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I take a deep breath, sit back, and stretch out my legs, trying to make this appear casual and light. I don’t want to add any more weight to his shoulders.
“I’m getting married in a month. The bride has moved to the top floor. I don’t think she’ll cramp your style, but don’t parade around bare-assed outside your suite.”
It takes a lot to shut Rafa up. But it’s hard to form words when your jaw’s on the floor.
“Whoa. Back up, stud muffin.Bride?You’re getting married? Did hell freeze over?”
I chuckle. “Probably. And yes, I’m getting married.”
“This is kind of sudden, don’t you think? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone. Why am I just hearing about this?” His antennae are up, and he looks a bit slighted.
“You didn’t hear about it because, unlike you, I don’t kiss and tell. But it wasn’t sudden. We were betrothed more than six years ago, and it’s time.”
He flops back in the chair. “Dude. I’m sorry.”
“Why?” I probe, even though I know the answer.
“Betrothedis just a fancy term for arranged.”
“In our world, yes. But the arrangement wasn’t made for me. I was a party to the agreement.”
He nods and is quiet for several seconds, as though he’s processing the new information. “Is she hot? Do I know her?”
“First, I suggest if you want to stay on my good side, you don’t refer to my fiancée as hot. Second, yes, I’m sure you know her—or at least know who she is.”
“I’m getting gray here waiting for her name.”
With every person I tell, it becomes more real.It is real. Like it or not, you’re marrying her. I am, and if she’d just behave, I wouldn’t even mind.
“Rafa, I’m sharing this with you because you’re an important part of my life. Other than Cristiano and Lucas, no one else knows this information. And no one can know until I’m ready to divulge it.”
He snickers, making light of the moment. It’s what he does when he’s nervous or uncomfortable. “What, did you kidnap the president’s daughter?”
Not quite—but damn close.“I want your word.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’d take a bullet for you, man.”
“I don’t need you to take a bullet. Just keep your mouth shut.”
“You can trust me.”
“I know.” I meet his prying gaze. “I’m marrying Daniela D’Sousa.”
Rafael’s eyes widen, and he whistles long and low. “Wow.The D’Sousaprincesa.” He shakes his head. “Isn’t she a little young for you?”
I glare at him, and he lifts both hands, palms facing me. “No judgments. I just remember her as an annoying little kid.”
“She’s older than you.”
“Barely.” He laughs. “She finally got her hooks in you.”
I don’t think she sees it quite that way.
“She’s always been into you.”
He has my complete attention. “What are you talking about?” I ask carefully.
“Daniela and her friends. They would always come up to me and ask,Is Antonio in Porto? Is he coming to the feast? Have you seen him?” He grimaces. “God,they were so annoying. The boys and I would say,Yeah, he’s here. We would tell them that even if you were out of the country. One of us would say,I saw him earlier near the rides. Or something like that. They would walk around in circles, for hours, looking for you.”
