Her jaw drops.
Chapter 21
Michaela
Keira’s eyes widen in delight as she takes a bite of cake. She points an animated fork to the piece of cake on her plate as she chews, nodding in approval.
“Good God, this champagne cake is delicious, and moist, and buttery,” she says after swallowing.
Like the rest of the day, the cake cutting went without a hitch.
“If I ever get married, I’m so hiring the chefs at the Pompadour Hotel.” Her gaze slides to Rhys who’s laughing it up with Dad, Uncle Ian, and my father-in-law.
Complicit giggles erupt from both of us when our gazes meet.
“You’re so obvious,” I say.
“Says the new bride. You couldn’t stick to the script. You had to break with tradition and nix the tossing of the bouquet,” she says. “Even with my injured leg, I was ready to duke it out to catch it.”
“You don’t need a bouquet. That guy is so into you.”
“You think?”
She asks a question she knows the answer to.
I give her a,are you fucking with me right nowlook?
“Okay, maybe he likes me as much as I like him.” She glances over at Rhys again. She has it bad. “Like I was saying, I want tohire the Pompadour chefs because the food is out of this world and this cake is positively the best thing I have ever eaten in my life.”
“I agree,” I say, shoving another forkful into my mouth.
We’re both on our second serving of cake.
“I know your husband is a billionaire and owns a fleet of luxury hotels, but I still can’t get over how his dream team put together an outstanding wedding in a matter of days,” Keira says, her eyes scouring the garden. “And you didn’t even have to lift a finger.”
“This fairytale wedding surpasses any of my wildest dreams.”Too bad it’s fake.
Abuelita Noelia waves and winks as she strolls by, hanging from the arm of one of Phoenix’s Argentinian cousins on her way to the dessert table.
Guilt washes over me.
She believes I’m her new granddaughter-in-law. The worst part is, she’s the sweetest woman, even if she thinks my Spanishisn’t very good looking. I force a smile and wave back.
“I still can’t get over AbuelitaNoelia giving youthe talk,” Keira says.
“Neither can I. Bless her for feeling the need to assume the role of sage adviser since my mother, my mother-in-law and both of my grandmas have passed away.” According to Abuelita Noelia, I look as innocent as a virgin debutante, therefore, she wanted me to be prepared for my wedding night. I had to bite the inside of my cheek not to laugh during her Sex Ed 101 talk. I commend Phoenix’s cousin for not cracking up. One of them was indulgent enough to double as a translator.
“At least now you’re armed with a crash course on how to please your husband on your wedding night.” Keira laughs her head off.
I lean into her and murmur low in her ear. “Between us girls, I already crushed the course. And FYI, my husband ispleased with my performance.” I pull away from her and let my words sink in.
Her eyes widen so much, they practically take over her face. “No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“You changed your mind––”
“Do you already have second thoughts about the wedding?” A man I didn’t notice approach, interrupts Keira.
