Chapter 260: Happy For You
- RAYA -
When I come out of the shower, full of giddy excitement about the day ahead, Rory is tossing and turning in bed. We’re having a morning ceremony, but it’s still early enough that I didn’t want to wake her yet. Now I rush over and grab hold of her arms.
Why didn’t we think about the fact that she might have another nightmare? At least this one isn’t as bad as they used to be, because she’s only whimpering. It’s not the screaming I became used to when she was staying in the room next to Dex and I.
"Rory, wake up."
I shake her gently, hoping not to startle her too much. But it’s not enough to pull her out of whatever horror she might be encountering at the moment.
"Rory!" I yell. Her eyes fly open, and she sits up panting with the sheet clutched against her chest. "Are you okay? You were having a nightmare."
"I was?"
"Yeah. It seemed like it."
She looks around at the room like she doesn’t remember where she is.
"We’re in Costa Rica," I tell her. "Remember?"
"Yeah. That’s right," she whispers as her panting slows. Then she surprises me by starting to laugh and hiding her face in her hands. "Oh my god," she groans and slides off the bed.
"What?"
I watch her as she goes, but she doesn’t answer—only glances at me with an embarrassed smile before disappearing into the bathroom with her phone.
"It’s my wedding day today!" I call after her, shaking my head with a soft chuckle.
"I know! I’m so excited," she calls back through the door and then cracks it open. "I have to run and grab my dress after the shower. What’s the plan? Are we eating beforehand?"
"I don’t think I can. I’m nervous." I bite my lip, but it gets tugged out into a smile.
"You need to eat something so you don’t faint by the time it’s over. Even if it’s just fruit. I’m going to take a quick shower."
Then she closes the bathroom door again, and I hear the water start running. I’m pulling the garment bag of my dress out of the closet when someone knocks on the glass door in the other room. When I walk out, Dex and Luciano are on the other side.
"Good morning, angel," Dex says, kissing me as soon as he’s through the door.
We’ve already been texting this morning. He wanted to make sure I was feeling okay after passing out so early last night. I guess the wine hit me harder than I expected, but thankfully there’s no headache this morning. Top shelf wine, I guess.
"It’s a beautiful day," he says, glancing back outside. "What do you think? Are you ready for this?"
"Yes," I sigh excitedly.
"I came to get my clothes so you and Rory can get ready together."
"And we brought room service," Luciano says, waving in Sonny who is carrying a tray of food. Then Luciano’s attention is drawn to the bedroom door. "Is Rory awake? I have her things."
"Yeah, she just got in the shower."
"I’ll run in and grab my things then," Dex says, heading for the bedroom.
Luciano watches him go. "Did you sleep okay?" He asks me, making small talk.
"Yep. It was fine." Then I think about Rory’s nightmare this morning. "Did you?"
The question makes him smile, and he casts his gaze outside. "Surprisingly, yes," he chuckles and rubs the back of his neck.
The reaction prickles my curiosity, but Dex walks in before I can think more of it.
"Eat something," Dex says, leaning down to kiss me again. "If you need more time to get ready, just let me know. There’s no rush."
"Do I get to know where it’s happening yet?" I clasp my hands together hopefully.
"Patience, principessa," he says, pinching my chin. "It’s not far. A tuk tuk is going to take you, Rory, and two guards. We’ll be there waiting."
Luciano makes a disgruntled noise, and we both look at him standing with his arms crossed, a muscle ticking in his jaw. But he doesn’t say anything.
He’s so protective of Rory, and I’m glad. I’m so glad. It makes this day even happier—knowing that Rory and Luciano have each other, too. I don’t know where the future is headed for them, but given the dramatic transformation in my sister this week and the fact that they’re sharing dreams, too, I have a feeling it won’t be long until the roles are reversed and we’re attending their wedding.
"I’m principessa again?" I ask Dex, drawing his attention away from his cousin.
Dex hasn’t used that nickname for me in awhile, not since I explained why it bothered me. I actually miss it. It reminds me of the early days staying in the guest house when feelings were still unspoken between us.
"Today you most definitely are my principessa," he smiles and kisses my hand. "So let me know if you need anything, okay? Otherwise I will see you when you’re walking down the aisle, Mrs. Mobius."
The way his voice deepens when he says that last part makes my stomach flip. This is really happening.
I don’t miss the little clue that he’s dropped either. "The aisle?"
Dex smiles, revealing the dimple that’s always partially obscured by his beard. Then he winks, leaving me in suspense and looking sexy as hell doing it.
"Ugh. Fine," I say with an exaggerated groan. "Keep your secrets."
"It will be worth it. Trust me."
"I do," I sigh and walk behind them to the door.
Dex lingers to kiss me some more, reluctant to leave. Once he and Luciano are gone, I make sure to secure all the locks.
Rory and I spend the next hour getting ready. She helps me with hair and makeup, and I’m so grateful. I’m way too nervous to be responsible for that without messing it up.
"You look nice," I tell her, trying to distract myself from the slight tremble that has taken over every inch of my body while she finishes my makeup. She’s wearing a v-neck emerald green slip dress that makes her look effortlessly beautiful as always.
Rory smiles. "Take a few deep breaths, Ray. Everything is going to be perfect. You have nothing to worry about."
"I know." But I take the deep breaths like she said anyway. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Did you share a dream with Luciano again?"
"What?" She chuckles, but her cheeks instantly flush with color.
"That’s what I thought," I smirk. Obviously it wasn’t a nightmare or she would have been telling me all about it just like she did with the others.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," she insists, but her expression says otherwise.
"If it makes you feel any better, a nurse woke me up from a dream with Dex because my heart rate had spiked. She probably thought I was dying or something. The heart monitor was going crazy."
Rory bursts into laughter. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, very. Thankfully she assumed it was a nightmare about the car accident."
We both laugh. But Rory doesn’t answer me about the dream, and I respect her for that. What her and Luciano shared was obviously deeply meaningful if it’s not something she wants to reveal.
"He was disappointed to miss you this morning," I tell her.
Rory smiles thoughtfully. She’s so much calmer now. And peaceful.
"I’m happy for you, Rory."
"I’m happy for you, too, Raya." She stands back to observe me with an adoring smile. "And now I think we’re ready for the dress."
