Chapter Ten
Julia
Erika nudges my arm as we pack up our things for the day. “Hey, girl, I want to talk to you about something?”
“Sure.”
“I found a place I can rent with some other people.”
My eyebrow goes up. “You want to move out? It’s because of Diego, isn’t it?”
“Yes and no. I don’t mind that he lives here. It’s kind of nice having a man around and he cooks and shit.” I laugh softly. “But, you’re settled down and I’m not. I want to party and go out and have fun and hook up, you know?”
I nod in understanding. “Yeah, I get it.”
“I just want to be with other people in the same place as me. I don’t want to worry about waking you guys up and stuff.” She smiles. “You know?”
“Yeah. Still in town?”
“Oh yeah. Other side of Piazza Santa Croce. Two girls have a house they’re renting and they have an open room. They’re from England attending the university.”
“Cool. Sorry things changed so much from what we had planned.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m super happy for you and Diego. You can tell he really loves you.”
“Yeah.”
“Is it different now that he’s not a priest?”
“Well yeah. We don’t have to sneak around.”
She laughs. “No, I mean, like you know the taboo of it is gone. No more fucking in the church or calling him Father Fire.”
I shake my head. “I never called him that, but…” I look over my shoulder. “Let’s just say that he still has his all his priestly accoutrement.”
“Ooh, role play? You naughty bitch.”
I just laugh in response.
∞∞∞
A few weeks later, as we exit the church for the day, Erika pats my arm. “I’m gonna meet up with some friends for dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yep. Have fun.”
She winks. “You too.”
I finish my walk and enter my apartment to find soft music playing and the lights dimmed. Diego comes around the corner, carrying two glasses of wine.
“What’s this?”
“Dinner.” He sets the glasses down and pulls me into his arms. “How was your day?”
“Good. I could get used to this, coming home to a hot man cooking dinner.”
“You should get used to it. This is your life, if you want it.”
“Of course I want it. I love you.”
“I know. Your love is beyond what I imagined could be true and real.”
“Ah, baby, that’s sweet.” He searches my eyes for a moment. “Something on your mind?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what is it?”
“Marry me, Julia.”
My mouth falls open. “What?”
“Marry me. Soon. Let’s plan it. Anything you want. Just say yes and that we can do it soon.”
“Of course I'll marry you.”
He pulls me close and kisses me hard. “I have a ring. I was gonna do the whole knee thing, but baby, Angel, I couldn’t wait another minute to ask.”
“It was perfect just like this.”
“You were always meant to be my wife. I know it.” His eyes well with tears, making my own tear up. “I love you, Julia Caputo. I’ve loved you forever, and I will continue to until I die. You mean everything to me. Everything. I devote my life to you and our future. That’s a vow I’ll never break.”
I kiss him through tears. “You have my devotion too.”
“I know. It’s the compass that guides my every decision.” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a delicate band with a gorgeous center diamond. “It’s not much, but when I saw it, it felt like us.”
“It’s beautiful. It’s perfect.”
“Like our love.”
“Yeah, just like that.”
“We should celebrate.”
“Definitely. What’s on your mind?”
“Dinner, a bath, and an early bedtime?”
I smile. “Perfect.”