Page 72 of Check Mate

He claps his hands together. “Magnifico! Congratulations.”

“Get this,” Isa says to me. “This is Anthony’s father. Anthony from Peru.”

“You’re kidding.” My voice sounds as bewildered as I feel. “What a small world.”

“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Vergara agrees.

“Anthony and Hannah were at the celebration gala. I could hardly believe it.”

I chuckle. “I bet. What are the chances.”

A woman with long, dark hair appears in the lobby and looks around as if looking for someone. When she spots Mr. Vergara, her demeanor softens and she walks toward us.

Mr. Vergara hears the sound of her heels clacking against the marble and turns to look over his shoulder. “Amore! Come meet Isabella’s fiancé, David. This is my wife, Dominique.”

He places a hand on her back and she leans forward to kiss both of my cheeks. She smells of expensive perfume, but it’s not unpleasant.

“They just got engaged last night,” He tells her.

“How wonderful!” she says in an equally charming accent to that of her husband. “When’s the wedding?”

Mr. Vergara’s head drops back as he laughs loudly, filling the lobby with his deep baritone laughter. “Darling, they just got engaged.” He looks at me and cups a hand over his mouth like he’s telling me a secret. “Women, always in a rush.”

I chuckle and his wife gives him an annoyed look. “Actually, we’d like to get married tomorrow.”

Both of their eyebrows shoot up to their hairlines.

Isa giggles next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder. “Why wait? When you know, you know, right?”

Dominique sighs dreamily. She looks up at her husband and a conspiratorial glance passes between them.

“You should get married here, on the terrace!” She suggests. “I know a priest in town that could perform the marriage. And a dress shop.” Her voice raises as she speaks, like she can’t contain her excitement. “Oh, please let me help you!”

“Of course! I need all the help I can get,” Isa tells her.

“The photographer we used for the gala is still in town I believe. Shall I contact him and see if he’s available tomorrow?” Mr. Vergara asks.

I huff out a laugh. “Wow, thank goodness we ran into you two. We had no idea what we were doing.”

Dominique pulls out her phone and types away on it with her long, pointy fingernails. “Alright, I’ve started a list. I’ll take Isabella to the dress shop and you two track down the photographer?” She briefly looks up from her phone to give her husband a pointed glance.

“Got it,” He reassures her.

She finishes her typing and walks to Isa’s side and loops an arm through hers. “Let’s go mon chéri. We have a dress to find.”

Dominique walks quickly, a woman on a mission. Isa glances back at me, looking half terrified of what she’s gotten herself into. I smile and shrug one shoulder.

“I’ll have my secretary call the photographer. What else do we need?” Mr. Vergara taps his chin.

“I’ll probably need one of those Italian suits,” I tell him, eyeing his suit and shoes.

“Ah, an eye for a good suit. A man after my own heart.” He slaps me on the back. “I’ll take care of it. Follow me.”

The sun has gone down by the time Isa and I reunite after spending the day prepping for the wedding. I meet Isa at a restaurant Mr. Vergara, who insisted I call him Dante, recommended.

The Vergaras pulled a million strings for us today… but I’m most excited about my custom Italian suit and loafers, which will be delivered tomorrow. Although I’d marry Isa in anything, or nothing, whatever she wanted.

Our families are flying across the world as we speak, having no idea they’ll be attending our wedding tomorrow and not an engagement party.