Page 21 of Impossible Thrills

“Si, por favor.”

The shopkeeper brought a rod and lifted it down. He held it up next to Darcy. “Ah, muy hermosa. Si, si?” He gestured to the dress.

“Yes, gracias,” Darcy said.

He and Paul quickly discussed price, then Paul handed over some cash.

“Un momento.” The man bustled into the shop.

Darcy smiled at Nick. “Does muy hermosa mean …” She trailed off. She’d heard the term and thought it was beautiful. She didn’t want to be fishing for a compliment.

“Very beautiful,” Nick said in a husky tone that shot warmth clear through her. She felt very beautiful in his eyes.

The man bustled back out with the dress in a bag, presenting it with a slight bow to Darcy. “Gracias, bella dama.”

“De nada.” At least she remembered that much. She mostly stayed at home and focused on her little ones. The children who could talk spoke fluent English and rarely threw Spanish terms in.

“Wait a minute.” Jagger was suddenly at her shoulder. “You made us get all dressed up. You have to put the dress on.”

Nick’s gaze said he’d love to see her wear it.

“How about I put it on for dinner?” she suggested. “I don’t want to spill my gelato on it.”

“Gelato?” Jagger asked.

“Finally!” Hays cheered.

The rich ice cream was delicious, and they savored it on a bench by the clock tower in the warm late afternoon. When they returned to the yacht, they thanked Paul and Raoul, said their goodbyes, and waved as they watched them motor off.

“Dinner time?” Jagger asked.

Darcy laughed. “Did we not just eat ice cream?”

“Ice cream doesn’t count. It seeps into all the holes.”

“You can eat my dinner,” she told him.

“Yes! Thank you, sister.” He bowed slightly to her.

Darcy absolutely loved that. “I’ve never had a brother.”

Jagger suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Well, now you have three. Let’s go eat.”

“Do you want to change into your beautiful dress?” Nick asked.

“Oh, sure.”

“I’ll walk you to your suite.”

“Thank you.”

Jagger pumped his eyebrows obnoxiously as they walked past.

“Stop it.” She shoved at his thick shoulder. “I pushed you away in the water. I can push you into it.”

“Try it.” He folded his brawny arms across his chest.

“Nick, will you help me? He really is like the annoying older brother I never wanted.”

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