Page 23 of The No Falling Rule
Diego
Ithrew on a pair of linen pants and a cashmere sweater, thinking the rehearsal would be indoors. But, in true Violeta fashion, my niece decided to change the location at the very last second.
I still don’t even understand why I need to be here when I’m not part of the wedding party—but here I am, the dutiful uncle, showing upanyway.
“Good to see you, little brother,” Armando says, voice dripping with that usual smugness. “For a moment I thought you’d left.”
“Nope. I wouldn’t miss my niece’s wedding.” It’s all I give him. Short and clean—no room for him to dig further.
“At least it’s good to know you still prioritize family. Now the business…” Fernando adds, sliding into the seat next to me in the makeshift rehearsal area.
I bite the inside of my cheek before answering. “I prioritize business when it’s the right time—not when we’re in the middle of a wedding, for Chrissake.”
Armando smirks. “So now we’re back to caring about the wedding,” he adds. “Because the last thing I heard, you were giving the luxury treatment to the girl you threw into the pool.”
I close my eyes and count to five. I promised myself I wouldn’t lose my temper and ruin Violeta’s rehearsal, but my brothers are really trying me right now.
“What I do in my life is none of your business,” I say, my tone calm but unyielding. “I’m using my own money and my own time. It shouldn’t matter who I spend it with.”
“Hisownmoney, he says,” Armando scoffs. “Keep thinking that way, little brother. Maybe one day you will actually make your own money.”
“That’s enough,” Dad’s voice booms behind us. Even after all these years, it still has the power to make us all sit up straighter. “Diego is as much my son as you or Fernando.”
He gives Armando a pointed look, and for once, my oldest brother actually has the decency to look contrite.
“The father of the bride is requested by the orchids near the ceremony area,” the wedding coordinator calls out through a megaphone. Armando stands, adjusts his jacket, and stalks off toward where Violeta’s waiting.
“I’m sorry Armando was being an ass to you,” Fernando says once he’s gone. “In all honesty, I’m happy you’re having a good time with that girl.”
He sounds sincere, but I don’t believe him. He’s always been nice when it’s convenient for him. Lord knows what he’s after now.
“Well, good,” I say, standing and dusting off my pants. “Because she’s coming with me to dinner tonight.”
I’ve had enough of family politics for one day.
It’s time to go pick up Mia.
“Wow…”
Words fail me as I take her in—Mia in a beautiful, understated lilac dress that drapes around her body like mist. The long layers move when she breathes, giving her this almost ethereal look.
“Thank you,” she says, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes drop for a second, her smile widening.
Yes, baby. The feeling’s mutual.
A faint blush creeps up her chest, proof she felt the heat in my stare.
I crook my elbow the same way I did last night, and she slips her arm through mine like it’s second nature. We start walking toward the ceremony area. It’s crazy how easy this feels—like we’ve known each other for years, not barely over twenty-four hours.
“Happy first day,” I blurt out.
Mia blinks at me, puzzled.
“Yes, it’s officially been over twenty-four hours since we met,” I clarify.
The realization clicks, and the glint in her eyes could light up the entire island. “You’re silly,” she says, leaning in to place a chaste kiss on my jaw.
“A good kind of silly? Or the ‘I can’t wait to get rid of this man’kind?” I ask, not recognizing myself. I’ve never been with someone who makes me care about her thoughts and her feelings toward me.
