Page 41 of Naughty and Nice
He kissed the top of my head.
Next, we went to his parents’ home, his home. Maria Ruiz met us at the door. I tried to read if she was truly happy, and I wanted to believe she was. She made a comment about it finally being time Nick wed. At one point, she laced her arm through mine and whispered that she’d raised a good man. This would be a much better union. I wanted to believe her.
Lieutenant Ruiz, Nick’s father, was less gregarious about our announcement. I sensed he and Nick were having some issues but decided not to ask.
Looking up at the ceiling, I faced the fact that today was my wedding day. While my name wasn’t changing, it was. This was a new beginning, despite the old feelings trying to creep into my mind, reminding me of my first marriage.
What did Nick say?
He said he officially evicted Gerardo Ruiz from my thoughts.
I doubted putting that part of my life behind me would be that easy, but if Nick could proclaim it, I could try to live it.
A knock came to my bedroom door.
Hurrying from the bed, I wrapped my robe over my nightgown. I made it to the door on the second knock. Opening the barrier, I found Viviana. “Hola.”
“Hola,” she said with a smile, carrying a tray with coffee. “Lieutenant Ruiz is downstairs. I didn’t want him to see you today, so I brought you coffee. What can I get you for breakfast?”
“Viviana, that’s a silly tradition.”
“It’s a tradition. After your breakfast, Mia has a surprise for you in her bedroom.”
“This was supposed to be a no-fuss wedding.”
“I’m sorry, have you met Señora Roríguez?”
A giggle came from my chest. “I have. Mia never does anything small.”
“I made molletes, but if you’d like something else?—”
“With your homemade bolillo?” I interrupted. “Sí, por favor.”
I’d barely made it out of the bathroom and was standing at the window overlooking the ocean, drinking my coffee, when Mia knocked and entered the bedroom.
“I’m sorry,” she said, “I promised Viviana I’d let you have an easy start to your day, but I can’t wait another second.”
“For what?”
“Come to my room.”
I stood to follow. “El Patrón isn’t in there, is he?”
“Oh heavens no. He’s downstairs in some major war council.”
“War?”
Mia shook her head. “Sorry, no. It’s what I call it when he has the lieutenants and top soldiers together. It’s honestly a weekly event.”
Okay, she scared me.
Leaving my coffee on the table, I followed.
“I confess to sneaking into your bedroom yesterday afternoon to learn your dress size.”
“My dress size?”
“You’re getting married, and you should do it in a new dress.”
