Romani Prince

Chapter 17: The Reception

"How much weight did you gain since the last time I saw you? I don't think you'll fit in that bridesmaid dress, anymore!"

Immediately, I punch my brother on the shoulder.

"Oh, no! Should I call the seamstress? We need to get this fixed right away!"

Shooting daggers through my eyes at my pest of an older brother, I place a hand on Camille's arm to calm her down. "Don't worry, Camille. Your future bully, I mean, husband does this every time!"

Anthony laughs at my annoyed face and his own bride's panicked expression.

"Are you sure?" Camille openly scans my body because, even though I'm a size two, my hips are more like a size four.

"Trust me. The dress was properly fitted to my... err... curves."

Anthony pretends to cough. "Big butt!"

I roll my eyes menacingly as he hides behind Camille.

"Tony! Not funny!" Camille giggles when he steals a kiss. "Aunt Mildred is giving us the look! Watch it!"

"Oh! The look!" Tony teases his fiancé.

Camille tries to escape his tight grasp and I can't resist but laugh with the two.

How I've missed my big brother. I've missed the constant bullying and even our fierce competitions for my father's attention.

When little, we both were always eager to get our father's approval on everything that we did... But unlike me, it all came easily to Anthony. It's in his nature to be the perfect son, following the plan just as they expect me to do, too.

At twenty-six, he's the youngest partner of a renowned law firm in D.C. while getting married to a respected Senator's daughter.

"Well..." Camille pushes away from Anthony and fixes her hair while eyeing the very stiff aunt Mildred. "...You two behave. I need to see why is it taking so long for the next batch of canapes to circulate the room."

Tony drops a soft kiss to his fiance's cheek and admires her as she swings her hips to the kitchen's entrance.

"Lucky bastard..." I murmur.

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" But he laughs again. "I missed you, sis..." And lands a kiss on my forehead.

"I'm serious, though... You managed to fall in love with a girl that our parents approve of... And I still can't believe you're really getting married!"

He shoots me a sheepish grin, reminding me of the young daredevil that he used to be. Always so positive about the outcomes of our adventures.

"Feels like yesterday... Eating cobwebs on abandoned dirt trails, plunging down steep hills with no working breaks... Good times!"

Tony seems to be reading my thoughts.

"Never sure we could find our way back... How many bikes did we destroy? It's amazing we're still alive!" I continue.

"Nah! You were always the toughest one, Gabs. Always pushing me, daring me. I bet you're still raging through the woods and terrifying the wildlife!"

"Nope. My mountain biking days are over. No fun without you!"

Tony observes me from over his whiskey glass.

"I heard you broke up with the cyborg."

A quick burst of laughter escapes my lips. "Carl? A cyborg?"

I could see why...

Tony slants his head with a frown. "And I heard that you're now dating a... gypsy. Is that true? I didn't even know there were gypsies in America."