Page 8 of The Bride's Billionaire

Kayla nodded an acknowledgement of the welcome, and they entered together, hiding smiles.

As soon as they were inside, he turned and held out a fist, which she bumped in response. She would have squealed, but she was still trying to play it cool as they took a minute to get a feel for this party.

“Oh, it’s a wedding.” The girls held flowers and had matching dresses. She immediately regretted her own white dress.

But he seemed to sense her doubt, because he whispered in her ear, “You will outshine everyone here. Just own it.”

She squeezed his fingers in response. “Okay, let’s do this. If they are with the groom, we know the bride’s family, or vice versa.”

He nodded. “Sounds good.”

The whole hotel appeared to be rented out just for this party. Everywhere she looked, flowers cascaded down over railings, off of tabletops, along counters and balustrades. The place looked like a floral garden. “Wow, this is really beautiful. I wonder who these people are.”

“I’m guessing if we stay long enough, we will know.” He winked. “Let’s check out the drinks.”

She was parched. “Right with you.”

Most people left them alone. From the few words she overheard, she guessed it to be an international crowd. Some English, some Italian, a bit of Portuguese. They were about to leave the main lobby when a voice called their attention in Italian. Someone was announcing something and gesturing to an enormous staircase that filled the center of the room. People pushed closer and crowded around, facing the stairs. So Tyler and Kayla joined them. He put an arm across her back and pulled her close to his side. If she let herself, she could get used to him, his comforting strength at her side, his amazing spontaneity. She’d been looking for someone like him for a long time.

He raised his eyebrows, and she shrugged. They watched the stairs.

A door at the top opened and a couple exited, the bride and groom. Exclamations of delight filled the room as they stepped down the stairs together. Cameras flashed. Tyler got out his phone. He shrugged at her questioning glance. “This is epic. New wedding goals.”

“What?” She gasped in surprise. Who was this guy?

The bride was beautiful, the groom broad-shouldered and handsome, and everyone around them was supremely and tastefully dressed. Then a woman approached. Kayla stepped back so she could pass. But she stopped in front of them. “I am Marguerite.” Her English sounded American, with perhaps a touch of an Italian accent. She surely looked Italian, with her tight curls and short stature. She waited expectantly.

“Oh, hello, nice to meet you, Marguerite.”

“And you are?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Enchanted to be here.” Tyler bowed and reached for the woman’s hand, which she reluctantly gave.

“Yes. We are so happy we made it, unexpectedly,” Kayla backed Tyler up. “Mother is better for the time being, and Father stayed at her side but said, go, please go, support the family.” She nodded sadly. “And so here we are.”

Marguerite looked from one to the other, her eyes narrowed, but she must have received a call, because she placed a finger at her earbud and began speaking in rapid Italian.

“Come on.” Tyler whispered.

They scooted away as fast as they could and tried to get lost in the crowd of people moving in the direction of the dining room.

Hotel staff stood at the entrance, waving people in. “Open seating.”

“Yes!” Tyler fist pumped the air, and Kayla had to laugh. “Hopefully, there will be room?”

He waved his hand. “Of course.”

Along with everyone else, they joined the buffet line. Kayla leaned close enough to whisper to Tyler, “I’m not really very hungry. Just craving fruit.”

He nodded. “Me too, after all that meat.”

They piled their plates with fruit, papaya, passion fruit, goiaba, pineapple, and found a table in the back corner. Once they were situated, Tyler grimaced. “I do admit to feeling a little guilty now that we are partaking of their food.”

She nodded. “Me too. Maybe I’ll make a donation or something.”

“Good idea.”

Kayla loved that he would care about such a thing. For the first time, she became curious about what he did for a living. “So tell me. What does tomorrow bring for you?”

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