“Stop, please…I can’t handle this.” Lucy begged, holding it all in, as her eyes started to glass with tears.
“It’s true…I love you. Just say the word and I’ll divorce Amelia straight away. I haven’t consummated the marriage because…the thought of her as my wife repulsed me.” He paused, composing himself. “I know this is a lot, especially since I have a kid coming on the way, but I’m f**king dying here, Lucy. When will you stop punishing me for what my family said to you and end my agony?”
“I don’t know.” She looked away.
“Okay. I’m walking away. I’m going to throw everything—every memento I have that reminds me of you—will be thrown out. All I need to hear is for you to tell me that you don’t love me.”
“Easy. I don’t love you!”
Toby swallowed, sighed, toyed with his empty shot glass, before he nodded, lips pressing together. “Mate—you know I’d be here for you, but I hope you understand that I have to leave right now.” He directed Blake, then started to retreat towards the villa.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Lucy stood up, yelling.
Not looking back, he yelled. “Home.” He continued on walking.
Lucy clenched her hands, before she shot back. “London?”
“Spain.” He responded, before completely disappearing inside.
Lucy was shaking, her tears were unstoppable, as she slowly sat back down, looking shocked. Chad was already right next to her, holding her close. “I had sex with him last night. When he kissed me, I forgot the fact that he was married.”
“Lucy, I adore you, but you’re too thick-headed sometimes. If Toby goes back to her and really try to make this marriage work, you’d be in shambles. Is that what you want?” Blake looked at her, frowning, as if he was in pain too.
Instead of responding, Lucy cried harder. Hell. I felt helpless as I watch her.
Out of nowhere, I saw Chad slap Lucy’s cheek. “GET YOUR ASS MOVING AND GET YOUR MAN BACK! GO!”
Lucy stopped crying, shocked, mouth hanging open, unblinking.
Chad looked mad as he placed his hands on her hips and lifted to stand on her feet. “GOOOOO!” he screamed into her face, before she finally snapped out of it and marched indoor.
“You’re going to pay for that!” Lucy threw back, walking ahead.
“It was my pleasure!” Chad laughed and started to fan himself, before he rolled his eyes. “Bitch needed some good slappin’.” He muttered. When he saw Blake and I didn’t say a word, his eyes bulged out. “WHAT? Come on, the woman deserved it. Those two were a pain.” He dramatically sighed and poured each of us a shot. “Can’t believe Toby banged her punani last night. Totally owned it.”
I snorted then I started to laugh. “I knew the crazy was going to come out sooner or later.”
Blake shook his head. “I think I’m more shocked that Lucy didn’t throw her fist and launched herself at you.”
“She knew she needed it. Women! Can’t live with them can’t live without them!” Chad toasted, sounding too serious. “So, when are you guys going to make me an uncle?”
Blake laughed, wrapping his arms around my neck, nibbling my ear. “We need to start practicing, cara.”
“Not again!” I muttered, shoving a truffle in my mouth.
Chad grinned. “What, why you holding out for our man dude? Bang that shit hard!”
I was about to respond to him, before Blake growled and scooped me out of my chair and had me over his shoulder. “Blake!”
“Sorry, but when I heard bang and hard, I was a lost cause. Thanks Chad!” He threw out, almost running towards the house.
“Horny bastards!” Chad threw back.
Blake already had me on top of the bed before I even got a word out. “Goodness, Knightly!”
“I’m not going to have sex until you’re ready, but I needed an excuse to get you alone. I love being with out friends, I want to be with you.” He wrapped his legs with mine, our faces inches apart. “I got a call today. Ivanna confessed everything.” He started, observing me. “She said that Camilla approached her while we were here in Rome, recuperating. Camilla approached Gareth when she heard that he was asking around about who pushed you. Camilla paid off his cousin to shut up, but a little interrogation and sex, she managed to get Gareth open up about his feelings for you. The plan was to let you look like you died, but Gareth was actually going to keep you with him.”
“I don’t know what to say. I trusted him, babe.” The thought of Gareth made me want to hurl. He betrayed me, to think I thought of him as my friend was disturbing.”
“I’m happy to be alive wrapped in your arms.” Blake kissed my nose.
Not a day has passed that I didn’t appreciate the blessings I had. I wasn’t going to take them for granted any longer.
We took another two hours just talking and kissing, until it was time to get ready for Seraphina’s summer dinner party. She invited family and friends who all wanted to see Blake, not to mention, to introduce me as well.
Now dressed, I was ready to go and mingle.
“You look gorgeous.” Blake admired my simple Grecian white dress.
I lovingly looked at him; thankful for each day I got to spend with him after what happened in the hospital. “Blake, thank you for making me feel alive. From the first moment I met you, whenever you’re around, you always tend to give me a panic attack.”
Lucy and Toby emerged together, not looking happy, but not fighting either. I suppose that was a start—they were finally speaking to each other.
The party was held somewhere in the gardens of the palazzo, but it was too far for us to walk, so they provided carts for everyone to be transported.
Chad grinned, happy and drunk. “Amazing. I’m in wonderland.” He was apparently enjoying the siesta all by himself and got merry.
“Wow! You’re aunt is quite grand, isn’t she?” Lucy admired the transformed garden. There were several tents erected and arches of roses intertwined with other blooms circled the area.
Blake nodded, helping me out of the cart. “She is, but I think this is a tad overkill for a summer dinner party with friends and family.”
“She is Italian. The woman got style. She’s awesome.” I laughed, pulling Blake and Lucy on both my sides, walking towards the party. Everything was fine and dandy, until everyone got to see what truly was inside the tents.