Page 55 of Single Malt Drama
“I’m stunned, but I guess I shouldn’t be. Gabe’s a stand-up kinda guy, and the two of you are good together.” I turned to Shanna. “About that cabin…Why isn’t it suitable for kids?”
“It’s deep in the bayou in Terrebonne Parish.” She frowned and motioned with her hands like an Italian.
She’s been spending way too much time with Enzo. Not only does she have the hand gestures down pat, she’s talking in circles. “And?”
“And it’s only accessible by boat. The place sits up on stilts, which is probably a good thing considering all of the gators and snakes down there.”
Snakes! Why does it always have to be freaking snakes?“But they can’t get inside, right?”
“I haven’t been there in years, but I don’t remember anything other than spiders coming inside. The gators and snakes won’t mess with you if you don’t mess with them.” Shanna flashed me an evil smile that had me taking a step back.
She had no way of knowing I hated most reptiles and all spiders. Unless, of course, Enzo had told her.
“I see.” I glared at my brother for good measure. Surely, she’s exaggerating because he blabbed some stupid stories from our childhood.
“I doubt anyone will find you. It sounds very secluded.” Enzo grinned.
“That’ll work.” God help me. I hope they’re just busting my balls.
Shanna reached for her phone on the nightstand. “I’ll call Jack. I’m sure he won’t have a problem with you and Nico staying there.”
“Great. Let me know what he says.” I walked out of the room and didn’t stop until I reached the pool deck.
I promised Nico a honeymoon. How’s she going to react to a snake-infested cabin in the middle of a freaking swamp?I pulled my cell from my pocket and called the family priest.
He answered on the second ring. “Hello, this is Father Brian.”
“Hi Father, this is Marco Marchionni. That thing we discussed. Are we still on?”
“You’re referring to your wedding?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Yes. We’ve had a bit of a situation.”
He sighed loud enough I could all but feel his breath on my cheek. “I’ll be at the chapel at ten this evening.”
I hesitated. Not because I was doubting my decision, but because of the way it would all go down. Marchionnis married once. We did it big and splashy, surrounded by friends and family. I couldn’t give Nico more than a quick ceremony and a ring.
Thank God, I have a proper ring.
The whole temporary-fake marriage thing was starting to bug me. Divorce wasn’t an option in my family, and as far as I knew, no one had ever gotten an annulment or dissolution or what-the-fuck-ever the Church wanted to call it. But that wasn’t the problem. The more time I spent with Nico, the more I dreaded letting her go.
It’s not like I’m in love with her or anything. I enjoy her company. That’s it. But that wasn’t it. I was lying to myself and I knew it.
“Marco?” he asked. “Are you there?”
“Yeah, Father. I’m here. We’ll see you then.”