Page 62 of Queens and Monsters

“Catalina? She should have it.”

Dario shook his head. “Catalina’s ring is a family heirloom. I told her today about the ring and my idea for you to have it. She agreed without hesitation.”

“What? You want me to have it?”

“Even though I was never brave enough to give it to her, it’s a part of your sister. If you don’t want it…”

I hugged the box to my chest. “I do.”

“You should have a ring when you’re married.” He reached forward. “I’ll give it to Reinaldo.” A smile cracked his veneer. “You deserve a big wedding.”

Closing the lid, I handed the box back to Dario. “I don’t care about the wedding. I care about who I’m marrying.” My stomach growled and I quickly laid my hand over it.

“Contessa has food for you in the kitchen. You should eat and then…your wedding.”

I looked down at my leggings and sweater. “I need to change.”

“That’s up to you. Dante is in charge of getting the priest here tonight.”

My eyes opened wide. “Oh my God. I’m really getting married.”

His cheeks rose in an unusually pronounced grin. “You are.”

The next hour flew by. Contessa had a variety of options for me when it came to food. I settled on scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit. I’d been asleep long enough to feel like it was morning instead of nearing midnight.

Catalina, Contessa, and Camila gathered with me in my bedroom to help me prepare. A thorough inspection of the dresses hanging in my closet sent both Catalina and Camila to their own closets for options.

“I doubt I’ll fit in any of Camila’s clothes,” I said to Contessa when we were alone. Peering down, I smiled. “I’m more endowed than she is.”

Contessa reached for my hand. “I’m sorry.”

Tonight must be the night for apologies.

“Why?”

“The things I said about Mr. Roríguez and Mr. Ruiz on Christmas Eve. I was wrong to judge them. Today, I’ve watched him. He’s a strong man and still he was racked with worry about you.” She nodded. “He cares for you.”

“I care for him, too.”

“Will you forgive me?”

I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “I did a long time ago.”

Contessa wiped away a tear from her cheek. “I’m going to put together a wedding reception. If only you would have given me more time.”

“We don’t need a reception.”

She waved me off, nearly colliding with Catalina in the doorway.

“I found these,” Catalina said, carrying an armload of white dresses. “If you’d like” —she dropped the others on my bed and pulled out her wedding dress— “you could wear this.”

I gasped, remembering how beautiful she looked during their wedding. Running my fingers over the white material, I assessed the flowing skirt, chapel-length train, a sweetheart neckline, a shape-forming bodice, and a long line of pearl buttons down the back.

Camila appeared in the doorway with her own load of dresses in all colors. “You had it repaired,” she said to Catalina.

Catalina rolled her eyes. “Arianna had it repaired.” She held up the bodice. “You can’t tell it was ripped.”

“Dario ripped it?” I asked.

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