Page 42 of What She Wants

“We will,Chiquita,” Nico says. “First, we have a Costa Rican tradition to honor.”

Since this is the second time meeting him, I’m still not used to Santí speaking to me so the blush forms as I shrug.

“Well, I’ll be quiet and not stand in the way of tradition.”

Marín rolls his eyes but his dad rearranges the guys and now I’m curious.

“Alright,hijo. Ready.”

Marín clears his throat and starts singing. The ladies start to ease out but I’m stuck on the fact that he sings. This would have been even more surprising before I knew who his dad was. Yet another thing I had to learn.

My brain finally clicks that they’re singing the slow version of “Cuff It.”

Once he sings that he feels like falling in love, it does something inside of me that I cannot fully describe. Butterflies? When he sings about wanting something in his cup one of the guys fills his red cup with some sort of alcohol.

I shift as I watch, more into this than I expected, he hits a note that gives me goosebumps and shows me that he’s in fact his father’s son. The guys sing background while his dad fills in some of the main parts. He of course changed some lyrics to suit him.

“I’m Mr. Nasty, I’ll beat it up,” he continues while looking me in the eyes.

That makes my guests giggle but I’m stuck on the near perfect harmonies and the fact that he’s out here with his dad talking about fucking up the night. He’s right; I’ve never had fun like this with a guy.

If I weren’t still on my period, he in fact would have sang me out of my panties. Especially when he circles back to the love part. Because now it’s not about him wanting to fall in love, it’s about him already falling in love. I know the song so I know Beyoncé sang the hell out of that part but so did Marín. He made me feel like just maybe I’m falling as well.

Two of the guys put a ladder and he climbs it during the ‘for you’ portion of the song. His dad and the guys finish out the song while Marín finishes climbing up. In true Delgado fashion, he steals a kiss as my guest claps.

“Hi,” he greets me when he pulls back. “I got something for you.”

“Oh really?”

He pulls out a box and opens it for me. An engagement ring sits in it, sparking in my outside lights. I can tell it’s an expensive custom piece and that kicks my heart rate up several notches. I’m not excited about the money, it’s impossible for a LeClaire to be impressed by money. It’s the fact that he got it custom. It’s a thought out gesture and the amount of money it costs to get it from our family’s jewelry shop is in fact a true commitment.

The tiara design is filled with lavender stones and is somewhat just as fitting as him picking a song mainly about sex. There is even ME lightly carved into the main stone.

“For Marin and Esme,” he explains the engraving as he slides it on my finger then kisses the space above it.

There are a million things I want to say but my brain can’t focus on any of them.

“Thank you.” I blurt out like an idiot and he laughs once again.

“Until next time, Chispa.” With another kiss he’s gone back to the ground. He and his band disappear soon after.

I turn with what must look like a love struck grin that pulls a giggle out of Ainslee.

“You were saying?” Sienna teases.

Fixing my face, I fold my arms. “What? I'm just gonna add that not only is he bossy, he’s extra.”

Chapter25

Esme

My stomach is in knots.Even with all of the activities leading up to this moment, I still cannot believe that I’m about to get married. I run my fingers across the pearls that Marín gave me the night before but it all is still very surreal. My engagement ring picks that moment to reflect the sun and remind me of one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever experienced.

My sisters look up at me as I turn slowly in my dress. I can tell that they like it but Karessa is literally clutching her pearls. It’s risque but I wanted to my dress to be a big fuck you to Mireya. Traditional Catholic wedding my ass, her son hijacked my hand in marriage and she’s been cursing my name for years. Why would I give a shit if my outfit will make his grandmother uncomfortable? Mireya can suck it. She and her son still haven’t resolved their tiff and while he doesn’t mention it, I know it bothers him. Luckily his dad can fill that space for now.

I have my family to consider. I went dress shopping with my mom since there wasn’t time for custom. She understands my moments of spitefulness because I got it from her. She’s just the little angel on my shoulder making sure I don’t go too far.

I’m real life about to be Mrs. Delgado and I still can’t wrap my mind around the whirlwind that got me here. My dad was right, it is a narrative I created. While I’d like to say that it’s because he’s the first available guy I saw, deep down I know that it’s not correct. He was the first available guy who I thought was worthy enough to have such a title. I should have known that I was too notable of a person to get away with a little white lie. I guess it never occurred to me that my accomplice would actually want to get married. Jokes on me.

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