Page 79 of Dex

Zach seems to be the only one who is genuinely smiling.As if he’s enjoying this.As if he thinks this is real.He leans over to whisper something to Cari, and she giggles.I’m curious to know what he said.He’s probably making a bet about whether Daniela will slap me before the night is over.

My gaze returns to Rio again.I need to know he’s okay with this, now that this is the moment where it’s all happening.He looks too still, too pensive almost as if he might be thinking that he could have been up here, marrying Daniela instead of me.A prick of guilt stabs me, but then I see him looking around.And I see who he’s looking at.

There, in the first row, is Daniela’s friend.The one in the bar.The one Rio was flirting with.The corporate lawyer with the big red lips.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Rio and I are good.He’s not sitting there wondering about Daniela.The man has moved on.He’s on a chase.Going after Raquel, I’m sure of it.But, if I’m being truthful, it’s not only that I was worried about hurting Rio, but something like jealousy prickled along my spine at the thought of him lusting after my wife.Mypretendwife, sure.But still … I didn’t like it.

Our father sits upright.His back ramrod straight.His gaze directly in front, stone-faced, emotionless.I wonder what machinations are going through his head?What he’s thinking.What sort of a deal he’s struck.I’m about to play along with his demands and then I’ll turn the game on him.

This is his victory.I’m doing what I’m told.Marrying the girl.Securing the business deal.He doesn’t realize I’m already planning to destroy it all.

And yet … when Daniela comes into my line of vision, something in my chest tightens.She looks beautiful.Too beautiful for words.The kind of beautiful that tempts a man to forget his own rules.

But I won’t.

Not now.

Not ever.

Because I’m not Jett.

I’m not going to be a fool for a woman.

My lips turn up at the corners instinctively, and I break out into a genuine smile, because … becausethis could be real, a voice in my head says.

Sometimes when I wake up, it feels real.Until I remember.

Daniela looks stunning, and that dress hugs her every curve.She’s smiling at me, not a wide smile, but a smile that needs reciprocity, a sending-out-feelers smile, as if she’s trying to gauge my thoughts.

That’s when it comes flooding back in vivid color.The kiss.Something that was supposed to be flirty and fleeting, but it set my soul on fire.

Who am I kidding?

I haven’t been able to get Daniela out of my head since that night.

But I remind myself that this is just an arrangement.One that Daniela instigated.

Chapter 20

DANI

The officiant says the vows in Portuguese first, then English, for Dexter’s benefit.

His voice is steady, reverent, the words floating through the warm evening air but I barely hear them.My hands tremble slightly as I take Dexter’s hand and instinctively give a gentle squeeze, but he doesn’t squeeze back.Doesn’t offer comfort.

I convince myself that it’s fine as I recite my vows.But they feel real.Like I believe them.Like I mean every word.When it’s Dexter’s turn, he delivers his lines effortlessly.

Like a man closing a business deal.

“I do.”The words mean nothing to him.

But when he slides the ring onto my finger, something feels different.I see it on his face.A glimmer of uncertainty.Or maybe a realization, confirmation, even, that he doesn’t want to do this.

Something about the sight of my hand wearing his ring unsettles him.It’s so clear to me, but thankfully, no one will notice.

What are we doing?

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