He pulled her closer, resting his hand along the curve of her ass. He couldn’t think of a better start to the day. “Definitely.”
* * *
By eight thirty,Rafael was on the road back to Escondido. He’d only been driving for five minutes when Araceli called, wanting a status report on “Operation Gingerbread.” After filling her in and assuring her that, yes, he’d ask Victoria if she wanted to adopt a kitten, he reached his apartment. He changed quickly, texted Tony to make sure he was awake, then drove to the restaurant to meet up with the crew and load the catering truck.
When he pulled up to Blackwood Manor, he could barely contain his excitement. This was it. The big show. They’d busted their asses getting the food ready. Araceli had rounded up all the craft projects. And now he was here, with Tony, Araceli, Yesenia, and the rest of the staff. Ready to kick ass and put on the best damn wedding Tres Hermanos had ever catered.
Araceli had texted Victoria with their ETA as they entered the grounds. As a result, she was waiting outside the back entrance to the manor, looking classy as hell in a crimson cocktail dress and heels. But instead of wearing her hair up, she’d let it fall loose to her shoulders. Though Rafael had no doubt she was in professional mode, he liked the way she’d loosened up slightly. He was even more pleased when she greeted him with a kiss, in front of the entire crew.
He could get used to this.
She clutched her clipboard tightly against her chest. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a bundle of nerves.”
He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “This morning didn’t help?”
To his delight, her cheeks flushed scarlet. Still blushing, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. “This morning was glorious. But I can’t think about thatnow. I have to be on point, and I need everything to be flawless.”
Above them, the sky was a bright, clear blue, without a cloud to be seen. “Looks good so far. The weather’s perfect.”
“So far. But a freak earthquake could derail everything.”
“Don’t stress about it. We’re going to be an unbeatable team.”
“Thanks. I left the back entrance to the ballroom kitchen open so you can unload. In the meantime, I’ll have Araceli and Yesenia help me set out the craft projects.” She let out her breath. “I couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for everything.”
If he hadn’t been in love with her already, her words would have tipped the scale. Though they’d both messed up, they’d been given another chance. Better yet, they’d realized how much they meant to each other. Once the wedding was over, they could finally enjoy their time together like a real couple.
He helped the others bring everything into the kitchen, then asked his brother to get the crew started. Before he got to work, he wanted to check out the ballroom in its final state. Decked out in all their finery, the fir trees provided a breathtaking backdrop. They surrounded the tables, now draped in cream-colored linens and adorned with holiday-themed centerpieces.
The combination of silver, gold, and pine green, with a few pops of crimson and scarlet, gave the ballroom a Christmas ambiance that looked classy rather than tacky. By nightfall, the space would take on a magical glow, lit only by candles, tree lights, and thousands of twinkling white lights, crisscrossing the ceiling.
He wandered over to the head table, where Araceli had set up the biggest gingerbread house, complete with the intricately decorated gingerbread bridal party. On one side of the house, a trio of golden pillar candles stood nestled among an arrangement of evergreen boughs, holly berries, and pinecones. Rafael inhaled the scent of pine and let out a satisfied sigh.
“Ramón.”
Only one person had the gall to screw up his name so consistently. Rafael’s stomach clenched as he turned to face Ben. The guy wasn’t looking his best, all bloodshot eyes and messy stubble. Though he was wearing the traditional dress shirt and tuxedo pants of a groom, his loosened bow tie and missing jacket suggested he wasn’t ready to face the public yet.
Rafael forced himself to speak calmly. “Can I help you with something?”
Ben stepped closer and knocked down the gingerbread groom with this thumb and forefinger. A dismissive move, as though the very sight of his cookie doppelganger annoyed him. “You shouldn’t be here. The only reason I’m letting you anywhere near my wedding is because Missy begged me.”
Stay calm. Rafael gave Ben his falsest, most ass-kissing smile. “I appreciate you giving me a second chance. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I doubt it. But I didn’t have a choice.” He stepped closer, getting up in Rafael’s face. “You know, I don’t think you apologized for the way you acted on Wednesday night. I’d like to hear that apology.”
Rafael shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to contain the rage surging through him. Ben was just trying to bait him.
“Well?” Ben said. “I’m waiting.”
“Ben.” Victoria’s strained voice broke the tension between them. “Is there something you need? Or are you here to harass the caterer?”
Ben’s gaze raked over her body, lingering on her breasts. He turned to Rafael with a sneer. “You enjoying my sloppy seconds? She’s nothing but a cold—”
Victoria jabbed Ben’s chest with her finger. “So help me, if you call me a cold fish again, I will take one of those candles and shove it up your ass.”
Ben shrank back. “Don’t be so sensitive.”
She grabbed a candle and brandished it like a sword. “You want to knowwhyI was so cold around you? Because your tiny prick and your pathetic skills in bed never did it for me. Not once, you fucker.”
