The tenderness in his voice catches me off guard. For someone who usually keeps his emotions locked down, I’m not prepared to see this side of him.
Brendan is…asoftie?
Isabella pats her son’s cheek before looping an arm around my waist and steering me toward the entrance. “Come meet the other Marco women. They’re going to absolutely adore you.”
I look over my shoulder at Brendan and mouthhelp!
He shoots me a look that saysgood luckbefore I’m steered away.
The shop’s sitting area has a massive crystal chandelier that shimmers above a decorative fountain. The click of heels draws my attention to a grandmotherly matriarch in black glasses, leaning on a cane.
“This is Rosa Marco,” Isabella says. “Brendan’s grandmother.”
I put my hand out. “So nice to meet you, Mrs. Marco.”
I’ve seen Rosa Marco before, but only from afar, since she doesn’t get out much. Her silver hair is pulled back into a bun, and instead of shaking my hand, she leans in for a double-cheek kiss while adjusting a cashmere wrap over her shoulders.
“I’m so glad you could step in at the last minute,” she says with a gentle smile, her diamond earrings catching the light. “This means everything to Carmen and Tony.”
“I’m happy to help,” I say with a smile.
Which might be stretching the truth. I’ve spent the week tossing and turning, worried about pulling this wedding off. But refusing wasn’t really an option. Too many people would question why I wouldn’t want to be part of a Marco wedding. And I need this vendor contract too much.
“Is she here?” A woman with a salt-and-pepper bob rounds the corner.
This must be Brendan’s aunt.
“Elana, this is Brendan’s girlfriend, Scarlett,” Isabella says, before turning back to me. “Elana is Rafael’s sister and my sister-in-law.”
Elana’s mouth drops as she approaches me. “You’re even more beautiful than in the photos I saw!”
“Photos?” I ask curiously.
Isabella waves her hand in the air. “Just a few that Brendan showed us.”
Brendan has photos of me.Not couple photos, not staged shots for the fake relationship—just photos of me that he’s been carrying around and showing his mother and aunt.
I can’t think too hard about what it means.Ifit means anything.
Mental note: take some believable couple selfies immediately, in case anyone asks to see them.
“Although why Brendan hasn’t brought you to visit me in Florida, I’ll never understand,” Elana continues, squeezing my armaffectionately.
Carmen appears in the doorway next, the picture of a radiant bride-to-be. Her long, brown curls cascade nearly to her waist, and her heart-shaped face with high cheekbones mirrors Brendan’s bone structure.
“Scarlett! Thank you so much for saving my entire wedding,” she says, immediately wrapping me in a hug. When she pulls back, she holds my hands. “I’m so happy for you two. We’ve been worried Brendan might never find his person. You’re literally an answer to our prayer, Scarlett.”
Answer to prayer.Me. The girl who’s lying to his entire family, who’s only here because her cafe is in dire need of help. Guilt twists hot and sharp in my stomach.
“Oh,” I squeak out as I glance at Brendan. “I really don’t deserve?—”
“Yes, you do!” Carmen squeezes my hands tighter. “Do you know how many women have tried and failed to get past his walls? But you…” She shakes her head, looking like a proud big sister. “You’re special.”
The guilt spreads through my chest, making me slightly ill.
I’m not special.And worst of all, this is the girl who almost died the night I kissed Brendan. The fact that she survived the accident and is looking at me like I’m doinghera favor, makes me feel like a total fraud.
“Carmen,” Brendan interrupts, giving his sister a look. He steps closer, and when his hand finds my lower back, the warmth of it cuts through my spiral. “We both know I’m the lucky one.”