LITMIR.BIZ

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have had to do with Jules fighting back tears. Maybe she didn’t want to make matters worse.

      But today was a new day, and Jules could feel her sister’s inquisitive gaze on her. Jules wished she’d just speak up and get it over with. She wasn’t good with hedging around subjects. It just ended up unnerving her more.

      “Say it.” Jules plunked down on the couch.

      “Say what?” Lizzie said innocently as she approached her with a steaming mug of coffee.

      “Don’t go acting like nothing happened. You want to know what was up with Stefano and me yesterday, don’t you?”

      “Since you brought it up, yes. I’d like to know how far this thing between you two has gone. Are you in love with him?”

      Wow! Way to go straight to the heart of the matter. Pride refused to let Jules admit that she was in love with a man who didn’t love her back. She’d already made a fool of herself in front of him; she couldn’t do the same with her sister.

      “No. I’m not.” Guilt rained down on her.

      Lizzie stared at her as though trying to make up her mind. “And you still plan to attend grad school, right?”

      What else did she have waiting for her back in New York? She might as well stick to her original plan. “Of course.”

      “Good. Because I just sent in the tuition payment.”

      Jules had totally forgotten about that. Well, it appeared that everyone was getting what they wanted. She would soon be out of Stefano’s life, and she’d be going back to school just like her sister wanted. She should be happy that she was being offered such an amazing opportunity. Not everyone was so blessed. But somehow she just couldn’t work up the excitement.

      Now wasn’t the time to dwell on things, not with the wedding in a matter of days. “Now that we have that settled—”

      The phone rang, and Lizzie held up a finger, stopping Jules in midsentence. Jules was glad to have a small reprieve. She could use a healthy dose of caffeine before she dealt any more with her sister.

      Jules swallowed another mouthful of the fragrant brew with a touch of cream and sweetener. She did have to admit that Italian coffee was quite good. In fact, she could easily get used to drinking it.

      Over the rim of her cup, she noticed Lizzie had moved to the galley kitchen. Her back was to her, and Jules could only make out a word here and there—not that she was trying to eavesdrop. She had enough of her own problems without dabbling into someone else’s. As it was, she was quite certain that the Stefano issue hadn’t been laid to rest that easily. Lizzie was never satisfied that quickly when she was concerned about something.

      A few minutes later, Jules set her empty mug on the glass coffee table. Lizzie returned, taking a seat on the couch opposite hers. “That was Stefano on the phone.”

      Jules was tempted to ask what he wanted, but she resisted the urge. Her sister’s inquisitive stare bore into her. She had no doubt that Lizzie knew how much it was killing her not to ask about him, but she had to play this right or Lizzie would turn into a protective mother bear. She’d make matters worse for everyone. And with the wedding just around the corner, drama was the last thing any of them needed.

      Lizzie curled her feet up on the black leather couch and sipped her coffee. Waiting for her sister to speak was pure torture. At her breaking point, Jules asked, “What did he want?”

      “He called to apologize.”

      “That’s good. He should. He knows nothing about you and me.”

      Lizzie’s lips pressed together in a firm line and her brows gathered. “He wanted to talk to you, but I told him that you didn’t want to talk to him yet. That is right, isn’t it?”

      He wanted to talk to her? She wondered what he wanted to say. Then she realized with the pending wedding that he probably just wanted to apologize and smooth things over before the big day. The thought dashed her hopes that he might have miraculously come to his senses.

      “That’s fine. I can talk to him when I get back to the vineyard, anyway. I have a lot to do when I get there. The temporary flooring and tent will be arriving tomorrow, and I have to figure out the most level spot to set everything up. I should grab my planner and we can go over the final details.”

      She went to stand when Lizzie said, “Wait. We aren’t done talking.”

      Jules sighed as she settled back on the couch.

      “What did Stefano mean by I don’t listen to you?”

      No way was she getting into all of this with Lizzie on the week of her wedding. This was Lizzie’s moment to shine. There would be a better time and place for this talk.

      Jules shrugged. “I don’t know. I think he was just frustrated. This running around for the wedding while trying to keep his business going has been a lot for him. I think he just needed to blow off some steam.”

      “That’s interesting because he said almost the same thing on the phone.”

      “He did? I mean—see? I was right. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. All you have to do is show up for the big day.” She forced a smile.

      “You better not be falling for him.” Lizzie gave her an I-mean-business look. “You can’t mess up grad school. You worked too hard for it.”

       And you already paid the tuition.

      Jules stifled a frustrated sigh. Time to change the subject.

      “By the way, where’s Dante?”

       CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

      “ARE YOU TRYING to ruin everything?”

      Stefano’s body tensed at the sound of Dante’s voice. His brother was the last person he wanted to deal with right now. He glanced up as Dante crossed the patio in his direction. Stefano turned away and stared blindly out over the sun-drenched rows of grapevines. The only vision in his mind was Jules’s beautiful face.

      “I’m not up for it today, Dante,” Stefano warned.

      “Too bad.” The footsteps behind him stopped. “You have some explaining to do, big brother.”

      So he’d heard about the incident yesterday at the bridal boutique. He wasn’t surprised, but the fact Dante had driven to the vineyard while the ristorante was open for business was a worrisome development.

      Stefano sighed and turned to face his brother. “Shouldn’t you be in Rome working?”

      “I would be if my brother wasn’t trying to wreck my wedding.”

      “What? I’m not doing any such thing.”

      “That’s not what I hear.” Dante’s hands rested on his waist, pushing his suit jacket back. “I know that you’re not a fan of weddings after what happened to you and Papa, but I thought you were man enough to step aside and let me make my own choices.”

      “I am. I did.” How did he explain away yesterday? Jules wasn’t even speaking to him. “How’s Jules?”

      “First, I think you owe me an explanation before I withdraw my request for you to be my best man.”

      The serious glint in Dante’s eyes left Stefano no doubt about his sincerity. But he needed to know Jules was okay after the way she’d disappeared. “This is important. How’s Jules? Did she say anything to you?”

      Dante’s brows arched. “You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?”

      “No, I haven’t. We’re...we’re friends. That’s all.”

      “You have it real bad for her, and you’re fighting it. That’s what

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