Page 30 of Say I Do

Yes. “No, I’m having a fun time with your mom. Did you know she had a perfect wedding dreamt up for you?”

Benito laughed as he went back to typing on his laptop. My stomach twisted as a strange need took over. I wanted his dark brown eyes trained on me, peering into my soul and picking me apart.

“That is a lie. If there is one thing about Gabriela Perez-Vitale, it’s that she does nothing if it doesn’t benefit her.”

“And how would our wedding benefit her?”

Benito dropped the paperwork in his hand. “Easy. This is a public event. All eyes will be on us, and the bigger she can make it, the better. She will do everything in her power to be the center of attention.” He shrugged as if it was normal. “You know how moms are.”

“I don’t.” I wouldn’t, considering my dad’s wife wasn’t a mom to me. She never treated me like a son, although Lorelei and I had lived with them since we were five. She made it clear she saw us as nothing more than the whore’s children.

“Count yourself lucky. Where is your mother?” Benito asked.

I shrugged. “Probably dead or so high she’s teetering on the line of life and death.”

Benito stopped moving for a short second. His brows drew together as he glanced up at me. I didn’t know what to expect when our eyes met. But whatever shimmered there for a moment could almost be mistaken for sympathy. My stomach tightened, and I let out a sigh of relief when Benito changed the subject.

“If you let her, she will plan it to her liking.”

“That’s fine. I had no preference anyway.” I picked up one of the sheets of paper. My eyes started to burn at all the numbers, and I placed it back down. Give me a dead body to take care of any day. Anything was better than sitting behind a desk with my thumbs up my ass.

“What will you offer me to save you from your own mess?” Benito asked.

“I won’t try and kill you for 24 hours.”

“Not good enough.”

I smirked and leaned forward. “Want to use one of the toys around the house?”

“No,” Benito gritted out. “You do whatever I say.”

I huffed out a laugh. “We both know that won’t work. How about you get one wish, no matter what it is.”

Benito nodded. He was up and out of bed before I knew what was happening. I rolled off the end and followed behind him. He stopped at the kitchen, where Gabriela had even more people talking and handing her things.

“Benny! There you are. Just like your father, always working.” She picked up three different cloths. They were all the same color. “Which one do you two like best? I personally love the pearl finish of the Chanel.”

“Mom, Harlow and I were talking, and we believe it would be best if you planned this.”

Her face lit up. “Oh, but—”

Benito pulled her in for what looked like an awkward hug. His back was stiff, and his arms were rigid. “We are both out of our element, and having you plan it would make it more meaningful to us both.” Benito stepped back, and held his hand out for me. I moved forward, knowing I had to play along.

If I had to look at one more flower arrangement or decide on what china would look best, I’d grab Benito’s gun and blow my brains out. Gabriela didn’t put up any more of a fight.

“If you think that’s best, Benny.” She turned around and snapped her fingers. “Everyone pack up. I’m sure my son and his fiancé want some alone time.” She smiled at us as if she was doing this for our benefit. She was going to control most of the wedding anyway. Might as well hand it over to her.

“Thank you so much, Gabriela,” I said.

She came over to me, and we kissed each other’s cheeks before she did the same to Benito. “We will have a get-together to figure out what you two will be wearing later.” She looked at me again, her sharp gaze cut to my body. “Will you wear a wedding dress?”

“He’s a man.” Benito said at the time I said, “yes.”

“What?” Benito turned to look at me.

“I have no problem wearing a dress. I enjoy a good suit as much as a form-fitting dress.”

“Multiple outfits can be arranged.”

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