Page 53 of Bind Me
TITA TESS: Yes Ma’am Bea. What’s up?
BEA: Delivery incoming. It’s large and judgmental.
TITA TESS: Is it a portrait? Because we specifically said no portraits.
A low rumble rolled down the street.
The truck that pulled up was matte black and almost tall enough to block the sun.
“That’s not a ‘truck.’” She glanced askance at Cassian as two enormous, tattooed men alighted. “Exactly what kind of business are you in?”
Cassian shrugged. “This and that.”
The painted Bea and Rafael watched in silence as they were lifted like royals being relocated.
Chapter Fourteen
“Nuna Bea!” Han came barreling across the room in a dress shirt one size too big, the hem flapping above his knees. “I did my own tie!”
“It’s the fanciest I’ve ever seen,” Bea praised, crouching to inspect the blue satin clip-on her cousin had jammed under his collar with six-year-old confidence.
“I look like I’m the boss,” he declared. “I’ve been practicing walking in a straight line, too.”
“With the tie and the walk, you might be the best of all our page boys,” she whispered.
He puffed up proudly, then took off again at full speed to impress his next audience.
The hotel bar was low-lit, gold-glassed, just the right side of swanky. They’d corded off the back half and ordered catering so her arriving family and friends had a place to mingle before settling in for the night. Bea had been warned the hotel security team had tightened the guest list twice that afternoon. Apparently a “travel blogger” and someone claiming to be a florist had both tried to wander into the welcome event. The hotel manager had assured her it was handled. Still, she’d noticed the extra staff at the entrance.
“Bea!” Maya said, sweeping her into a hug. Her friend from the University of Toronto pulled back and eyed Bea’s high-necked, scarlet-lace mini dress. “You look unreal.”
“Thank you.” Bea smiled. Red always made her feel confident. “I’m so glad you guys could come.”
“Of course. We would’ve come even without the free flights,” Logan said, holding onto Maya’s hand. “Business was something else.”
Claire had her arms around Felicity and Hannah, whose lockers had been beside theirs, and who had therefore been roped into the majority of their high-school adventures.
“Your fiancé is generous.” Felicity gestured around at the opulent setup.
“And he keeps checking you out,” Hannah added, eyes bright.
“And he’s not even trying to be subtle about it,” Claire cackled.
Bea laughed and searched for Rafael. Found him with her uncles at the bar, swapping stories. He wore a white shirt that hinted at every good thing underneath, elbows braced casually on the counter, completely at ease with a beer in his hand. A faint flush touched his cheekbones, and dark stubble shadowed his jaw, rough enough to catch the light.
In less than two days, she’d be his wife. The thought landed low in her body. She wanted it sealed. Locked in. It surprised her how fiercely, and yet it didn’t, considering she was painfully, distractingly deprived of him. They’d been counting weeks. Now it was hours.
His green eyes lifted. Found her instantly, as if he’d been aware of her across the room the entire time. He excused himself with a hand to her uncles’ shoulders, and then he was moving toward her with that quiet, stalking confidence that made herpulse spike. Rafael didn’t drift through rooms. He hunted what he wanted.
“I’ll be back in a sec, guys,” Bea said, like she’d been summoned. There were men who were attractive. And then there were men who lit up your amygdala in ways that made you forget your feminism. Her man was the latter.
Claire clocked the reason for her haste. “Beya Slaya. You’re marrying him in less than forty-eight hours.Play it cool.”
Bea ignored her.
They were, regrettably, intercepted.
Elias tapped Rafael’s upper arm. “Dae jang nim, any chance you need more groomsmen? Because I clean up extremely well.”
