Page 29 of Say I Do

Gabriela’s perfectly painted red lips snapped shut.

“That’s enough. You came here for something,” Benito said.

“Benny, you always take his side.”

Oh fuck. I knew the waterworks were about to start. I moved fast. I wanted to torture Benito; I didn’t want to deal with a crying diva.

“Gabriela, the shoes! Where did you get them? I have been looking for some new heels.”

Her tears dried up as she looked down at her high heels. Her smile was back just like that.

“These old things?”

Old, yeah, right.There wasn’t so much as a scuff on them. I bet they were the latest pair out. She started talking about how she found them and how much they cost. I tuned most of it out. I glanced at Benito. He was still shirtless, his pajama pants hung loose on his hips. I’d gotten a full look at him while he showered, and I was ashamed at the fact I wanted to see more.

“Oh, we can order you some for the wedding. Of course, we can’t get youthispair. They are one of a kind, dear, but we can get you some,” Gabriela said.

I wonder how Benito would react if I wore heels while in my panties? He definitely liked what he saw.

Benito turned to walk away. I caught him before he could get more than a few steps away. “Where are you going, sugar melon?”

I wasn’t great with cute names, but it was fun calling Benito whatever came to mind. He squinted at me.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

“We’re going to plan our wedding. Your mom fired the wedding planner you hired. Yesterday she stopped by to tell me she was coming by to help us plan.”

“I don’t think you two will need me,” Benito said tightly.

“Ah, poopsy. I don’t want you to feel left out.” I leaned in close, squeezing Benito’s wrist. He was stuck with me. I meant it when I told him I’d make it hell for everyone involved.

“Oh, let him go, Harlow. My sweet Benny can hardly tell the difference between cashmere and silk.”

Shit. Benito smirked at me as he pulled his hand free. He grabbed his stuff while Gabriela was distracted by her phone and escaped. That left me and my mother-in-law alone.

I fucked this up big time.

My first mistake was thinking Gabriela wouldn’t carethatmuch about the wedding stuff. My second was allowing her into the penthouse. She’d invited more people than I’d seen since Benito and I had gotten married. I was surprised he hadn’t come and kicked everyone out.

“No, dear, this won’t do. This is cheap and not at all what I envisioned.” Gabriela was up before I could say a single word.

Who is this wedding for? Her or Benito?Either way, it wasn’t ever going to bemydream wedding. I got up from the couch, more than ready for a break. Gabriela already had more people coming in, and she dismissed more than she accepted.

We were going on five hours. Not once had Benito come out. My ass was sore, and every pattern looked the same. I was ready to throw in the towel.

“I’ll be right back.”

She didn’t so much as look up from the latest binder placed in front of her. I shook my head and made my way to the bedroom. There were too many people around, and I was smiling too much. There was a knock at the door, and Tony let in another set of people. They had just as many folders and binders in their hands. I wasn’t proud of it, but I ran like my ass was on fire.

My cheeks were sore. The moment I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it and let out a long exhale. Tension rolled off of me in waves but never left. I massaged my cheeks, trying my hardest to relieve some of the ache.

Escaping for a bit of reprieve had been the only thing on my mind. The fact that I’d ended up in Benito’s bedroom was purely by mistake. The man himself was in the middle of the bed, surrounded by paperwork, with his laptop in front of him. His brows were furrowed in concentration as he chewed on licorice.

The man ate more sugar than a toddler during Halloween.

“Shit,” I whispered. I should have gone to the guest room. In my defense, I’d made myself at home in Benito’s room. There had been no thought, just the need to escape.

Benito glanced up from his paperwork, his dark gaze laying heavily into my soul. “Bit off more than you can chew?”

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