Page 53 of Born a Queen

"Then you’ll need some help. I don't think you’re capable of planning a wedding in two months by yourself, and I don’t want you stressing yourself out trying." He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to defend herself. "You have some wonderful qualities, but I suspect event planning isn't one of them. You’re a loner. And there's nothing wrong with that, but I believe some help will make this easier on you."

Okay, he wasn’t wrong about the loner thing. Raina was one of those people that gained energy from being alone. She liked that Mateo didn't seem to mind that she wasn't a social creature. That she felt shy and awkward around too many people and tended to avoid crowds. Purposefully planning a wedding that would include a crowd did seem a little beyond her.

"Who are you suggesting help me?" she asked tentatively.

"Your mother." He said, tapping her phone, which was on the bench beside her, Betty Boop case on full display.

"Which mother do you think should help me?"

Her mothers were so different that Raina could only imagine what they would come up with for the wedding. Diane would definitely want more of a simple rustic theme; she'd be all about making the guests comfortable. Vee… well… Raina wasn't entirely sure what Vee would want. She didn't know her birth mother well enough yet, but she suspected Vee would be all about the expensive dresses, flowers and catering.

"Talk to both of them," he said as he stood up.

"Okay."

Mateo set the chair aside and stepped up to Raina's side, towering over her. She tilted her head to look at him, her heart pounding in anticipation. He reached for her, his hand going to her chin to tip her face up. She suspected he wanted a kiss, but as his hand touched her face, out of the corner of her eye she saw deep scrapes. She grabbed hold of his hand and brought it up to eye level. His knuckles were red and raw, and covered in scrapes.

She looked up at him, her fingers still holding his hand. "You hit someone." It wasn't a question. She knew they were offensive wounds.

He didn't bother to deny it and he didn't try to joke it off by saying she should see the other guy. Instead he held her gaze and moved his hand so that he was cupping her chin. He was traced his thumb over the smooth skin and said, "So fucking beautiful. I don’t know how I’ll wait until our wedding."

His eyes narrowed as he scanned her. She squirmed in the window seat, suddenly wishing that she was wearing more than a brief pair of shorts and a cami top. She felt vulnerable and his words sounded like a warning.

"I don’t know if I can wait until our wedding either," she admitted.

He released her chin and turned to walk away. At the door he paused and glanced back at her. "You may invite your mother for a visit, if you wish." He thought about it for second and seemed to gird himself for the next sentence. "Both of them."

Raina snickered as she pictured Mateo and Vee inhabiting the same house while the wedding planning was going on. She suddenly realized that was exactly the sort of drama she needed in her life.

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