“Thanks,” I said, taking a step to the side so she could be in the mirror too. “And you too.”
It was incredible how all the Fernandeses looked amazing; they all had come from a top-model-making tree or something. That was the only explanation. And Gabi was no exception. With her long, wavy dark hair, bright blue eyes, and fair skin, she had the face of a fierce angel. Like me, soon she would be twenty, and I found it hard that no guy had snatched her up yet.
She twirled and the skirt of her dress flared up. “Thanks. This dress is perfect.”
This was Hannah’s and Leo’s day, and as maid of honor, I had to make sure everything was perfect.
Just like Hannah.
Still smiling, I turned around and looked at my sister. She was in front of the other mirror, applying lip gloss on her lips for the hundredth time—her hands shook slightly.
“You’re gonna use up all that lip gloss today,” I joked.
She sighed and offered me a small, nervous smile. “I know!”
Gosh, if someday I got married, I hoped I looked half as great as she did. Her dress was also strapless, but a custom lace fabric covered the bodice, coming up to her neck. It was sleeveless, but she wore gloves from the middle of her hands to her elbows with the same lace fabric. And the skirt was made of ruffled lace and silk juxtaposed, all with tiny, fake diamonds, forming a rain pattern that got heavier at the bottom. Her hair was pulled up in an intricate bun with several specifically placed loose strands here and there, and a real diamond tiara—a gift from our parents.
She looked every bit like a princess. A real princess living her fairy tale. Her happily ever after.
Hannah smiled at me. “What?”
“You … you look amazing.”
Her smile widened. “Half of this—” She gestured to herself. “—is all your doing. Thanks, by the way, for the most gorgeous wedding dress I have ever seen.”
I shrugged, a little embarrassed and a lot proud of the compliment.
A few seconds later, my mother entered the bedroom. “Charles just told me the boys are all ready and waiting for us. They want to know if you’re ready too.”
We all looked around. Everyone seemed ready.
“We’re ready,” Hannah said.
“All right,” my mother said. “I’ll tell Leo that he can go, then.”
Hannah smiled faded. “Oh my God,” she whispered.
My mother grabbed her hand, worried. “What?”
“It’s happening,” Hannah muttered. “Oh my God, it’s really happening.”
We all laughed.
“Yes, it is.” My mother squeezed her hand. “And it’s going to be perfect. See you out there.” She kissed my sister on the cheek and, after smiling at the rest of us, she walked out the bedroom.
I stepped into my mother’s place and took Hannah’s hand. “Come on.”
As a group, the girls and I went down the stairs—everyone was forbidden to enter the house for now. The only ones allowed were my parents, Leo’s parents, the guys, and us. Even so, my parents and Leo’s parents were being watchful so Leo and Hannah wouldn’t cross paths before the actual wedding.
Hannah stayed behind with my father in the living room, while the rest of us went to meet the guys in the solarium, from where we all would exit to the backyard, where the guests were waiting.
The guys wolf whistled when we entered and the couples reunited. No way to avoid him now. Not that I wanted to.
I sighed. I had seen him before in a tuxedo—it had been an unfinished one, but still it looked pretty good. Now he looked way better. It was easy to see he had gotten a haircut—though not too short—and he had applied a little gel or mousse, though I guess only I could tell the difference from his usual super messy style to this on-purpose messy style, since I was probably the only one who had paid that much attention to his hair.
And the tux … it was sin on him.
“You look beautiful,” Gui said, approaching me. He was serious, his eyes intent, shining with too many unsaid words. “You are beautiful.”
My cheeks warmed. “Thanks. You don’t look too bad either.”
“I guess I can blame the designer.” One corner of his lips tugged up. “She’s a pretty great fashion designer, you know.”
I shook my head, but I couldn’t help the small grin that popped onto my lips.
His eyes … his impossibly blue eyes were killing me. I could read so much in them—his worry, his concern, his caring. But was it enough? Was it as much as I wanted it to be? If it weren’t, then I would make a fool of myself.
My mother and father entered the solarium, followed by João Pedro. Because of their Brazilian background, we tried to mix the ceremony, make it as Brazilian and American as we could. For that, Leo was already outside with his mother, Agnes, waiting for my mother’s signal.
“Everyone ready?” my mother asked. We all nodded. “Okay, then. See you all outside.”
She and João Pedro exited to the backyard. My mother signaled the musicians, and they started playing a song Leo and Hannah had selected. Leo and his mother walked through the arch on the white wall erected between the house and the backyard. Then my mother went with his father.
Then it was time for us.
Gui offered me his arm. “Ready?”
I smiled and took his arm.
Together, we walked down the aisle followed by Ri and Lauren, Pedro and Iris, Bia and Garrett, and Gabi and Vinícius, a seventeen-year-old cousin of Leo’s from his mother’s side. After we all took our places at the altar, we waited. Five nerve-wrecking minutes until the musicians started playing the nuptial march.
Like a princess, Hannah emerged from the arch with our father.
There were exclamations all around, but I was paying attention to Leo. His entire face brightened; his smile was the widest and purest I had ever seen. Happiness filled my core. Happiness for my sister.
The wedding proceeded as planned.
After Hannah and Leo were married, the guests were guided deeper into our backyard where the tables, chairs, and buffet tables had been set around a large wooden dance floor and stage, all under fancy gazebos.
We made toasts, a few of us said a few words—me, Gui, Bia, João Pedro, Megan—we ate the food, and the real party began. My mother had bought enough food and drinks and paid waitresses and the band well enough to last all night long. We wouldn’t leave this shindig before it was morning again.
Hannah and Leo had opened the dance floor with a waltz. Our parents followed them, and then the other couples of the family joined them. Gabi, Gui, and I were the only ones left. Finally, Gui’s mother—whom I finally got to meet—insisted Gui took Gabi dancing. And I stayed behind alone.
I sat at our table, happy for Hannah and Leo and my family, but suddenly feeling alone at this amazing party. Which was ridiculous. I shouldn't feel lonely just because I didn’t have a partner to dance with.
In fact, I wouldn’t allow myself to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or lonely. No. I was done with all that. It didn’t matter if I had anyone to dance with. I could mingle and talk to my mother’s friends, to Hannah’s friends. I bet they all would be happy to say hi to me, to learn more about the details of the party and the dresses. I had been getting questions about the dresses and tuxes all evening.
As for my plan, it wasn’t going as I had imagined, but there was still time. The night was young.
I stood and walked three steps before halting again.
“You look stunning,” Reese said, standing in my way.
“Thanks,” I said.
He looked around. “This all looks great. The food was delicious too. I heard you did all this?”
“Not alone.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
He looked to his feet, and then turned worried eyes at me. “I heard what happened last weekend. I’m sorry about that. How are you feeling?”
This was the worst part of it all. Of course, most people he
re had heard about what happened last weekend. How could I have forgotten that? So all these people weren’t staring at me because I looked pretty, or because they were impressed with my designs or the party organization. They were staring at me because, in their minds, I was even more damaged than before.
I wouldn’t let that stop me from having a good time. Yes, I had gone through some bad patches, through some terribly damaging events, and I had survived. I had made it. And even though these events hurt me, I had grown from them, and I was proud of that.
I smiled. “I’m fine, actually.”
Reese leaned closer. “Is it true you beat up a three-hundred-pound man?”
The rumors … people already had made Mike bigger than he was. “Yes, I did.”
“That’s …” He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, but I’m glad you were able to defend yourself and your friend. Good for you!”
I knew he meant every word and that made me hopeful that other people would see it that way too. “Thanks.”
“So, hm …” Reese ran his hand through his hair. “I was wondering if—”
“Excuse me,” Gui said, appearing out of nowhere and stepping between Reese and me. He stared at me with such intensity, my knees wobbled.
“Hey!” Reese protested, coming to stand beside Gui.
Ignoring him, Gui extended one hand to me. “Dance with me.”
I didn’t think twice. I simply slid my hand into his and let him guide me to the dance floor. As I walked by Reese, I mouthed, “I’m sorry.” I was sorry for leaving him hanging like that when I knew he was about to ask me to dance too. But I wasn’t sorry Gui had asked first.
In the middle of the dance floor, Gui stopped and turned to me. He placed his hands on my waist and pulled me close, all the while looking straight through me. I didn’t break the stare as I slid my hands up his arms and rested them on his shoulders.
The song was a slow, romantic ballad. And suddenly my plan was back on track—though with a few modifications.
“I know I said it before, but you are especially beautiful today.” His voice was low and careful, a gentle caress to my ego.
“Thank you.” I tilted my head to the side, and suppressed a smile. “So … why didn’t you let Reese ask me to dance?”
“Oh. I’m busted. Damn,” he joked, a small grin illuminating his handsome face. “I wasn’t sure if he had already asked or not. Once I saw him talking to you, I don’t know. Something hit me hard. Right here.” He briefly let go of my waist to tap his chest, right above his heart. My breath caught. “I just knew I couldn’t let you dance with him, and I knew it was just a matter of time until he asked, and you wouldn’t say no, because you’re polite like that.”
“I hope Gabi wasn’t mad about being dumped on the dance floor.”
He chuckled. “Nah, she was glad to be rid of me. I know she wants to go around the party and see if she can find a guy to flirt with.”
“She’s not like that!”
“I know. I’m just kidding.” He frowned. “But you know, sometimes I wonder if she would look for a guy, an American guy, and get hitched just so she would have an excuse to stay here.”
“She wouldn’t do that.”
“Wouldn’t she? She wants to come live here so badly.”
“I know, but she wouldn’t go so low as to get married to any guy just to stay here. I know that if it’s really meant to be, she’ll find another way to make that happen.”
Gui raised an eyebrow. “Are you talking about Gabi right now?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
His expression grew serious again, and his stare turned concerned. He lifted one hand and caressed the cheek where I had a fading bruise hidden under pounds of makeup. “I’m sorry you had to go through something like that again.” His fingertips lingered on my face for three more seconds, and then he set his hand back on my waist. “But I’m very proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me too,” I whispered.
The song changed from one corny romantic ballad to another, and the tension grew thick between us. I was barely aware of other couples dancing around us, because in my world, there was only Gui and me. Now, if only I could make sure he still felt that way too.
All of a sudden, he exhaled and let out, “Okay, I wasn’t able to tell you all I wanted to last Sunday. I need to tell you. I was out of my mind when Leo called me. I was so pissed that, of all days, I decided to go to Fresno that particular day. I wanted to get to you as fast as I could. I never wished for a teleportation device as much as I did while I was driving back here. I wanted to be by your side. I wanted to make sure you were okay, see you with my own eyes, because only hearing Leo tell me on the phone what was going on was killing me. Actually, I wanted to have a time travel machine, so I would be with you when you went to your friend’s house and I would have kicked that bastard’s ass to the moon and back.” He raised his hand to my face again, and placed two fingers on the hidden bruise. “I would kill him for laying a hand on you. I’m so sorry for not being there for you.”
I placed my hand over his. “Don’t apologize. There was nothing you could do. And, unfortunately, I’m convinced that was something I had to go through. By myself. Alone. I had to face him because if I didn’t, I would never know what I was capable of, how strong I am, and how I can take care of myself if the need ever arises.”
“I hope the need never arises again.” He sighed. “If only you gave me a chance, I would take good care of you.”
That was all I needed to hear.
With a smile, I knotted my arms around his neck, tried to stand on tiptoes—hard with four-inch heels—and raised my face, angling it just right.
“Are you sure about that?” I asked, holding my breath.
“I was never this sure about anything else in my entire life.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Even polo?”
He chuckled. “Even polo.”
I was okay with that. Screw a grand gesture; besides, this was Hannah’s big day. I would already steal her spotlight enough with a little gesture. Still smiling, I tugged on his neck, so he would know exactly what I wanted.
His eyes widened for a millisecond, and then he leaned down and met me halfway. His lips claimed mine, first slow and soft, as if he was afraid of scaring me away. But I wasn’t scared anymore. I parted my lips and increased the intensity of the kiss, showing him exactly what I wanted. Who I wanted. His arms wound around my waist, and he pulled my body flush with his. A sigh escaped my throat as my delicate figure molded to his hard frame.
Someone cleared his throat beside us.
We broke the kiss, but we didn’t spring apart, as we looked to the source of the noise. It was Leo, watching us with a big smile. Hannah was with him, of course, and she winked at us.
“Not fair,” she said, her tone teasing. “It’s my big day, but everyone will be talking about you two from now on.”
I let myself look around. Sure enough, everyone was watching us. Everyone. My parents had wide eyes, Gabi jumped up and down as if her day had been made, Bia shook her head with a wicked smiled, Pedro and Ri gave us the thumbs up, and Reese stared at us with disappointment. And Gui’s parents … well, I wasn’t sure what the expression on their faces meant, but I hoped it meant they were willing to meet me.
My cheeks extremely hot, I hid my face in Gui’s chest. He chuckled and kissed the top of my head. His arms tightened around me.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re okay, Hil. You’re fine now.”
His words rang true. I used to answer with I’ll be fine. For the first time in so long, I felt strong enough to answer, “I am fine,” and that brought me an amount of pleasure and pride that I couldn’t even begin to describe.
I stopped hiding in Gui’s chest—even though he had a nice chest and I wanted to hide there every day—and raised my head high. I was proud of me, I was proud of Gui, and I was most certainly proud of us.
I stare
d him in the eye and smiled. “I really am fine.” Once more, I wound my arms around his neck, and with a grin, he leaned down and kissed me again.
And this time when our family and friends cheered, we didn’t stop.
Chapter Thirty-Two
After spending the Sunday tucked in with Gui at my apartment—but he went back to his own apartment for the night—Gui took me to Los Angeles the next morning. I was a bundle of nerves on the passenger side of his Jeep, alternating between chewing my nails, chewing my bottom lip, or wringing the skirt of my dress.
Gui reached over and rested his right hand over mine, stilling my compulsive movements. “It’ll be all right, Hil. You got this.”
Did I?
I hadn’t touched this project in so long and had to scurry to finish it this past couple of days—and yesterday, when Gui insisted on seeing the project, I didn’t let him. All the time, my laptop had been turned away from him while I put my presentation together.
Now we were here, with three of my design professors, plus the professor that got me this chance and two T.A.s, all in the first row of the auditorium-like classroom. Gui had stayed in the back, so he wouldn’t disrupt the presentation, and my focus, in any way.
I stood in front of them all, with the big, white screen at my back.
I started the PowerPoint and the first thing that popped on the screen was a video from YouTube—a video showing a group dancing one of the dances from Gui’s state in Brazil.
I tried not to, but I couldn’t help myself. I glanced at him and saw the surprise stamped on his face.
Then I launched into my rehearsed text, telling the professors about Rio Grande do Sul and the many dances only performed there. I told them about my brother-in-law’s family, that they had been living here for over three years now and that I learned a lot of things about their culture. I showed them pictures of the different food and the different drinks, I played a few seconds of different songs, and I showed them a second video of the dancing.
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