchanged vows. It was only fitting that I helped him put them on tonight.
Then, we made a quick stop at a flower boutique owned by Sophia’s sister-in-law, Athena. Sophia had called ahead to tell Athena what we needed for our last minute ceremony. By the time we arrived, two bouquets were waiting for us.
I’m holding tightly to mine. It’s a simple bunch of white carnations tied with a white ribbon. Daniel is cradling the other in his lap.
“I want to make every wish you’ve ever had come true.” He smiles. “Make a list of them, and I’ll make them reality.”
I laugh. “I think you’ve already done that.”
He kisses me softly. “You’ll come up with more.”
As the driver turns the corner, Daniel leans forward to pat his shoulder. “Thanks again for taking time out of your night to do this for us.”
The driver has been an employee of Modica for years. I’ve been with Dominick when he’s driven us around the city. He’s a kind man who agreed without question when Daniel asked him to pick us up at Howerton House.
“Of course, sir,” he offers with a smile in the rearview mirror. “Congratulations seem to be in order.”
“They are,” Daniel affirms. “This beautiful woman has agreed to be my wife for a second time.”
I squeeze my husband’s hand. “I can’t believe we’re getting married again.”
“Believe it, Lawton.” He kisses my hand. “What I can’t believe is all the Calvettis in the five boroughs think they’ve gathered to surprise you for your birthday.”
I laugh. “They’ll be the ones who are surprised when we turn the birthday party into a second wedding.”
“I’ll need a minute with your dad before we start,” he says. “I want Louis to know how much I love you, Gina. How I’ll honor you every single fucking day until I die.”
“My dad will be so happy,” I whisper. “I need a minute, too.”
His gaze drops to the bouquet in his lap. “She’ll be over the moon when you ask her to be your maid of honor.”
A single tear wells in the corner of my eye. “She’s the right choice. She’s the only choice. I can’t wait to have her standing next to me when I marry you again.”
Surprising one Calvetti is a monumental task. Surprising almost all of them is a feat unknown to anyone until this very moment.
Daniel took the lead as we entered the restaurant my grandmother has owned for decades. I was a step behind with my beautiful bouquet of carnations nestled in the cradle of my right arm.