Page 71 of Love, Amy

Bridgette knows what she wants, passionately bossing around me, Craig, and even Aurelio at times to get the best shots. After a shockingly long and enjoyable session, Bridgette and I look over the photos, checking the lighting and poses. Her ring sparkles beautifully in most of the shots, even without the sun beaming down. “Good job, Craig,” I compliment him. “The ring looks great.”

After getting Bridgette’s approval, I return her phone to her. “Thank you so much,” Craig says, slinging an arm around his fiancée. “We appreciate your time.”

“No problem.” I smile. “It was fun.”

Bridgette watches Aurelio and I shrewdly. I wonder just how plugged into the tennis world she is. Has she seen the pictures of me and Aurelio walking hand-in-hand? Has she heard what happened between me and my father? Does she know that I’m supposedly on a tennis hiatus?

Finally, she points at us teasingly. “We’ll return the favor,” she promises. “I bet you lovebirds will be next!”

I laugh, but Aurelio practically chokes, stuttering over his words. “No, no.” He waves his hands, seeming more Italian in his panic. “There’s no pressure—” He looks over at me, trying to be reassuring. I’m sure he expects me to be panicking, my fear of commitment leading to sweat on my brow and hives on my chest.

Instead, I feel calm. Bridgette and I wear matching grins. “Yeah,” I confirm. “I think us next.”

This stops Aurelio point-blank. He looks at me with his mouth open as Bridgette and Craig walk away, waving cheerfully.

“Us next?” He throws his hands in the air. “Where is the Amy I know and love?”

I mock frown at him. “What? Don’t you want to marry me?”

He sputters indignantly until he realizes I’m joking. Again. “I take it back.” He crosses his arms, chin in the air. “I do not love you anymore.”

“Yes, you do,” I tease him in a sing-song voice. “You love me. You want to marry me.”

He rubs his hands together, eyeing me up and down. “That’s it. I’ve had it with you.” Before I can properly defend myself, he tackles me into the sand.

I shriek, shoving against his arms. “Aurelio! I’m tattling to Vince if I get hurt wrestling with you in the sand.”

He pushes himself up above me. “Vince will be on my side,” he says, out of breath. I try to fend off his wandering hands, but Aurelio is on the offensive. He tickles me until my ribs hurt from laughing.

“Stop it!” I’m practically wheezing. “I can’t breathe.”

Aurelio clicks his tongue. “And yet, you’re still laughing.”

I choke on another laugh. “That’s why I’m out of breath. Stop with the tickles.”

He finally stops his assault, sitting back on his knees to survey me. I’m sure I look a state, covered in sand, red-faced, and giggling. Whatever he sees, it causes a small smile to curve on his lips. He tries to keep up the charade, shaking his head in disapproval. “Marriage isn’t a joke, Amy,” he scolds.

“I wasn’t joking.” I tell him the truth. “At least, not about wanting to marry you. Someday.”

Aurelio’s eyes soften. He grabs my hand, gently squeezing. “I’d be honored.”

I shrug. “As long as you keep your ranking in the top ten, I think we can make it work—”

Aurelio lets out a sigh. “My future bride the comedian,” he grumbles.

I burst into laughter again and this time Aurelio joins me. He lies back on the sand beside me, still holding my hand.

We stay that way for hours.

CHAPTER 21

U.S. Open: August 2026

Fernanda is late for our impromptu double lunch date, leaving me alone with the boys. I prop my chin on my hand as I listen to Francisco and Aurelio talk animatedly in Italian. I’ve been trying to learn via my Duolingo app, but I’m certainly not up to the task of jumping into their fast-paced conversation. I can maybe ask them where the bathroom is, if I think carefully. I’ll have to video call Bianca tonight and see if she’s willing to start those lessons early.

Aurelio abruptly switches back to English, looking at me apologetically. “You look bored, mia dolce. We’re sorry.”

I straighten, shaking my head. “Bored? No, no, you’ve got it wrong. You two are every girl’s dream.” I flutter my eyelashes at them. Aurelio rolls his eyes at my antics, but Francisco leans back in his chair, laughing. I make a mental note that Fernanda’s new boyfriend is an easy laugh. That means I don’t have to try too hard at being nice but can use my dry wit instead.