I also feel like Aubrey is giving me some sort of code look to just shut up for now.

Turning back to Luca, I say, "I was just informing Natalie that we can all have brunch tomorrow. Tonight, I want to enjoy the rest of the evening with my wife."

His smile is genuine. I wish it wasn't. "We'd love that."

Maybe it's the heightened emotion that comes with weddings, but I can't bring myself to be angry with Natalie at the moment. I just want her happy, and if marrying some man from Italy with a mouth full of names does that, then who the fuck am I to tell her no? I just married her best friend.

Though, her poker face is better than mine.

Letting go of Aubrey, I step forward and give my daughter a hug. "We're going to talk about this," I say near her ear, only for her to hear. She nods and I give her a kiss on the cheek.

"Congratulations," Aubrey says excitedly, but I can hear the tightness in her voice. I think she's hurt learning her best friend got married and didn't tell her. I offer my good wishes as well and tell myself I'm going to shelf this fucking bombshell Natalie dropped on me until tomorrow.

Lacing my fingers through Aubrey's, I steal her away and walk her toward the dance floor. She wraps her arms around my shoulders as I pull her close to my chest.

"Look at me," she says, and I do.

"How does my only daughter get married and not tell me?"

Aubrey doesn't respond to my question. I know she's trying to make sure I keep my cool, which I am, but it still upsets me that I wasn't given the option to walk Natalie down the aisle.

"Baby."

Gavin DeGraw’s "More Than Anyone" begins playing through the speakers. A slow smile spreads across my face and I hold her closer to me. She had the DJ replay our first dance song again. We're swaying together to the ballad. Everything fades away and I fall into her beautiful brown eyes. Aubrey starts lip-synching the song's lyrics, saying she's going to love me more than anyone, something we always tell each other.

I can't wait until I have her naked in my arms tonight and we make love as husband and wife. My heart beats so fucking hard for this woman and the way she makes me feel inside.

"Want to know a secret?" I ask. She nods excitedly. "I can't wait to wake up to my wife tomorrow." The thought makes me embarrassingly giddy, but I don't give a shit. I got the girl and she's going to be mine forever.

She cups the back of my head and pulls my mouth to hers to place a gentle kiss on me. Her lips feel like pillows.

"Want to know my secret?" she asks, and I nod. "Valentina has been dying to get a taste of her new husband."