The Goddaughter's Revenge Read Online Free Page A

food. Luckily, my uncle Vito likes Pete. Vito likes his food, too, and has the belly to prove it.
    La Paloma is “uptown cool” for Hamilton. Not your little Ma and Pa place. It has the best wine cellar in the city. Many high-priced business deals are signed here, and not just those in the family.
    But Pete was asking about the Saturday before Christmas, so I decided to stop munching bruschetta for just a moment to answer.
    I looked up and met his hazel eyes. “Prime shopping time, but I’m usually done by then. I like it fine. What are you talking about?”
    â€œMy parents come home for two weeks around Christmas. I thought it would be a nice time to get married.”
    My jaw dropped. “So soon?”
    Both his eyebrows rose in alarm. “Don’t you want to?”
    I swallowed hard. “Of course I do. I meant, how are we going to get a hall that soon? They’re booked a year in advance.”
    Pete relaxed. “Got that all worked out. I called Sammy and explained the situation. He knows the manager at the Forum. They’ve got a cancelation. I told him to reserve it on spec.”
    â€œSure he knows the manager,” I said. I wiped my mouth with the linen napkin. “We own the place. Didn’t you know that?”
    He just smiled.
    I just hoped the people who had originally booked the place weren’t “canceled.”
    Then another thought hit me.
    â€œBut,” I wailed, “I don’t have a wedding dress yet!”
    Now he laughed. “It’s still two months away. You can find something in that time.”
    â€œAre you kidding? Haven’t you ever seen that TV show Say Yes to the Dress ? It takes at least three months to order a dress. And for crissake, Pete, everyone will think I have to get married if we do it that soon!”
    Yikes! Aunt Miriam thinking I had to get married. I shivered.
    Pete sighed. He pushed back from the table. “I thought you’d be pleased.”
    He looked so disappointed—just like a little boy. I think it was the most surprised I’d ever been in my life.
    I couldn’t stand it. I relented immediately. I guess that’s how you know you really love someone.
    â€œOkay,” I said. My voice was deliberately light and happy. “The Saturday before Christmas. Let’s do it. You book the hall. I’ll find a dress somehow.”
    A big smile split his face. “Great! Now will you please give me the ring so I can put it on your finger?”
    I smiled back. I reached into my purse and pulled out a blue velvet Ricci Jewelers box. I snapped it open and passed it to him. Pete lifted the ring out of its case and whistled.
    â€œKnock-out stone for my gorgeous gal. This is for keeps, babe.” He reached across the table for my left hand.
    Of course, that was the very minute Uncle Vito decided to pop out from the kitchen to bring the pasta verde in person.
    â€œVera!” He yelled across the crowded restaurant. “He’s giving her the ring! Get out here!”
    Vera came running from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She was followed by several of the cooking staff.
    â€œStella! Call Miriam and Pinky, and Maria in Florida! She’s got the ring!” Vera hollered to the hostess at the front, another cousin of mine.
    And that’s when the circus started.
    * * *
    We didn’t get home until after midnight. Everyone in the resto came over to congratulate us. Vito got out the Prosecco—bottles of it.
    Many toasts were made. The smart phones came out and photos were up on Facebook within minutes. Then our cell phones started ringing.
    Pete got louder with every slap on the back, and I got tipsy. I inadvertently spilled the news about the date, and Vera started phoning the family to mobilize. Pinky would hold the shower. Stella would arrange the invitations. Vera would be in charge of food, of course. Luca would do the music. And Miriam would handle the guest