Page 78 of The Rented Bride

Chapter Fourteen

Friday morning, Cassie checked the flower arrangements that had been placed on the tables in the Castillo del Paraíso ballroom. This was one of a thousand last minute details on her mind—not the least of which was Trent. She’d never been this distracted during an event. She really had to concentrate on work.

“Miss Cassandra! Miss Cassandra!” Eterio Bello rushed into the ballroom and hurried to her “No, no, no.” He was shaking his head and wringing his hands.

She caught his hands in hers. The man had been a ball of nerves the last two days. His only daughter was getting married, and Cassie suspected he hadn’t quite come to terms with losing his little girl.

“What happened?” she asked.

“The hotel. They say they have no more rooms. Adolfo and Lola say they have no reservation. Adolfo, he…he…”

“I know. He’s important.” She didn’t know professional baseball players, but Eterio had made it clear his nephew was going to attend the wedding. The Bello family had connections. There would be a state senator and a top Latina recording artist attending, as well. Those were reservations she had verified twice. They had VIP suites.

Cassie exhaled. No doubt the problem was a miscommunication with the hotel reception. She was more concerned with the incoming weather. Tropical storm Lamont churned in the Atlantic. Thus far, the storm was tracking north, but the wedding toast on the beach would be windy. She only hoped the beaches wouldn’t be closed as the tide came in.

“I’ll take care of Adolfo and Lola,” she said. “Are they here?”

“Ah, no they will be here soon.”

“Okay.” She smiled. “Just concentrate on being the father of the bride. I’ll worry about the details.”

Cassie checked in with registration, made sure food preparations were underway, and verified that the champagne toast would still be allowed to take place on the beach.

Guests arrived and checked into the hotel. Now, if only the weather would cooperate. About an hour before the event, Cassie slipped away to her room and changed into a red, form fitting dress with a side slit that reached nearly to her panty line. Not her normal style, but her job was to blend. The Bello wedding was more of a fiesta than an elegant wedding. Checking the mirror, she touched up her red lipstick, then smoothed a few hairs along the side of her head to the tight bun at the nape of her neck. Cultured rubies dangled from her ears and draped her neck, giving her cleavage more attention than she’d typically show. She slipped her feet into strappy heels knowing her feet would ache by the end of the night. Anything for the client.

In the ballroom, everything was perfect. Food preparations were on time, and the flower arrangements centered on every table made the room look incredible. Cassie was surprised the bride and groom had decided on a DJ rather than a live band.

As the evening progressed, Cassie breathed a sigh of relief. Guests utilized the open bar liberally. The laugher and hum of voices were music to her ears. The colors, the music, the food. The event went beyond successful. The bridal party sat near the dance floor at the front of the ballroom. Two dozen servers in plumed shirts of different bright colors and black slacks or skirts cleared the salad plates and served the entrees.

“Hi.” Maryanne sidled up beside her at the bar.

“Hey.” Cassie smiled. “Incredible, isn’t it?”

“My god, Cassie, this is fabulous. You really outdid yourself with this party.”

“If not for Lamont crashing our party, things would be perfect.” The storm was coming in with the tide. To avoid having guests swept out to sea, they’d moved the champagne toast inside.

The outside bar, sheltered from the rain, could stay open as long as the wind didn’t become an issue.

“I’m going to find a single Latino to dance the mambo with me.” Maryann shimmied her hips. “We have to keep the clients happy.” She sashayed her way toward the dancers.

Cassie laughed as Maryanne stopped at a table where two good looking young men sat. She touched one on the shoulder and he rose, took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. Thank god, Maryanne liked to schmooze. Cassie preferred the behind–the-scenes action.

Cassie bustled about, greeting a few important guests, making sure champagne circulated and the entrees were served on time.

Finally, the entrees were cleared and Eterio made his way to the microphone at the corner of the dance floor. The wait staff circled the room, filling champagne glasses. Maryanne rejoined Cassie near the kitchen door. Two champagne flutes were brought to them as Eterio spoke.

“It is never easy for a father to lose a daughter,” he began, “but when he gains a son like Vicente, it is a little easier. I know you will take good care of my little girl, Vicente. We welcome you into our family. I will now call you son.” The two men embraced and the guests erupted in applause.

Unexpected emotion tightened Cassie’s throat. Only a week ago, she’d experienced the same celebratory toast when Trent’s friends and grandfather welcomed her to their family. She didn’t wait for Eterio to finish, but upended her champagne flute and emptied her glass.

The bride and groom cut the wedding cake while the photographer, Isaac Becker, one of the best in the city, meandered among the guests taking pictures. As the cake was served, guests took their turn at the microphone to wish the newlyweds a wonderful life, and Cassie wandered back to the bar and ordered a seltzer water.

“You look amazing,” said a familiar male voice behind her.

Cassie whirled. Trent stood before her dressed in a dark suit, looking more handsome than she’d remembered. “What are you doing here?” her words came out as a breathless whisper.

“I missed my wife.”