"Like I said, it's not what you think," I hear Natalie say like she's almost heartbroken. "He's… he's just not my type. That's all. I'm having a little fun, but he's just not my type."

I can't tell who she's trying to convince by saying that, Aubrey or herself.

"Tomorrow," I say quickly, but it's too late. Aubrey notices too and the smile slips from her face. Luca heard what Natalie had said. It's not that I'm trying to help Luca. Quite frankly, I'm pissed off he didn't ask me first, but no man wants to hear the woman he's with say something like that. "You and Luca will have brunch with us tomorrow so we can all talk," I say. "Now, I’m going to have one last dance with my wife, and finally take her home."

"Hey, Luca," Aubrey says, her voice tight.

Blood drains from my daughter’s face. I shoot a glance at her fiancé, who's acting completely blasé and uninformed. There’s no way he missed what Natalie said about him, but he’s acting as if he did.

I shake my head. Kids.

Natalie turns to greet Luca, but she's looking at him completely different than she was to us two seconds ago. I squint my eyes and shoot a brief look at Aubrey to see if she noticed it too, then look back at Natalie. It's like she blinked, and a new person appeared before us. Gone is the torn look, having been replaced by someone who is happy and free about her life. They're staring at each other as if they’ve been in love forever. Knowing my daughter the way I do, it’s almost alarming.

Luca hands Natalie a glass. She takes it and leans in to give him a kiss on the cheek, then steps closer to him. She seems rather at peace and now I'm more confused than ever. I have no idea what the hell is happening. I open my mouth to tell them we are definitely meeting tomorrow when Luca puts his hand out.

"Congratulations, Mr. Riviera," he says, dipping his head respectively toward me and my bride. I place my hand in his when he delivers his next set of words like a man proud. "I'm Luca Enzo Alessio Bianchi Francesco the third, Natalia's husband. It's nice to finally meet you."

I still. His greeting is a shock to my heart.

"Husband?" I repeat, then aim a pointed look at my dear daughter. I realize I'm gripping Luca's hand harder than I intended to and pull away. "This is news to me." I pause and then say again, "Husband?"

Aubrey's fingers tighten around mine over her waist and it brings me back to where I am. Her thumb strokes over the top of my hand. Flexing my digits, I glance over and meet her sympathetic gaze. She smiles softly, and suddenly everything feels okay again. I know whatever wild story Natalie has for us, I can handle with my wife by my side.