Page 20 of Rafa's Convenient Wife

“I should have listened to Rafa,” Soila admitted while rubbing Sky’s back. “He said you weren’t ready for this, and I shouldleave it alone.” She made a little amused huff. “But we won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he was right.”

Sky laughed despite her broken heart. “No, he’ll be insufferable.”

Soila smiled and swept wisps of hair behind Sky’s ear. “Mija, we can go home right now. You can wear whatever you want to the wedding. All that matters is that it happens and is legally binding.”

Sky wanted to leave. She wanted to return to the Farias estate, pick up Jasper, and carry him to bed where she could snuggle him until the painful, heart-wrenching agony of losing her sister stopped. She wanted to block out the real world and pretend nothing had happened to Maddie and Jaime.

“Doña Soila,” the lead bridal consultant said carefully, “should we reschedule?”

“No,” Sky answered for her soon-to-be mother-in-law. “I do need a dress.” She untangled herself from Soila’s arms and turned to get a better look at the rack the consultants had rolled into the room. There were three very simple, very understated choices awaiting her. There was a tea-length satin dress that reminded her of Grace Kelly and a champagne pantsuit. Both were fine options, but neither spoke to her.

“This is the one I thought you would like,” Soila said, taking the third hanger from the rack. “What do you think?”

It was nothing like the grand ballgowns she had envisioned wearing on her wedding day. It was knee-length and ivory with a scoop neckline and a traditional A-line skirt. The lace overlay gave it a romantic feel but was restrained and classic.

“I think it’s perfect.” Sky carefully trailed her fingers over the lace sleeves. “I’ll try it on.”

A short while later, standing in front of the mirror, Sky decided Soila had missed a career as a bridal consultant. The dress was even prettier on her body. It fit almost perfectly andmade her feel beautiful. Her wedding day might not be one of romance and dreams come true, but she would look lovely in any photos.

“Later, when an appropriate time has passed, we’ll have a real wedding,” Soila announced on the drive home. “A proper wedding in a church with a Mass and a reception.”

“Mama,” Dina scolded quietly. “Thisisgoing to be a real wedding.”

Soila clicked her teeth. “You know what I mean.”

Lola rolled her eyes and shot Sky an apologetic look. Sky smiled back at her friend and shrugged. She knew that Soila didn’t mean it that way. She tuned out the soft bickering between Dina and her mother and turned her attention out the window of the SUV. The family had a fleet of vehicles and drivers, and she felt suddenly guilty that she didn’t know their current driver’s name.

Is this what my life is going to be like now? Dropping thousands of dollars on a whim? Being shuttled around by employees in expensive cars?

Maddie and Jaime enjoyed a very comfortable lifestyle. Their home was in one of San Antonio’s most exclusive neighborhoods. Jaime had two planes in a private hangar, and Maddie drove a very nice SUV. There were lavish gifts under the Christmas tree and for birthdays and anniversaries.

But, mostly, the couple had lived quietly and not ostentatiously. Sky had lived even more simply. All those years of traveling had ingrained certain habits in her. She kept her wardrobe small and mostly utilitarian. She didn’t wear much jewelry besides the few pieces Maddie had gifted her for birthdays and Christmases.

Rafa, on the other hand, lived like a billionaire. Drivers. Bodyguards. Bespoke suits. He had a certain entitled air about him, and Sky worried he would never feel comfortable in thequiet enclave in San Antonio where Maddie and Jaime had made their home and wanted Jasper raised.

What if we can’t make it work?

What if Rafa feels suffocated by his new role as husband and father?

What if he needs more than I can give him?

Fear twisted her stomach. Failing Jasper was out of the question. She had been entrusted with her nephew by his parents, and she would do anything—anything—to ensure Jasper had the life his parents had dreamed of for him.

When they arrived at the Farias estate, she drifted away from Dina, Lola, and Soila and sought out Jasper. She had left him in Beto’s care, but Jovita directed her to one of the secluded corners of the patio, where she found Rafa on a glider, cuddling Jasper against his chest. Her nephew slept peacefully on his uncle, and Rafa tenderly stroked the soft hair on his head.

Taken aback by the sight of them together, she remained hidden behind the winding vines of a bougainvillea. As she watched the beautiful moment, she realized Rafa had been crying. The sunlight glinted off the wet streaks on his face. Not wanting to intrude, she tried to back away—and stepped on something crunchy.

Rafa stiffened and turned in her direction. She offered an apologetic and awkward smile. “Sorry.”

He relaxed and smiled back. “For what?”

“Spying,” she said and joined them on the glider. Sitting next to him, she kept her gaze fixed forward while he discreetly swept the dried tears from his face.

“How was the trip to the bridal salon?” he asked carefully.

She started to lie and tell him it was fine, but after seeing him so vulnerable with Jasper, she admitted, “I kinda lost it.”

“Sky,” he said so gently.

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