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Marissa had insisted on a small, intimate ceremony, so they said their vows in front of a wooden arch adorned with wildflowers while family and close friends looked on. Her brother, John, flew in, but his wife and daughters stayed at home.
Bruno chose Ignacio to stand beside him since he was the one who sent him to Executive Match. Marissa’s best friend, Lark, was her maid of honor.
Wearing a navy blue suit, Bruno drank champagne and surveyed the guests mingling and sipping refreshing drinks under the white tent in the backyard. Theo and Audra’s little ones raced in and out, giggling and laughing with the sound of soft music playing in the background.
His eyes landed on Marissa, absolutely exquisite in a simple satin dress as she chatted with Skye and Audra. She hadn’t chosen a high-end designer but had known exactly the dress she wanted. The mermaid design was off the shoulder and backless and showed off her curves. Her hair was pulled back from her face with floral clips, and she’d added additional hair to give length and volume to the curls that cascaded to the middle of her back.
Damn, he was lucky.
Bruno headed in that direction, but before he could approach her, Monica stepped in front of him.
“Hey.”
“Hey. What’s going on?” Bruno asked.
Monica pulled him to the side. “Do Mommy and Papa Ben seem different to you?” she whispered.
“Different? How?”
“I don’t know, just different. Closer, maybe?”
Bruno followed his sister’s line of sight to where their parents were chatting near an empty table. He’d been preoccupied all day, but now that he paid closer attention, he understood what Monica meant. Their parents almost seemed to be… flirting.
“Huh.” He stroked his chin.
“You see what I mean, right?” Monica whispered.
“Yes, I do.”
“I said something to Audra, but she didn’t agree. She said they’ve always been close since the divorce.”
“She’s right, but there is something a little different,” Bruno said slowly.
Their parents walked away from each other and went in separate directions.
“What do you think their behavior means?” Bruno asked.
Monica shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe it’s nothing. I noticed the difference last time Papa Ben came to the house to visit. He was giving off a different energy, and at first I thought it was my imagination. I’m at Andre’s a lot and don’t see them together much anymore, but then today…” She shook her head.
“Could be nothing,” Bruno said, eyes locked on their father, who walked over to Ethan and started talking.
“Yeah.” Monica sighed. “You know what, never mind. It’s probably wishful thinking on my part because I want them back together.”
“We all do, but they’ll do it in their own time—if getting back together is right for them,” Bruno said.
Monica pursed her lips. “I guess.”
Marissa came over, and he slipped an arm around her waist.
“Hello, Mrs. Santana.” He kissed her cheek. The floral bouquet of her perfume filled his nostrils and made his body stir.
“Hello, Mr. Santana,” she greeted him back.
“Oh boy, how long will we have to put up with this?” Monica asked.
“Why don’t you go find your fiancé and finalize your own wedding, hm?” Bruno said.
“Touché.” Before she left, Monica pulled Marissa into a quick hug. “If I haven’t mentioned it before, welcome to the family. And now I have a new nephew.” She did a little shimmy.
