“Oh, my God, Em,” Teagan squeals. “Look at that boulder on your finger! It’s freaking huge!”
The others respond with vigorous exclamations of agreement, staring at my diamond ring as I sip from a glass of rosé.
“How many carats is that?” Daisy marvels.
“At least ten,” Zoe says definitively.
“My cousin has excellent taste.” Susanna winks at me. “In jewelry and women.”
I grin and blow her a kiss.
“Tell us again how he proposed,” Teagan gushes.
I laugh, setting my glass down. “Again?”
“Yes, please!”
Grinning from ear to ear, I launch into another retelling of the romantic balcony proposal. The girls sigh and swoon as I describe Reyes playing the guitar and serenading me under the stars. I’ve told the story a thousand times over the past two days, and I still get goose bumps.
I’ve almost gotten to the end when Reyes walks into our room. I’m in the sitting area, curled up on the plush couch with my laptop heating my legs.
He sees me and saunters over, making my pulse quicken with each step that brings him closer. He’s going to be my husband in nine days. Every time I think of it, I want to pinch myself just to make sure I’m not dreaming.
I lift my face as he leans down and brushes his lips over mine.
“Hey, stranger,” I whisper.
He smiles into my eyes. “Hey.”
We’ve hardly seen each other all day. After breakfast he and his groomsmen headed out to the bespoke tailor to get fitted for their tuxes, then he and Greer had other errands to run. I spent most of the day doing wedding stuff with his aunts and cousins.
Susanna’s face lights up when she sees him. “Reyes!”
He grins affectionately at her. “Hey, Honeydew.”
I introduce him to Zoe, Teagan and Daisy.
“Heyyy, Reyes,” they gush like schoolgirls, batting lashes and all.
He smiles at them. “Nice to meet you, ladies.”
“Congratulations to you and Emerson,” Zoe says warmly. “We can’t wait to attend your wedding.”
He grins. “Neither can I.”
As everyone laughs, he bends down and whispers in my ear, “Come to bed.”
Delicious shivers of anticipation pulse through me. He doesn’t have to tell me twice.
“Well, girls,” I announce, “it’s almost midnight here and we’ve got a full day tomorrow, so we’re off to bed.”
“I bet you are.” They give us sly, knowing grins. “Nighty-night, lovebirds.”
“Goodnight.” I’ve barely closed my laptop before Reyes is lifting me into his arms and carrying me to bed, where we make love long into the night.
The girls play hooky from work the next day, meeting for breakfast before hitting up a bunch of bridal ateliers in search of the perfect dress. Reyes is generously footing the bill for their expenses, which includes a chartered flight to Spain aboard one of Greer’s luxury jets.
One of the first things Reyes and I did was complete our guest list and send out e-vites. Despite the short notice, nearly everyone responded to say they’re dropping everything to attend our wedding.
“This is the A-list event of the year!” Molly crowed when I called her yesterday. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
Four hundred guests will be joining us for a three-day celebration of love, romance and adventure. The itinerary includes winery tours, spa treatments, hot air balloon rides over the countryside and a farewell pool party to cap off the weekend.
There’s so much to be done and so little time to do it. The days fly by, and before I know it, the wedding is less than a week away.
The Piedmont Bay crew is the first to arrive on Tuesday. A family driver picks them up from the airport while I finish consulting with the team of stylists that will be doing my hair and makeup, as well as the bridal party’s.
I’m waiting on the front steps of the mansion when the black limo comes gliding up the driveway and pulling around the circle. The driver gets out and opens the back door to let out Zoe, Susanna, Teagan and Daisy. All four look awestruck.
I break into a big grin and hurry down the steps to greet them.
“Emerson!” Zoe bounces up to me and grabs my hands, and we begin squeeing and jumping up and down before hugging tightly. “I missed you so much!”
“I missed you, too!” We pull apart and grin like idiots, cradling each other’s faces. “You look awesome. I see you got a nice tan on the cruise.”
“Isn’t it fabulous?” Zoe preens, then pouts. “Too bad it never lasts.”
The others swarm me, laughing, squealing and hugging while the servants unload their luggage. There are enough suitcases for a six-month stay.
“Holy shit, Em,” Daisy breathes, looking around in awe. “This place is ahmazing.”
“I know, right?” I grin. “My jaw is still on the floor.”
“No kidding!” Teagan exclaims. “And I thought his dad’s family was rich!” She leans close to me and whispers, “You’re not signing a prenup, are you?”
“Oh, my God. Will you shut up?” Zoe rolls her eyes in my direction. “Ignore her.”
I laugh. “I always do.”
“Where’s Reyes?” Susanna asks.
“He and Greer went to Barcelona to audition deejays for the reception. They’re good friends with a nightclub owner who agreed to let them hold auditions there.”
“Is Greer his best man?” Daisy asks.
I nod. “You’ll meet him later, along with the rest of the family. We’re all going to Alejandro’s game in Barcelona tonight.”
Teagan’s eyes light up. “Alejandro Cebrián? The smokin’ hot soccer player?”
I grin at her. “You do know he’s Reyes’s cousin, right?”
“Duh. Why else do you think I came?”
I just laugh and shake my head at her.
As we follow the servants up the front steps, Zoe links arms with me and sighs. “Poor Liam. He couldn’t get off work so soon after returning from the cruise. He’ll be sorry he missed this.”
Senyora Molina stands at the front door waiting to greet the new arrivals, her smile warm and welcoming.
As we enter the enormous marble foyer, I hear nothing but awed gasps. Even Susanna is impressed, despite growing up in a mansion with all the trappings of wealth that most people can only dream about.
“I always wanted to visit Bodegas Galindo,” she says a little wistfully.
“Why didn’t you?” Daisy asks, perfectly clueless.
Susanna’s expression clouds. “My father wouldn’t let me,” she admits.
Senyora Molina gives her a kind smile. “But you’re here now. Better late than never, yes?”
“Definitely.” Susanna smiles winsomely. “I’d love a tour.”
“Of course.” After instructing the servants to take everyone’s suitcases to their rooms, Senyora Molina tucks her arm through Susanna’s and leads her away.
Teagan and Daisy trail after them, whispering excitedly as they look around.
Zoe and I lag behind, eager to play catch-up.
When we Skyped over the weekend, I finally told her the whole story about my father and boy, was she furious. She called him every name in the book and threatened to cut his balls off and shove them down his throat. Her volcano of righteous rage was both comforting and endearing. After we talked it all out, we agreed to focus only on the positive things happening in our lives. Fortunately, we both had plenty to celebrate.
She and Liam had a wonderful time on the family cruise. Her parents really hit it off with Liam, calling him the “most promising boyfriend” Zoe had ever had. I happened to agree with them, and I couldn’t wait to tell them so when they arrived in two days.
“I can’t believe we won’t be roommates anymore,” Zoe laments, breaking into my thoughts. “I’m gonna miss you, bestie.”
“Me, too,” I say with a sigh, hugging her around the waist. “We’ll have to
do sleepovers at least once a month.”
She laughs. “Not sure how Reyes will feel about that, but it sounds like a plan. Speaking of your amazing fiancé,” she says with sudden excitement, “I can’t believe he paid my rent through the end of the lease! Holy crap!”
I chuckle. “He insisted on paying my half since I’m moving out early. I didn’t know he was going to pay yours until you texted me last night.”
Zoe laughs. “I was so shocked when I got the email from the leasing office. Felt like I’d just won the freaking lottery. God bless that man and his generous soul.” She sighs blissfully and then grins at me. “I know you wanted to keep your engagement under wraps, but the news got out, anyway. Damn near broke the Internet.”
“I know,” I say, sighing resignedly. “Molly told me.”
Zoe’s grin widens. “Your Twitter mentions are full of well wishes and photos of wedding dresses for your consideration.” She chuckles. “Reyes may have broken millions of hearts by proposing to you, but his female superfans aren’t the only ones in mourning. Some of your fanboys have been sharing crying memes and wondering why you couldn’t just hold out for them. And they’re getting lots of retweets.”
“Oh God,” I half laugh, half groan. “You can’t be serious.”
Zoe snickers. “See for yourself.”
Shaking my head, I pull out my phone and open Twitter. Right away I notice that I have a slew of DMs. With a mixture of curiosity and dread, I tap the envelope icon.
My steps slow and then stop, stomach knotting with tension when I see that Vega sent me a message an hour ago: Just saw Reyes at the club where we used to hang out. So many good memories . . . Anyway, congrats on your engagement. I’d wish you a long and happy life together, but I honestly don’t think you’re going to last very long. So enjoy him while you can. Lol.
I stare down at the screen, the spiteful words burning into my retinas.
How did she know he was at the club? a voice whispers suspiciously in my head. Did one of the employees tip her off? Or did Reyes go behind my back and ask her to meet him there?
My hand tightens around the phone until my fingers turn white.
Your father already stole so much from you and Reyes, Blanca’s words drift through my memory as I wrestle with an overwhelming temptation to lash back at Vega. Promise me you won’t let anything else come between you.
“Em?”
I look up, meeting Zoe’s questioning gaze.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
I take a deep breath and block Vega on Twitter, then calmly put away my phone and resume walking.
Zoe falls in step with me again, scrutinizing my face. “Everything okay?”
I smile serenely. “Everything’s perfect.”
Reyes’s father and sister arrive from Milan the next day. Greer picks them up from the airport while Reyes and I meet with Father Lozano at the church.
When we return to the mansion that afternoon, we find Reyes’s father and Greer engaged in a spirited tennis match. Watching from the courtside pavilion are Mireia, Zoe, Susanna, Teagan and Daisy. They’re sipping cocktails and cheering on the players like they’re at Wimbledon.
When Mireia sees her brother and me, she gets up and runs over to hug us, her tawny eyes shining with happiness. “I cannot wait for your wedding,” she gushes. “It’s gonna be so beautiful!”
Brooks Malone comes jogging over to greet us with smiles and hugs. He’s tall and broad shouldered and in great physical shape, his flat stomach showing no sign of a dad paunch. His skin is deeply tanned and his forearms are roped with muscle from years of hard, honest labor. His black hair is thick and wavy, tinged ever so slightly with flecks of gray. When he smiles, the skin around his eyes crinkles attractively.
He’s such a beautiful man, inside and out.
Reyes hitches his chin toward the grass court, where Greer is swigging from a water bottle. “Who’s winning?”
“Greer’s up two sets to one.”
Reyes grins. “Remember how you used to beat us at tennis when we were kids? You refused to go easy on us, said the only way we could learn the game and improve was to be pushed to the limit. You showed us no mercy, so you know Greer’s only too happy to return the favor.”
His father chuckles. “I’m not afraid of a little competition.”
Overhearing the comment, Greer calls out with a cocky grin, “You’re going down, old man.”
We all laugh.
“Before I forget,” Mireia says to Reyes, “Uncle Miquel asked you to stop by his office when you get back. He has some stuff to show you.”
“Cool.” Reyes cups my chin and kisses me, then winks. “Be back soon.”
“Mmkay.” I smile and watch him walk off, admiring the way his round ass looks in his black slacks. He still has a few scratches and nail marks from our midnight romp in the library. Who knew that reading passages from The Count of Monte Cristo in Spanish could be such a huge turn-on?
As Brooks and Greer resume their tennis match, I follow Mireia to the covered pavilion and take a seat next to Zoe, helping myself to a sip of her fruity cocktail.
“Mmm, that’s delish.”
“Greer made it.” She grins. “He says he put himself through college working as a bartender. With his looks, you can imagine how insanely good his tips must have been.”
I chuckle and take another sip of her drink.
She nudges my shoulder with hers. “So how’d the premarital counseling go?”
“Good.” I grin. “I think I’m still going through with it.”
“What? Marrying Reyes?” Daisy snorts. “You’d be crazy not to.”
“Seriously,” Teagan agrees. “That man is the total package and then some. If you’re having any second thoughts, get the hell out of the way and I’ll gladly take your place!”
Everyone bursts out laughing.
A few minutes later, Greer smashes a cross-court forehand just out of Brooks’s reach and pumps his fist with clenched teeth.
He’s super competitive at everything he does. During his summer visits to New Mexico, he and Reyes were always engaged in some form of competition. I remember them battling to see who could do the most pushups or rope his steer faster or stack more bales of hay. I remember them racing each other on horseback, bent low over their horses’ necks as they thundered across the field. It was a friendly rivalry, and no matter who won the contest du jour, they always came away laughing with their arms slung around each other’s necks, thick hair standing up in unruly disarray.
As Greer wins another set and pounds his chest, Brooks grumbles something that has Greer throwing back his head with a husky shout of laughter.
Daisy lets out an appreciative purr. “He is so fucking hot.”
“God, yes,” Zoe breathes. “Those incredible blue eyes, that lazy smile, that country-boy drawl and that hot bod?” She sighs. “I would be all over that corn-fed white boy if I didn’t already have a man.”
Everyone laughs.
“Hell, you could’ve been describing Mr. Malone just now,” Teagan leers. “He is such a DILF.”
“Hey!” Mireia protests amid an outbreak of giggles. “That’s my dad you’re talking about!”
Daisy grins at her. “Sorry, Mireia, but your papa is hot as hell.”
“Totally,” Teagan purrs, licking her lips. “Between this rousing tennis match and last night’s soccer game, I feel like I’ve died and gone to man-candy heaven. When Alejandro scored that goal and ripped his shirt off to bare those sweaty eight-pack abs? Holy fuck did I want to run onto that field and jump his sexy bones!”
The ensuing shrieks of laughter have Mireia covering her face with her hands and groaning, “I feel so dirty right now.”
As the others laugh harder, I wrap my arm around Mireia’s shoulders and give her a sympathetic hug.
Susanna has been mostly silent, sipping her cocktail and watching Greer over the rim of her glass. There’s something in her gaze—something soft, almost wi
stful—that has my eyes narrowing in speculation. Does she have a crush on Reyes’s best friend?
No sooner has the thought crossed my mind than Susanna starts clapping and cheering wildly for her uncle, who just ripped a shot past Greer to score a point.
“Woohoo! That’s right, Uncle Brooks! Show him how it’s done!” She’s so loud and animated that Greer flicks an amused glance her way and smirks.
She smirks right back, takes a big swig of her drink and smacks her lips in satisfaction.
Zoe and I raise our eyebrows at each other.
“Aren’t the best man and maid of honor supposed to hook up at weddings?” Teagan muses aloud.
Daisy grins. “Typically.”
“In that case, being maid of honor is totally wasted on Zoe since she already has a boyfriend.” Teagan turns to her, hands folded in a pleading gesture. “Switch places with me. Pretty please?”
As the others crack up laughing, Mireia leans over and whispers to me, “I’m dying to show you your dress, but I want to get your reaction before everyone else’s. Can we sneak up to my room?”
“Thought you’d never ask.” I’m already on my feet, grabbing her hand and moving past the others. “We’ll be right back.”
We leave them to their lustful ogling and head inside the house. As we climb the staircase to the second floor, I say wryly, “Sorry about my horny friends.”
Mireia laughs. “No need to apologize. Believe me, I’m used to women fawning over my male relatives. And what can I say about Greer? The man is a total panty-dropper.”
I grin. “Out of respect for your brother, I’m not saying a word.”
She laughs again, leading me into her room. It’s about the same size as ours with a balcony overlooking the garden. In one corner, elevated on a dais, is a headless sewing mannequin draped from top to bottom in a cloth covering.
My heart skips several beats, racing with excitement.
Other than a few early design sketches, I don’t know what the dress looks like. I put my complete faith and trust in Mireia, and I don’t have a backup plan. If I totally hate what she came up with, I’m pretty much screwed.
Get Over You (Dare Me Book 1) Page 29
