Tears are streaming down over Celso’s cheeks as he listens to me. He brushes them away with the back of his hand, but as soon as he wipes his face more stream down in their place.
He turns his back on the rest of the coffee shop, and I hate myself for telling him such emotional news in public. I didn’t think it through. Climbing out of my seat I stand in front of him and hug him. He buries his face against my T-shirt and lets his tears spill silently into my top.
The waitress quietly sets my coffee down on the table and hurries away without a word. Celso doesn’t notice her. His face is still against my stomach, his arms wrapped around my waist.
He stays that way for a long time. I can’t imagine what is going through his mind. Or maybe I can. Shock. Revelation. Horror. Hope.
Celso sighs and leans back, looking up at me, he reaches up and brushes his hand over my cheek. “That’s why you’re so pretty. Because you’ve got my amazing genetics.” He chuckles.
I pack up laughing. “Wow. That’s what you come up with.”
With the tension broken I sit back down in my seat and Celso takes a moment to wipe his face and pull himself together.
“I’m going to kill my father.” He growls.
“No. No, you can’t. You can’t, Celso. Please.”
“I have to call him.” He says, pulling his phone from his pocket. I snatch it from his hands and hide it under the table.
“Please, I’m begging you, don’t do this until after the wedding?—”
“You’re still going to marry that monster?” he snarls, confused. “After what he did to our mother.”
“Love is a crazy, strange, and dangerous thing, Celso. But listen to me. You have to wait until after the wedding before you let him know that I told you anything.”
“Give me one good reason,” He demands.
I lean back in my seat, smiling. “I have a good reason.” I nod.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Vincent
Misha arrives home looking happier, and it warms my heart. Our wedding is tomorrow, and I don’t want her to be thinking about her mother on our special day.
“Did you have fun, little raven?” I ask, pulling her into my arms as she walks through the door.
“It was an amazing day.” She smiles sweetly, snuggling into me. “I got everything done that I needed to do. I can’t believe it’s tomorrow.” She wiggles excitedly and I laugh at her. She’s so full of life and energy. She’s young, and beautiful and she makes me feel young.
She makes me so fucking happy.
“Did you eat?” I ask, raising my brows as I look down at her.
“No, we have so many leftovers here, so I thought we could just nibble on those. There is going to be so much food tomorrow - the caterers have gone overboard - so I wanted something light and easy for dinner.”
“Fair enough. I’ll warm some things up for us.” I pull her with me towards the kitchen, my arm wrapped around her lower waist.
“Your dress arrived about an hour ago. It’s hanging in the guest bedroom.”
“What?” She squeals. “Please - tell me you didn’t peak.” She says in horror.
“I didn’t. I promise you.” A low chuckle rumbles through me. “It’s bad luck for me to see the dress before the wedding.”
“I know. I was worried.” She gasps. “It’s also bad luck for me to stay with you the night before the wedding.”
“No. You can’t leave me.” I complain, reaching out towards her, forgetting about the food I was dishing up.
She giggles and runs her fingers playfully across my lips.
