Alessia (The Casella Cousins Book 4) Read online

  Chapter 3

  * * *

  Alessia peered out the curtain of a large anteroom in the back of St. Mary’s, the orthodox Polish church in Brooklyn that Paul’s family belonged to. Julianne and Seth agreed to the location, thinking that since they had no specific religious affiliation, it would fine to be married in the Covitz church.

  The pews were starting to fill up. She scanned who was already here. Oh, how sweet. Millie Morrison, Finn’s fiancé sat with Bridget, as Finn was Hayley Best Person. She’d come in wearing a gorgeous navy dress, with lacy cutout on the top. The small group took up only three pews on either side of the aisle.

  Someone came through the double doors from the narthex. And Alessia sighed. Derek. He wore a dark suit and his often-tousled hair was combed. His presence was commanding as he took a seat in the back.

  From behind her, Kate asked, “Who’s the hunk?”

  “Hmm, my date.”

  She pulled Alessia away from the ajar door and closed it. “Ali has a plus one,” she announced to the two brides and Liliana.

  “Do tell,” Julianne said.

  “Today isn’t about me. You look beautiful, Jules.” Seth’s fiancé had chosen a tea-length taupe dress with a lacy top and long sleeves. Her hair had been curled and fell softly around her face. Her stomach showed no signs of pregnancy.

  “You too, Hayley.” Her cousin had picked a deep pink dress, also calf length and lacy. But hers was strapless.

  Hayley’s face glowed from her three-month pregnancy. “I hope I can do this without barfing.”

  Julianne squeezed Hayley’s hand. “I’m sorry you have morning sickness.”

  “No worries. I’m getting very happy about this unexpected little darling I’m carrying.”

  They turned to Alessia. Hayley asked, “Who is he?”

  “Someone I met at City College.”

  “Wait till he sees you in that dress,” Julianne added. “You outshine even us brides.”

  For some reason, the chic maroon high-neck halter dress, belted at the waist with chiffon over silk material accented all of Alessia’s assets. Secretly, Alessia was thrilled by how she looked. The dress was lovely, and she’d pulled back her hair with rhinestone clips and the rest curled down her back.

  “I’ll never outshine you. Lil looks great, too.”

  Liliana, Julianne’s sister, wore a mauve, strapless high-waist dress of the same material as Julianne’s.

  And seven-month pregnant Kate glowed in an empire-waist, floor-length chiffon of deep auburn.

  Geez, there were three pregnant women in this room.

  A knock on the door. Alessia opened it.

  Finn, looking the most handsome she’d ever seen in a raven tux, pristine white shirt. “Rafe and I are ready.”

  Finn was his sister’s attendant and would walk her down the aisle. Hayley had asked Ronan and he’d refused. If Alessia ever got to talk to him, she was going to give him a piece of her mind.

  “Is Gideon ready?” Julianne asked. He would be her escort.

  “Yes.”

  Finn stepped back, but was replaced by another man. Alessia sucked in a breath—and pushed the door wide open.

  Ronan stepped inside. “You look perfect,” he said to his sister.

  Who immediately started to cry. “You came?”

  “Sorry I caused you some heartbreak. But yeah, I came.”

  She hugged him fiercely. Alessia got teary-eyed too.

  After the reunion, they all lined up according to wedding party. Finn and Alessia, Hayley’s people, went first. Then Hayley and Ronan. As they walked down the aisle, Alessia heard a few gasps, then some murmurs, probably at Ronan’s presence. He took his place with Paul’s two brothers. All three Covitz men had the same dark hair and startling blue eyes.

  When they lined up on one side, where the groom’s attendants stood, Liliana and Kate, proceeded down the aisle, then Julianne began the trek on Gideon’s arm.

  When they reached the front, Gideon kissed her cheek and went to stand with Rafe and Kate.

  The officiator, a happy-looking young priest, addressed the guest. “Welcome all of you to this glorious day. We’ve come to unite two couples in holy matrimony. The joy they feel permeates the entire church and I’m utterly pleased to marry them.”

  He moved to stand in front of Hayley and Paul. Finn took her bouquet and the bride and groom faced the priest. “Hayley, would you recite your vows, please?”

  Hayley stood proudly in front of her groom. “Dearest Paul, today I’ll become joined with you forever. As we begin our personal lives together, I promise to love you with all my heart and soul and to accept you for who you are.” She touched her stomach. “I promise to have our babies and work beside you in our firm with joy and enthusiasm. You mean more to me than I can express.”

  Then Paul spoke. Or tried to speak. Tears coursed down his cheeks and Hayley wiped them away. Finally, he was able to get out his vows.

  The minister asked them to exchange rings, then said, “I now pronounce you wife and husband.”

  Chuckles rumbled through the group at the word reversal.

  The priest moved to stand on the other side of them, Kate took Julianne’s flowers, and Julianne turned to her groom. “Seth, you’re my soulmate and have been since childhood. We have so many memories to share from our past, and as I think about the future, I promise to love you fully, and respect your individuality. I promise to stand by you always—always—through the good and the bad, and will cherish raising our children together. Know that I’ll always be here for you.”

  Seth began, but like Paul, he too couldn’t speak for a moment. Then he made promises to Julianne and they exchanged rings. Again, the priest said, “I pronounce you wife and husband.”

  The guests clapped for the couples.

  Paul grabbed Hayley and kissed her enthusiastically. Seth took his time, but their kiss went on longer. When they headed down the aisle, Kate linked arms with Rafe, Liliana did the same with Gideon. Alessia was escorted by her cousin Ronan. He whispered. “Hi, kiddo.”

  She kissed his cheek.

  Derek gave her a wink when she passed him.

  What a wonderful day it was already.

  * * *

  Derek waited in the large narthex of the church where everyone had been told to meet and greet the new brides and grooms. As the guests formed a small group, he should spot Alessia easily. When she walked out on the arm of Ronny Case, she surveyed the small group and crossed right to him. Her eyes were shining.

  Grasping his arm, she gave him another peck on the cheek. “Hello.”

  “Hello.” Briefly he touched her bare shoulder. “You look like a super model, Alessia.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled broadly. “I said you didn’t need to come to the wedding itself.”

  “First, I live in Brooklyn,” the location of the service. “And second, I wouldn’t have missed that event for the world. What an absolutely uplifting ceremony.”

  “It was. All four of them deserve their happiness.”

  “So, you told me.” He watched her. “What was your wedding like?”

  “Much different, but the tenor was the same. Happy and optimistic for the future.”

  “Different, how?”

  “It was in a church, of course, but the reception took place in the backyard of my parents’ house. Family and neighbors provided the food. Billy and I had spent what little money we had to buy a small house on the same street as our family home. We didn’t want my parents to mortgage that house to give us the traditional, expensive wedding.” She smiled wistfully. “We didn’t care about all that. We were only nineteen, and grateful to finally be married. We’d dated since freshman year in high school.”

  “Ah, a real romance.”

  “Like on TV.”

  Someone touched her shoulder. “The limo’s leaving, Ali,” another bridesmaid informed her.

  Derek stepped back. “Go ahead I’ll meet you there.”

 
“Or, you could ride with your friend…”

  “Derek Davison, this is Liliana Ford, the sister of one of the brides.”

  “Hello. And Alessia should ride with the wedding party.”

  “All right.” She took his hand and squeezed it. “Make sure you come out.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  When they left, Derek made his way to his car. He’d almost gotten to it when someone caught up to him. “Hold on a sec.”

  Derek stopped and turned. Ronan, Alessia’s cousin.

  “You’re Ali’s plus one.”

  “I am. Derek Davidson.” He’d already recognized the guy. “You’re the movie star she told me about.”

  “Was.” Ronan studied his face. Scanned him up and down. “I won’t keep you. I wanted to introduce myself to you.”

  Check me out, you mean.

  “Nice to make your acquaintance.”

  The man hurried off.

  Now that was odd. Besides his movie career, the other thing Alessia told him about her cousin was that he’d disappeared from their lives twenty years ago.

  * * *

  “This is a glorious day, don’t you think, Sis?” Seth and Julianne were making the rounds to talk to the guests at the cocktail hour. They both radiated happiness.

  “More than.”

  Alessia focused on Julianne. “You?”

  “I couldn’t be happier.” She kissed Seth’s cheek. “Seems like we’ve been waiting for this day since we were five.”

  They’d gone through some hard times with Julianne’s stalking and Seth’s issues with cheating. Few people knew about the latter.

  “What’s with the guy you invited?” Seth asked. “We saw you talking to him in the narthex. Is he a friend?”

  “More than that. But we can catch up later.”

  Rafe strode over. “Seth, you need to mingle more.”

  Seth rolled his eyes. “Still bossing me around, aren’t you, man?”

  “Yep.”

  The three of them left.

  Alessia smiled when Finn and Millie joined her. “Hey, there, cuz.” Finn leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You look like a movie star, too.”

  A supermodel and a movie star? In one day? Wow.

  Finn’s blue eyes were darker than Derek’s. Coupled with his blond hair, he was striking. “You’re more handsome than ever.”

  Millie leaned into him. “I think so, too.” She lifted her chin and boasted, “And it’s because of me.”

  “I’d tease her, if it wasn’t so true. I’m more relaxed about everything, sleeping well…” Alessia saw him squeeze Millie’s waist “…and enjoying every minute of my life.”

  “That’s terrific. I’m so glad you’re together.”

  “Some of it’s due to you, sweetie,” Finn told her. “You gave me good advice.”

  Millie looked around. “Where’s the hunk from the wedding?”

  “He’s on his way.”

  Finn studied her. “Your eyes light up at the mention of him.”

  “Oh, God, is it that obvious?”

  “Yes. Before he gets here, I want to thank you for the place settings. We walked through the dining room when we got here. How come you didn’t put me with the Wicked Witch of the West?”

  “Finn, she’s your mother.” Millie chided him but Alessia knew Bridget hadn’t been at all nice to her.

  “Derek and I did the charts together. Long story how and why. He suggested we do it randomly. He also said he didn’t want to ruin the wedding for you two.”

  “I’m going to like that man.”

  “I hope so. I want him in my life, Finn.”

  “Then make sure it happens.”

  Those were words to remember.

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes later, Derek walked into the plush interior of The Pine Grove Inn. He’d read up on the place. A 37-room inn, once a hotspot for the likes of Frank Sinatra, was up on a hill overlooking snow-covered grounds. Halfway between Hidden Cove and Brooklyn, it was ideal for both families. The rooms were well stocked, with a mini-bar, a soaking tub, and fridge for food and drink. It boasted 400-count sheets.

  Not that he planned to see any of those rooms tonight. As appealing as Alessia Benatti looked in that dress the color of good cabernet, hitting the sheets with her was out of the question. He was already going to face consequences for attending this private event with her.

  The restaurant was up ahead and he started toward it when another man came up to him. “You’re Ali’s date.” Hell, her posse was big.

  “Her plus one. Derek Davidson.”

  “Rafe Casella.”

  “The oldest brother. And brave firefighter.”

  “Uh-huh. Come on, I’ll walk with you into the restaurant. “So, Derek what do you do?”

  “I’m getting my teaching degree at City College.”

  “Pretty late in the game, isn’t it?”

  “I’m only thirty-seven, but I had a career previously. I saved my money and quit so I could go back to school.”

  “I see.”

  He quirked a smile. “Any other questions?”

  “I know you have twin girls.”

  Damn, the lies extended to everybody. “They’re a handful. They’re with grandparents tonight. We all live in Brooklyn.”

  Rafe stopped at the entrance. “One last thing?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t hurt Alessia or I’ll break both your legs.”

  Captain Rafe Casella didn’t realize he’d threatened a federal officer. Despite that, Derek liked him for his protectiveness.

  Alessia joined the two of them just inside the door. Again, the way that dress clung to her under the outer layer, something frothy, and hooked around her neck, made his mouth water. He tried not to drool in front of the two of them. She gave Rafe an askance look, then took Derek’s hand and led him into the private room with a wall of windows overlooking the treed lot. Crystals of snow fell down their branches.

  “Sorry about that,” she whispered.

  “What?”

  “My brother. You’ll probably hear from the other two, also.”

  “I’m a big boy. I can take it.”

  He looked at her hair. Off her face, it fell in fat curls down her back. She wore makeup he’d never seen her in. “You look lovely, Alessia. I know I said that at the church, but it bears repeating.”

  “Thank you. So, do you, in a suit.”

  A waiter came toward them, carrying wine. “Would you like a drink?”

  “Sure.”

  She took white, he preferred red.

  “Did you cry?” he asked.

  “No. I rarely cry when I’m happy. Both couples deserve their life together. Besides, my brother will move in with Julianne, so we’ll all be on the same street now.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. Billy and I bought a house two down from Mom, Rafe built his six years ago a couple down from me. Julianne and now Seth live next door on the other side.”

  “What about the other one? Gideon?”

  “His house is, well, was at the end of the block, but after he divorced, Lisa and the kids live there alone.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “No sadness tonight.”

  After they chatted for fifteen more minutes, they were called to be seated. On the way to their table, he leaned in and whispered, “How do you think our seating arrangement will go over?”

  “The only wild card is Bridget.”

  They found their spots and took chairs. Introductions were made of the people who’d already arrived. Two of the groom’s sisters and one husband. Alessia’s brother Gideon. And Anabelle Sanders. They chatted a bit then Gideon asked, “Do we have two empty seats?”

  “Well,” Alessia told them. “I added one for Ronan but Hayley just told me he isn’t staying for the reception.”

  Before the other vacant seat could be explained, Bridget Sullivan walked up to the table. Alessia’s aunt, the dif
ficult one, was dressed in a tailored teal blue suit. Her mouth thinned and her brow furrowed as she scanned the table. “This is unacceptable,” she said, still standing. “I’d like to be with my son, Finn.”

  Gideon stood and pulled out her chair. “Aunt Bridget, the table seatings were drawn out of a hat. No one is allowed to change.”

  She stared over at the first table. “Finn shouldn’t be with his aunt. He should be with me.”

  “I’m sorry, Aunt Bridget,” Alessia put in. “These are the seatings.”

  A scowl that would scare little children came over her face. “Well, I certainly won’t beg.” Clutching her purse, her head held high, she walked away. Derek and Alessia turned to see her go out the door.

  “Poor Hayley.” This from Gideon.

  Alessia commented, “Poor Finn and Millie.”

  A clink of glasses came from the head table. The brides and grooms kissed, then Paul, groom number one, stood. “May I have your attention please.”

  Seth stood, too.

  And the festivities began.

  * * *

  “Would you like to dance, Alessia?” Derek asked, surprising her. She’d been invited out to the floor by others during the evening, but he sat by and talked to Paul’s family or watched from the sidelines. For some reason, she felt uncomfortable asking him for a spin around the room.

  “I’d love to.” They stood, and he took her hand, led her to the floor. His palm was warm and his grip firm. He went with tradition and circled one arm around her back, the other holding her hand. Some couples danced with arms looped around each other.

  She laid one hand on his shoulder and felt his muscles bulge.

  A foot apart, they began to move. She could tell by the smoothness of his steps and how he twirled her away that he knew how to dance. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?”

  “Very much so.”

  “What was the best part of the day?”

  He drew her a bit closer. “Seeing you in that dress.”

  Alessia felt her face flush. “Why, thank you.”

  They moved slowly. With every few steps, he eased her to him until they were flush with each other’s bodies. She laid her head on his chest. Felt his heart beat. He smelled like expensive cologne. And Alessia let herself cuddle in. She thought she heard him sigh.