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“Glad to hear that, ’cause this was a one-time deal only. I can hardly move in this dress jacket. Also, this place isn’t really me. What do you say we get out of this fancy-schmancy place? I like Italian more anyway.”
“You do?”
“I’m marrying you, aren’t I?” He dropped a wad of cash on the table, not wanting to wait for his credit card to be processed.
They ended up having dinner at a little Italian place in Tenderloin, a joint where Gio used to work as a busboy.
Mary chuckled when he told her that as he dropped her off later that night.
“Gio working as a busboy?”
“We all have a past.”
“Aren’t you coming in?” She looked up as he stood frozen in the doorway.
“Can’t. If I go in, I won’t leave until I’ve had you naked.”And fucked your very delicious hole.
“Oh.” She nibbled her bottom lip, looking disappointed.
Just two more nights, he told himself. He could get through two more nights.
After that, all bets were off.
CHAPTER 11
MARY
It was the night before her wedding—which would be a small happening at Casa Detta—and Mary found herself at her impromptu bachelorette party.
Jazzy insisted on throwing her one. Mary was fine with that, as long as it was at Club Flux. Luckily, her cousin hadn’t asked why she insisted on this particular place. Perhaps she believed Mary chose it because it was popular and booming, especially on a Friday night.
They were all there—Jazzy, Tommie, and her cousin, Carmen. Jazzy glanced worried looks at her sister, but Carmen’s eyes seemed to stare into oblivion. Mary wished she could help her, but what did you tell a woman who had lost her unborn baby at the hands of her own husband? It had only been six months. She needed time to heal.
Sadly, her own sister, Gina, hadn’t been able to make it. According to her message, she was whisked away by some Brit to Dubai. Gina had ended her message, that she’d be there at Mary’s second, “real” wedding. That remark had hurt. Yes, the reason for her tying the knot was Zoe, but she didn’t see this as a temporary thing. Neither did Hector. Maybe it was selfish to hone in on his good nature, it could even be called abusing his protective streak toward women and children, but she wasn’t sorry that she’d captured him. Hector didn’t know this yet, but no one would love him as much as she did.
“Any particular reason why you chose this place?” Tommie asked.
Jazzy went over to the bar to get them drinks, which probably meant they would have shots all night long.
“I’m looking for someone in here,” Mary admitted.
Tommie blinked. “You have all that hot, grouchy manliness at the tips of your fingers, and are still looking for a man?”
“Of course not. I’m here to speak to Hector’s brother. According to Gio, he’s here tonight.”
“Didn’t know Hector had a brother.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Gio said they aren’t exactly on speaking terms.”
“Uh-oh.” Tommie shook his head. “I can see that nosy sparkle in your eyes. You know this is going to piss him off, right?”
“Whatever do you mean?” she asked innocently.
“You’re a fixer, Mary. Thing is, some people don’t want to be fixed.”
So, okay, he might be a tiny, teensy bit right. But Hector was giving her so much. The chance at her own family. She couldn’t do any less for him.
“It’s the only blood relative he has left,” she explained over the dark, piano music. “If I don’t invite his brother, Hector won’t have any family on his own wedding. Whatever happened between them, I’m sure they can figure it out.”