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“You could’ve warned me we were walking into a snake pit,” he murmured back.
“Sorry.”
He squeezed my hip lightly, where his hand was still resting. “Don’t apologize. We’ll talk about why later. How much of a dick was Max growing up?”
My throat swelled.
If Rafael hadn’t just raked him and my dad through the coals, I wouldn’t have been comfortable opening up. But he had, so I was. “He bullied me constantly. There’s only a year and a half between us, so… yeah. It was bad. They always took his side.”
“And culinary school tipped it over the edge?”
I made a noise of agreement. “They told me they were transferring my trust fund into his account if I applied. I transferred it myself, and moved out a few hours later. If my grandma had still been alive, she would’ve supported me, but she had been gone for a few years by then.”
“Damn.”
I nodded.
He squeezed my hip again. “Well, I’m glad you got out when you did. I prefer you as you are.”
“You’d like the fake boobs, if I had them,” I countered.
He laughed—a booming laugh that made people turn their heads again. This time, a few of them grinned back when they did. “Why would I want to change perfection?”
“I still think you’re lying,” I warned, though I couldn’t hide my smile.
“I’ll have to remind you how perfect I find them when we’re alone tonight, then.”
My smile widened, and he led me over to a tent. “Ready to meet some more demons, Tater-tot?”
“Soready, Riffraff.”
He laughed again at my nickname for him, pulling me even closer as we approached another umbrella.
thirteen
TATUM
We spenta few hours on the beach as he introduced me around. I wouldn’t remember the names of the people he introduced me to, but most of them seemed nice enough that I didn’t think they’d be offended.
Rafael and I went back to our room to grab my dresses, then walked down the hall with all four of the heavy, luxurious bags. He held them up off the ground so they didn’t drag, and I glanced up at him. “So, how weird is this thing going to be?”
He grinned. “Pretty weird. But as long as no one kisses you, I won’t have to kill anyone.”
I snorted. “That makes me feel better.”
“You’ll have fun. The whole purpose is to remind me how lucky I am that you’re mine, so it’ll be better for you than for me. You’re the one being celebrated, and you deserve it.” The words were simple, but they made me happy.
Really, really happy.
“Thanks, I think.”
He chuckled, lifting my knuckles to his lips and brushing a kiss to them.
“Thanks for not flirting with Alena, too,” I added, my voice a bit softer. I didn’t want to admit it, but that would’ve killed me a little bit. And not in a good way.
“I have no interest in your sister-in-law, or anyone else for that matter. You’re it for me, remember?” he set my hand on the center of his chest, so I could feel his heart beating steadily against my palm.
“I remember.”
