Accardi (Genevieve and Matteo) by Allison Franklin novel Chapter 117

Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen

Genevieve smiled as she watched the group of women walking ahead of her toward the dress boutique Matteo had arranged for them to visit. Jada held her hand while Alessio’s mother, three older sisters, and Lucy discussed all the different styles they wanted to see Gen in today. The group of women were surrounded by armed guards, Alessio’s men. Matteo said he needed his top three guys for the day… and she had a feeling it wasn’t to try on tuxedos.

The bell chimed overhead as they entered and the volume of the seven women amplified as everyone fanned out in search of the gown Gen had to try on.

She shook her head and directed her gaze toward a young woman with a tape measure around her neck, needles in her pocket and a smile that said, ‘I’m

about to retire off this commission.‘

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“Buongiorno, Signora Palladino. Che onore averla nel mio negozio!” the woman said, bright eyes locking in on her target.

“Ciao Wanda, questa è la mia futura nuora, Genevieve,” Mrs. Palladino said, gesturing toward Gen with the same prideful smile she’d been showing her since

their first meeting.

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Wanda’s eyes moved from Mrs. Palladino to Genevieve with curiosity. “Questa è la futura Signora Palladino?”

“Signora Accardi,” Gen corrected, extending her hand.

Wanda’s eyes widened even further. “Excuse me, Miss Genevieve. Pleasure to meet you. I have been told you wish to try on a few dresses?”

“Yes,” Gen started, sweeping her eyes around the small store. “I’ve never tried on any wedding dresses before so I don’t know exactly what I want but I’m sure my entourage can help.”

“We certainly plan to,” another American voice said behind her.

“We think you should try on this one first,” another said.

Gen turned around and was stunned to see her three roommates and Charlotte peeking out from behind a row of dresses with smiles from ear to ear. Gen screamed and her friends followed suit. The five women ran into each other’s arms and twirled around.

“What are you doing here?!” Gen asked, embracing her friends with tears pricking her eyes.

“Accardi called us,” Sarah answered.

“We got to fly on a private jet!!” Abigail yelled.

“You owe us a hell of an explanation,” Charlotte said, bracing her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry, it all just happened so fast and with Becca…” Gen trailed off.

Louise took Gen’s hand. “It’s okay. You’re allowed to be happy in this moment, Gen. Even if we’re down one girl. We can tell her all about it when we find her. Right, guys?” Louise said, gesturing with her hand for the others to hurry up and agree.

“Right.” “Yes.” “This is your special week, Gen.”

“I’m so glad y’all are here,” Gen said, wiping her eyes.

“Awww, picking out dresses is so emotional!” Sarah said, waving her own hands at her eyes to dry them.

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Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen

“It’s not just that,” Gen said, taking a tissue from Charlotte. “It’s just these damn hormones.”

Everyone in the shop quieted, including the Palladinos. Uh oh. Another round of squeals threatened to break the glass at the front of the store. Gen swore she noticed a few of the guards cover their ears. She was suddenly swarmed by nine bodies. Then she heard the sharp Italian commands issued by the Donna in the room and all the girls backed off, whether they understood the language or not.

“Alright, ladies,” Mrs. Palladino said, clapping her hands and bringing all the girls to their heels. “We have dresses to try on and we aren’t leaving here until we find the perfect one for this breathtaking beauty. Each of us gets to pick one for her to try. Geneveive can chose however many she wants. We all give our

opinions…

“I brought little paddles!!” Charlotte added helpfully while pulling out a bag she’d prepared for the occasion.

“Splendid. Genevieve gets final say. If she cries… We shut our mouths. Understood?”

“Yes!” Chorused nine women at once.

“Go!” Mrs. Palladino ordered.

Genevieve sighed as she looked at her reflection. It was the tenth dress and she still didn’t feel it. Wanda clicked her tongue as she looked at Gen’s expression.

“It’s a mermaid. It’s perfetto,” Wanda said with a shake of her head and a hand on her hip. “Look at how your body moves in it. Va, va, voom!”

“Okay, we’ll see what the judges say,” Gen said, screwing on a smile as she went to face her difficult–to–please gaggle of girls.

The chatter ceased as she exited the fitting room and Wanda helped her onto the podium. Then everyone started speaking at once.

“Too much cleavage.”

“Are you kidding? There’s no nipple showing!”

“In Italy we think…”

“She’s not Italian, she’s American.”

“So she’s meant to dress like a wh…”

“Enough, ladies,” Mrs. Palladino chirped,

She stepped up from her seat and scrutinized the dress with shrewd eyes as she had done with the last nine. She made a circular motion with her finger, signaling for Gen to twirl. Then her eyes rose to Gen’s face. She shook her head.

“Not the one,” she answered decisively.

“Paddles,” Charlotte suggested.

“Yes,” Jada chirped.

Everyone raised their paddles. Four yeses, six nos.

“The nos have it,” Abigail said with a nod.

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Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen

“Genevieve, show us one of your picks,” Mrs. Palladino suggested as she walked back into the dressing room.

“You heard the Donna. Which one, Miss Genevieve?” Wanda asked, het fingers working through the rack of dresses she’d yet to try on.

“That one,” Gen said, pointing to the one Wanda had just skimmed by.

“Mmm, yes, very good.”

It was simple. Elegant. White. Satin. Spaghetti straps with a cowl neckline, just like the one she’d worn on their first date. The mermaid silhouette hugged her waist and hips before flaring out at midthigh. She turned and admired the backless design. Tears welled and she cleared her throat.

“Bellisima,” Wanda said, nodding her head. “Ready?”

“Yes, let’s show them.”

Gen walked out, trying to keep her face impassive. The noise in the room quieted. Again, Wanda helped her on to the podium. Gen smoothed her hands down the dress, admiring it in the mirror before she turned to face judgement. Silence. She noticed several of them open their mouths but no one spoke a word. Mrs. Palladino stood up and walked toward her. She didn’t tell her to twirl. She didn’t put her finger to her chin as she analyzed it. She merely nodded. Jada tapped Charlotte until she handed her a tissue.

“Paddles?” Louise suggested.

All at once the paddles went up. Ten yeses. Gen smiled and turned to face the mirror again.

“You think so? You think it’s the one?”

“It’s perfect, Gen,” Jada agreed.

“Accardi will love you in this,” Arianna said with a smile.

“Yes, it won’t last long,” Alejandra, Alessio’s oldest sister said with a grin. “But it’ll look good until you make it back to the bedroom.”

“Alejandra,” Mrs. Palladino hissed.

“It’s true, Mama,” Arianna said, defending her sister.

“It’s the one,” Abigail said with a nod while she swiped a tear.

“I agree,” a male voice sounded from the doorway. Gen whirled around, her smile wavering as she saw the man watching her with a bouquet of wildflowers

in his hands. “You look beautiful, baby girl. That’s the dress. You look so much like your mom”

“Dad,” Gen cried, the tears flowing freely as she stumbled off the podium and ran into her father’s arms.