“According to our research, yes.” Mama crossed her arms over her reindeer sweater. “We took extra precautions by performing all of the rituals. There’s nothing more we can do.”The last sentence was said in the tone of a stoic. Fate would now take over. It was out of her hands.
Thank God.
A rapid tap on the door drew his attention. It was Lisa. Her appearance took his breath away. Would that ever change? He didn’t think so. She halted just inside the entryway and waved her hand in front of her nose. “What’s that hideous smell?”
“Mama’s last and final cure,” he said.
Lisa’s brow furrowed slightly, just enough that he could tell she was displeased. No one else would detect the subtle change to her otherwise placid expression. She loved his mother and would never say anything to hurt her feelings. However, this whole ritual ordeal had worried and irritated her. He held out his arm and she tucked into him.
“Are you all right?” Ice-blue eyes peered up at him. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She wore only a hint of makeup on her fair skin and looked casual and comfortable in a pair of loose jeans and a red sweater. No one would know that she was the “it” girl of Hollywood if they didn’t know who she was. Her Midwestern sweetness remained, despite all the money and fame thrown her way over the last year.
He assured her he was fine and asked about her final wedding dress fitting. “Everything good?”
“Yes, the alterations were perfect.”
“And you still love the dress?” He’d learned since falling in love with Lisa that women sometimes changed their minds about their outfits. Usually just before it was time to leave for an event, the rejected items tossed onto the bed like discarded friends.
“Yes, I still love my dress. Not as much as I love you, of course, but a close second.”
“As long as I’m still in the lead,” he said before planting a kiss on her nose. “Let’s go upstairs and finish packing.”
They said goodbye to Mama and Ria, then climbedthe stairs to their apartment on the third floor. Rafael owned the building, a Victorian mansion he’d converted into six apartments. He and Lisa lived in one of the third-floor units, next door to Stone and Trey, his business partners in the construction and design company Wolf Enterprises. As they passed through the second floor, he heard the happy chattering of David’s small children coming from their apartment.
Lisa put her finger over her lips, to indicate they tread lightly. If Laine and Oliver heard their aunt Lisa on the stairs, they’d want her to come inside to play with them. David was Lisa’s twin and the newest resident of what the tenants had nicknamed the Victorian. He’d moved the children out from Iowa after he lost his wife. The timing was perfect for Wolf Enterprises. They’d needed an architect. He’d needed a job. David had been a rising star at this firm in Iowa, and from the plans he’d designed for them, it was easy to see why.
When they reached the third floor and he dug for his keys in the pocket of his jeans, Lisa filled him in on the fitting. Maggie and Pepper, her bridesmaids, had met her at the shop where her stylist had sent the dress for alterations. Maggie had her toddler, Lily, with her. The little one had spotted the tiara display and stared at it with such longing, the clerk had asked if she wanted to try one on. “Which she did, of course. Then she pranced around in front of the mirrors looking at herself for the entirety of the fitting.”
“Let me guess, Auntie Lisa got it for her?” Rafael asked.
“What was I supposed to do? You should have seen how pretty she looked with the sparkle against her strawberry-blond curls. Maggie was irked at me for spoiling her, but I told her I get the bride pass this week.”
“What about all the other weeks of the year?”
“I’m her auntie. Spoiling her is my job.”
“Maggie will have her revenge, you know,” Rafael said. “Once we have a baby.”
“Iamworried about that. But with my film schedule, we have a while before she’ll be able to get me back.”
“Unless I get you pregnant on our honeymoon.”
“You wouldn’t.” She laughed.
“I wouldn’t, but I want to.”
“I’ll finish the film in the spring and then we can decide,” Lisa said with a wistful sigh. “I can’t wait.”
His bride loved babies. Someday she would be a wonderful mother. God willing.
As Rafael put his key into their door, Pepper hurled out the door of Stone’s apartment as though a strong gust of wind had pushed her out to the landing.
“Hey, you two lovebirds.” Pepper pounced on them with her usual enthusiasm. Lisa’s best friend reminded him of a slight, very pretty black panther—fierce, fast, and disconcertedly clever.
“I was just headed to your place. You left your phone in my purse.” Pepper’s engagement ring sparked as she handed Lisa the phone. She sniffed and wrinkled her nose. “Have you guys been smoking pot?”
Lisa closed her eyes for a split second as a wave of agitation crossed her face. “No, Mama Soto was ridding him of the curse. This time with burning sage.”
“Again?” Pepper snorted.
