Shawn's POV
We arrived easily enough at the reception. It's at a club house off the golf course. Golfing reminds me instantly of Noah and Zac. I need to call them both, see them soon. I haven't seen them all since the wedding a few months back. I still smile at the memories of that weekend.
Leo seems like a nice guy, seems like the kind of guy to make people laugh. I've learned he's living in New Jersey, finishing up veterinarian school. I've never been all about animals, and I'm more of a cat person if anything but he seems to have a passion for it. He's recently broken up with his girlfriend of three months, Nora has informed me he's not really the relationship type. And from everything I've picked up on, he's one to fill the silence with noise, despises his sister and Piero, and came to fulfill his family duties like Nora has. I must say it's odd to be around a family that doesn't care too much about the other people in it, my family is all about togetherness and such, and I can't wait to see them.
I've been sitting at our table, watching Nora and Leo chat with other people while they take probably their thirtieth trip to the candy bar to grab more chocolate and snacks. I'm not going to stop them, because they always share whatever they find with me.
I'm dreading if I ever meet up with Nora's ex. I've obviously not met him but when I saw him, I was quite surprised with what I found. I don't really know Nora's type but I wouldn't figure her type being someone who looked like him. I picture her being with someone who is more quiet, would rather read books then go to the gym, takes walks and doesn't turn everything into a competition. I guess I would just picture her with me then anyone else. I'm completely hooked on this girl.
"I think we should start drinking." Leo suggests as him and Nora sit with their cups filled with jelly beans.
"Not yet, wait until they serve dinner." I suggest, popping a few candies in my mouth from Nora's cup.
"Don't be such a bore." Leo rolls his eyes.
"No, Shawn is right, I don't need to be carried out of here later. I've already made a terrible impression on Piero's family, so I just want to make it through the night unscathed." Nora leans back in her chair and gives me a slight smile. I think I could just stare at her all day. I could stare at her doing nothing.
"So Shawn, what are you doing with your life? How did you and Nora meet?" Leo asks, making conversation.
"Ah well, I'm not doing much, just taking an art class, and I bought a place by Central Park." I take a sip of my water. "And I just came into the flower shop that Nora works at one day to buy flowers from my mom and she was there. I just kept coming back." I turn to Nora and her face is lit up, I rest my arm on the back of her chair.
"What made you decide to go to her shop?" He asks and I feel a bit uncomfortable. I'm not going to tell him I stalked her for a few days on the train, left for a whole year and still thought of her so I followed her again. That's serial killer psycho.
"I was just walking by, thought I'd pick something up." I shrug and try to play it off.
"So, Nora." Nora puts her glass of water down and crosses her arms across her chest. "What are you going to do with Nonna's shop? I know she's leaving it to you. Are you going to sell it or keep it?" He asks. I've never thought about Nora selling it, I've just always assumed she would keep it.
"Um, I don't really know." She bites her lip, I can see this is something she doesn't really want to talk about.
"What would you do if you sold it?" I can't help but ask, I can read she doesn't feel like talking about it but we've never approached the subject so I'm curious.
"You don't know?" Leo asks and I shake my head no. "This little light wants to travel the world. She's talked about it forever, she wanted to graduate from college and see life. But then Nonno died, Nonna was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and she gave it all up to run the shop." Leo smiles as I can see Nora is extremely uncomfortable having all the focus on her. Nora wants to travel? She's never expressed this desire but I suppose everyone would love to travel if they had the opportunity to.
Before we get a chance to continue the conversation the DJ comes over the microphone to let everyone know the wedding party has finally arrived.
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I polish off my first drink and excuse myself to the bathroom. We've enjoyed our food already, which were two options, fish or steak. I opted for the fish which was quite tasty, plain, with just a little lemon seasoning but it was filling. I've heard quite a few embarrassing stories passed between Nora and Leo, and it makes me miss my family even more as I wait in line to take a piss. Only a few more weeks and I'll be seeing them again.
Right when it's my turn someone cuts in front of me and I notice it's Piero. I let it slide because he's the groom and do my business when another stall has come empty. When I come out to wash my hands I notice Piero is still here.
"So you're Nora's guest?" He asks, drying his hands on a paper towel.
"Yeah, I'm Shawn, nice to meet you." I play it off and extend my hand for him to shake. He looks down at it and then back at me, refusing to acknowledge it further. "Okay then." I smirk and start to leave the bathroom. Nora's right, he is an ass.
"Have you fucked her yet?" He asks from behind me and his crude words make me pause and turn to face him.
"Excuse me?" I ask, maybe I didn't hear him correctly.
"I asked if you've fucked her yet. She was always a pretty good lay." He crosses his arms and rubs his finger over his mouth.
"I don't think that's any of your business mate."
"I'm not your mate." He shoots back at me right away. I'd rather not get into a confrontation in the bathroom. "And that's a no. If it's not my business, you haven't." He rolls his eyes as if he has something over me. I'm usually not rude but Vera has fake written all over her and he's toting her around as if she's a prize.
"All right well, congratulations on the wedding." I start to pull at the door.
"How long have you known her? She sure didn't wait long to drop her panties for me." Who the fuck is this guy? Where does he get off telling me these things, he's just gotten married. He shouldn't even be concerned with an ex girlfriend of his.
"I don't really care."
"Then leave. You don't care yet you still haven't left the bathroom." He points out and I realize it's true. I let the air out of my lungs and once again turn to walk out. "Of course you two are like peas in a pod, you couldn't keep your wife happy, Nora couldn't keep me happy. You're a perfect match." He trails off and I freeze at the mention of Camila.
"Don't talk about my ex-wife. And don't talk about Nora like that." I demand from him, he has no business talking about Nora that way, no business talking about Camila that way.
"Just saying what everyone is thinking." Piero puts his hands up and shrugs as if it's nothing. I can feel my nerves starting to get the best of me, I can't believe he's so calm right now. This is what he wants, he wants me on edge, he want's me to freak out on him so we can get kicked out or something along those lines. He wants me to snap. I remind myself pinching the bridge of my nose and taking a deep breath. "All good, I know my marriage will last longer then yours did anyway. Of course, that's not that hard." He lets out a low chuckle and I do everything in my power to stoop myself from charging him into the bathroom stalls and beating the piss out of him.
"There you are!" Leo comes from no where to Piero.
"What the hell do you want?" He asks, I can't believe anyone would marry this asshole. No wonder Nora dumped him.
"The bride wants to see you. Something about first dance fiasco." Leo rolls his eyes as Piero brushes past me a little harsher then necessary.
"Whats up his ass?" Leo asks.
"Who knows man." I bite my lips to abstain from spilling absolutely everything I just encountered. "Lets go have a drink." I suggest. Maybe another drink will help me calm my nerves.
