Chapter 10 - Beneath the Table Once More
The autumn wedding at the Ventresca lakeside estate was hailed as the social event of the decade.
Margaret Hartwell was seated in the front row, openly weeping into a lace handkerchief—not out of disappointment, but because every senator, judge, and CEO in the state was currently bowing to her as the mother-in-law of Rocco Ventresca. Sophie and Luca, now happily married and expecting their first child, beamed from the bridal party.
The reception was a masterclass in elegance. The ballroom was illuminated by three dozen historic fixtures restored by Evelyn's expanding company, now known statewide as Hartwell & Ventresca Historic Restorations.
At 9:45 PM, the party was at its peak. Carmela was holding court near the orchestra, and Margaret was busy lecturing a state assemblyman on the proper etiquette of wedding toasts.
Behind the heavy, floor-length velvet curtains near the banquet hall, a secluded alcove held an ornate banquet table, draped in heavy golden damask down to the floor.
The tablecloth lifted.
Evelyn crawled underneath, carefully gathering the yards of ivory silk and lace from her bridal gown. Her emerald ring caught the soft shadows beneath the linen.
Opposite her, seated against the wall with his long legs stretched out in charcoal tuxedo trousers, was Rocco.
He held two plates. On each plate was a grilled chicken sandwich.
"You're late," Rocco murmured, a slow, devilish grin spreading across his handsome face.
Evelyn burst out laughing, crawling over until she was sitting right between his parted legs, leaning her back against his broad chest. Rocco wrapped his arms around her, kissing the crown of her head before handing her half a sandwich.
"My mother was trying to introduce me to the mayor's wife," Evelyn sighed, taking a bite. "I told her I had an urgent executive meeting."
"You do," Rocco said, nuzzling her neck, his five o'clock shadow tickling her skin. "With the chairman of the board."
Outside, muffled music drifted over the heavy linens. People were laughing, toasting, dancing, and searching for the bride and groom.
Evelyn leaned her head back against Rocco's shoulder, chewing her sandwich in absolute content. She looked at his tattooed hands resting over her white silk skirt, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat against her back.
"They're going to realize we're gone," she whispered.
"Let them look," Rocco replied, pulling her closer into the shadows of their little sanctuary. "They'll never think to look under the table twice."
May you like
Evelyn smiled into the darkness, taking another bite. For the first time in her life, she wasn't hiding from the world.
She was right where she belonged.
