Page 15 of Summer Lovin'

He gives me an almost imperceptible nod—an acceptance of me and my unspoken sorrow.

“Damn, I wish I could marry you and change your name right now.” Romero kisses my temple.

“Why can’t you?” Frankie interjects.

“The county courthouse is closed today,” Romero says, releasing his tight hold on me. I turn to find three men staring at us, the smiles on their faces reminiscent of the cartoon cat who ate the canary.

“So, you’ll file the legal paperwork tomorrow, but tonight we’ll hold a wedding and reception at the house,” Frankie says, and Jesus nods his agreement.

“Good idea,mijo.” Paco says, holding his hand out to me. “I guess I’ll be giving the bride away tonight.”

Romero chuckles and motions to the older man. “Jules, this is my godfather, Paco Mercado.”

I give him my hand, and he pulls me into a gentle hug. “Thank you for everything.”

“Our pleasure, Julianna.” He releases me. “Well, if we’re having a wedding tonight, I need to get home to tell my wife.”

“Not a problem, Pop.” Frankie smacks Romero’s shoulder and throws me a wink. “Invite your cousin, Rosie. I’ll pick her up myself.”

Romero presses his lips to mine and then lets me go. “This changes our morning plans, baby. We need to go straight to my house to introduce you to my mother. Something tells me she’s going to want some time with her future daughter-in-law before the wedding.”

* * *

Eight hours later, I’m standing in Aria’s bedroom with my soon-to-be mother- and sister-in-law, Maria and Sophia. Aria is Frankie and Jesus’s younger sister, but she’s in the kitchen right now helping her mother, Gloria, with food.

All I have to do is change my name to Julia, and I fit right into the family.

After Johnny—whom everyone called Romero in high school, but now that I’m taking his last name, it feels weird to continue to call him that—introduced me to his mother, my afternoon was booked with shopping, hair, and a nail appointments. His family is wonderful, and I feel blessed as Sophia adorns my updo with baby’s breath.

“You look so beautiful.” Maria claps her hands together, tears filling her eyes.

“Don’t cry, Momma, or you’ll make the bride cry,” Sophia says.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to stop the tears from falling.” I giggle, wiping gently at my eyes.

Sophia stands back with her mother to stare at me. “I always knew Johnny had a secret girlfriend. No way he was single throughout high school.”

I blush. “Yeah, I guess that was me. We should have done this years ago.”

There’s a knock on the door. Johnny’s brother, Saintiago, stands there wearing a button-down shirt, tie, and a pair of slacks, asking if I’m ready to go.

The Mercado family is very close with their priest, who will perform our ceremony tonight despite the fact we aren’t active in their church.

“I’ll send Paco back to get you.” Maria kisses my cheek and leaves me alone in the room.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror. There’s no doubt about it. I’m a blushing bride and minutes away from becoming Mrs. Johnny Romero. I don’t know what my future looks like as a military wife, but I’m confident it is infinitely better than the life laid out in front of me yesterday morning.

There’s another gentle knock on the door, and then Mr. Mercado opens it. “You ready,mija?”

“Yes.”

“You look beautiful. Johnny’s a lucky man with a big heart. He will take fight for you, care for you, and love you forever. You know?”

“I know.”

He offers me his arm, and I slip my hand into the crook of his elbow. Flashing me a big smile, he tilts his head to the backyard. “Good. Then, let’s get you two married.”

7

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