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Not a few seconds later, the door opens and Nat pokes her head in. “How’s it hanging, chica?”
My lips twitch at that, and I can’t help myself. “To the left and soft.”
“Dork.” Luna snorts, pushing her cousin out of the way before padding over to the bed and climbing in beside me. She’s glowing. So happy. I want that, too. “By the way, Alvin’s all set to be your new partner.”
“Are you sure? What about the girl—”
“I have a back-up plan for everyone.” Mrs. De Leon to-be winks and then lays her head on my shoulder. “Besides, it’s a three-person switch and no hassle at all.”
“Thank you.” This leaves me on a long exhale.
“My pleasure, babes.” I’m so blessed to have them in my life. How many women would do something like that, on the day of their wedding no less? But then there’s my guilt for creating this problem to begin with.
Another reason to get away; I don’t want to burden anyone. “I’m sorry.”
“Stop that.” She smacks my thigh hard and lifts her face toward mine, eyes narrowed. “I love you, and breakfast is ready. The others are starting to arrive. Just the women, by the way. Thiago kicked out anyone with a penis.”
Remorse flares again. Did she ask him on my behalf?
“He doesn’t need to do that.”
“It was for me,” Luna reassures, but I don’t believe it. Does he know? Do they all? If they do, I know it wasn’t because of Nat or Luna. This is all on me. My fault. I’ve spent years chasing after Ivan like a lost puppy. “The decorators are outside with the planner and with the ladies getting ready downstairs, it would’ve been too many people. My anxiety was high just thinking about it and Thiago reacted, almost shot Ivan—” At his name, I cringe but they don’t call me out on it.
“Anyways...” Nat drags out the word, and I also don’t miss the pointed look she gives her cousin. “Everyone’s gone but the bridal party and Mami De Leon. They’re downstairs and waiting, babes. We’re going to eat, drink some mimosas, and get dolled up within an inch of our lives. You in?”
Not a question. More like testing how I feel.
“I am. I’m in need of a lot of coffee, not booze.”
“How much are we talking about here?” Luna lifts her head and bumps her shoulder with mine. “Because I have the good stuff straight from Colombia; Alejandro sent it as part of his wedding present. Coffee and money. Can’t ever go wrong with the two.”
“Like an obscene amount, ladies.”
“Obscene sounds good.” Nat walks to the bathroom and comes back with a silk robe. My initials are over the right side and Main Bitch 2 is embroidered on the back. I also notice it's just like hers, except she’s number 1 by default as her cousin. “There’s also pastries and tostadas and churros.”
“You had me at pastries.”
“I know.” She tosses the robe at me, and I catch it before slipping from the bed. “Now let’s go. We have a lot to do, and the bride needs to be ready early. We both know Thiago isn’t staying away for long.”
Closing the wrap and looping the belt, I walk toward the door and then look back from over my shoulder. “My money’s on him barging in mid hair and demanding we get out.”
“I don’t think he’ll make it that long.”
“Hundred bucks?”
Nat winks, getting that I don’t want to talk about me today. “Five hundred and you’re on.”
“Deal.”
“You two suck.” Luna’s smiling, though. She scrambles off the bed and rushes to the door, smacking Natasha on the arm as she does. In a few strides, she’s beside me and wraps her arm around my waist. Our eyes meet and I see concern in them, the last thing I want for her wedding day. “Tell me you’re okay, and I’ll make sure you win.”
“I am.”
“And you won’t let him get to you?”
“He won’t. Promise.” My heart can’t take him being close again. “So let’s get you married.”
“Yeah.” Her smile widens. The kind of look she gets when she’s about to be a smartass. “Let’s go make an honest man out of Thiago De Leon.”
