Page 55 of When Javi Dumped Mari

Javi

Now

Igrip the bathroom counter, bow my head, and take in a deep breath. The steak was delicious, yet my stomach’s churning. Not because of the food, but because I’m barreling toward the inevitable.

There’s only one day to go, and although I definitely think Alex is an asshole, he’s done nothing disqualifying.

Would I choose him for Mari? No. But that’s not groundbreaking.

I wouldn’t choose anyone for Mari—except myself.

Is that reason enough to blow up this wedding?

Of course not. Besides, Mari’s told me in no uncertain terms that she doesn’t want me to.

I lift my head and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I’m a decent guy, and big things are on the horizon for me, I can feel it. My friendship with Mari will endure, whether Alex likes it or not. That’s got to be enough.

A flush in one of the stalls draws my gaze to the person leaving it.

Christ. Not now.

Luiz nods at me, then silently washes his hands.

When he finally speaks, his voice is low, his tone sharp: “I thought we had an understanding. But you’re here, insinuating yourself into everything and trying to make trouble.”

I could attempt to argue my case, explain that Alex is the true source of much of this weekend’s sabotage, but what would be the point? Luiz doesn’t like me, and nothing I say will appease him. I’m the one who doesn’t fit into his carefully constructed world. I’m the interloper.

“Mari asked me to be here, and if you need to be reminded, this weekend is all about her, about them.”

“So, what are you going to do next?” he asks, his eyes shooting sparks. “Raise your hand when the officiant asks for any objections?”

“I hadn’t planned on it,” I say. Wanting to annoy him, I shrug and add, “But one never knows what can happen at a wedding.” In truth, I’d never do anything to mess up Mari’s big day.

This is important to her, so it’s important to me.

Sure, I wanted to find a reason why Alex wasn’t her match, but I’m man enough to step aside.

My throwaway remark has incensed Luiz, however. He grabs my arm and spins me toward him, then raises his finger in front of my face. “Me escute, filho da puta!”

I back away and throw up my hands. “Luiz, relax. I was joking . Jesus. I would never—”

“You better be joking,” he says, turning to the mirror and straightening his blazer. “This wedding isn’t just about Mari and Alex. It’s about our family . My legacy .”

“Legacy? Do you even know if Mari wants children?”

He meets my gaze in the reflection and rolls his eyes.

“Not that kind of legacy. The firm. Her future. Alex’s future.

Those two are going to run that firm together one day.

He’ll temper her softheartedness. Make the hard decisions.

He’ll do what I would have done. She needs him.

And when Mari’s ready to have children, Alex will run the place.

It’s how it should be. How I planned it. ”

I frown at him. “Does Mari know any of this? That you have her life mapped out for her? That you’re planning to give the firm to her husband? That you expect her to give up her career for the kids she may or may not want?”

“She’ll know soon enough. It’s what her mother did.”

“And look how that worked out,” I mutter.

He grimaces. “Don’t pretend you know anything about me or my ex-wife. You don’t. What matters right now is that Alex knows his role, knows what’s at stake. I’ve been preparing him for years.”

Christ, this is all kinds of fucked up. But would Mari see it that way?

Would she be satisfied with the crumbs her father is apparently intending to give her?

She’s poured her whole life into the firm.

Has plans for its expansion. Wants to make it a place where small-business owners can thrive too. Is that mission even on Luiz’s radar?

He turns to me again. “Let me give you some advice: If you want to be in my daughter’s life, shut your mouth and smile tomorrow. This is much bigger than you or whatever fairy tale is in that lazy head of yours.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask through narrowed eyes. “What happens if I tell Mari everything?”

“It would break her heart, and you know it,” he replies blandly. “Do you really want to do that? And besides, if this wedding doesn’t happen, guess who’ll get the firm eventually anyway?”

Jesus. I hate this man at the molecular level. “You’d let Alex run it.”

“It only makes sense. He’s the future, and he understands the big picture.”

“So why the marriage?”

“Don’t you worry about that,” he bellows. “I’m not some foolish villain here to spill all my secrets.”

“And yet…”

He glares at me, his jaw clenched. “You know what? If you had listened to me all those years ago and stayed out of Mari’s life like I asked, you wouldn’t even be here. So be happy you’re a guest and get out of my way.”

With my hands fisted at my sides, I don’t hesitate to get up in his face.

“I shouldn’t have listened to you then, and I shouldn’t listen to you now.

You’ve always thought I wasn’t good enough for Mari, but you’re wrong.

I am good enough for her. You know why? Because her happiness will always come first for me. Always. Can you say the same?”

The tension between us is a bow bending in the seconds before it snaps apart. We stare at each other in silence, until we’re startled by the restroom door swinging open, followed by the sounds of people talking in the hall. Luiz recovers quickly, plastering on a fake-ass smile. Yet no one comes in.

God, if Mari knew what her father’s been up to, she’d be distraught, heartbroken, disillusioned.

Her world would never be the same. If she wants to marry Alex, and Alex wants to marry her, though, how can I interfere?

How can I shatter her dreams? I’m not the guy I was eight years ago when Luiz cornered me in that lobby.

No, I’d fight for Mari this time. But would she want me to?

Would she resent me for it? I don’t know what to think, what to do.

I’m stuck. Which, I suppose, is exactly what Luiz wants.

“Do we understand each other?” Luiz asks.

I’m once again on the spot, warring with myself to choose between what is best for the one person in the world I’d do anything for and what would make me happy. In the end, it’s always been her. It’s always been about her. After a long moment of silence, I nod. “Yeah, we do.”

Luiz stomps away, leaving me staring at my reflection and wondering if I’m doing the right thing. Damn, this anguish is going to eat me up inside. And I should know. That’s what happened last time.