THEY’D PASSED THE TEST.
Stasia smiled. Not that she ever had any doubt about their compatibility. Still, not everyone passed the wedding test issued by Infinity Island. They were meant to be.
She stood in what used to be Popi’s bungalow. But now that she had married the love of her life, Apollo, and moved to the Drakos estate, where she had started her own wedding business, this bungalow had been designated the bridal suite. It was where the brides came and stayed until the big day.
Stasia had been here for a week. Not only did she want to take part in the wedding preparations, but she also wanted to spend some time with her family before Roberto swept her off on a monthlong honeymoon in Alaska, of all places. He said they had sun and sand whenever they wanted, but snowy peaks and cozy fires were for snuggling. She had a distinct impression that they’d be doing a lot more than snuggling in the luxury cabin that he’d reserved for them.
Roberto had been tying things up at the office all week and she couldn’t wait to see him. Now that he had taken over the family business, he had been working long hours to undo the damage the former accounts manager had done. The authorities had arrested the man and were still working on tracking down the funds that had been meticulously siphoned from the company.
But in the end, Roberto’s grandfather was able to retire in peace. He knew the company was in good hands. And with the safeguards Roberto had implemented since taking the reins, the likelihood of anything like this ever happening again had been greatly reduced.
And Roberto’s grandfather was so thrilled that they were tying the knot that he had agreed to step back in and run the company while Roberto enjoyed a nice long honeymoon. Stasia was thrilled to see the two men drawn back together.
Roberto’s parents, on the other hand, were coming to the wedding, separately. Though some things changed, others stayed the same. At least Roberto had accepted that marriage and love didn’t have to be as complicated as his parents’ relationship with each other and with him.
Knock. Knock.
“Stasia, are you in there?”
Her heart leaped with joy. It was Roberto, at last.
She rushed to the door and swung it wide open. “You arrived just in time.”
“What? Did you think I’d be late for my own wedding?”
The thought had crossed her mind. She knew how wrapped up he could get when he was working, but she also knew he could be just as devoted to his family. And that was something she loved about him, his passion for the things that mattered most to him.
“You did?” He glanced at her with an astonished look on his face. “You really thought I’d forget our big day?”
“No, of course not.” When he arched a disbelieving brow, she said, “But I know how distracted you can get in your work.”
“Not enough to forget you.” He leaned forward and kissed her. Not a brief peck, but a long deep thorough kiss to prove to her just how much she mattered to him.
When he finally pulled away, her heart was hammering in her chest. And the news she had to share with him had somehow escaped her.
Not wanting to stay inside on such a beautiful day, she said, “Let’s take a walk.”
Hand in hand, they made their way to the beach. This was where their wedding was to take place. White chairs were already set up on either side of the sandy aisle that would be lined with white rose petals just before the service began.
And at the end of the aisle stood an arch draped in white tulle. It would have small blue flowers alongside white roses adorning the arch. Both Lea and Popi had come together once more to make this a very special wedding. And they had outdone themselves. It was everything Stasia had been hoping for and more.
“Do you think we should be here?” Roberto asked.
“Why not? After all, it is our wedding.”
And wait until he saw the strapless dress she’d chosen for the big day. Her hair would be pulled back in a loose braid with small flowers inserted. On her feet would be sandals with beaded lace over the tops of her feet.
Roberto smiled at her. “Does this mean you’ll stop worrying now?” When she nodded, he said, “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere. And in just a couple of hours we’re going to be husband and wife.” He studied her face for a moment. “You still have something on your mind. What can I say to convince you that absolutely nothing is going to go wrong today?”
“I’m not worried. Honest.”
“There is something on your mind—I can see it in your eyes.”
And then it came back to her, the big news she had to share with him. She just hoped that he was as excited about it as she was.
“I have some stuff to discuss with you and I didn’t want to do it over the phone.”
His dark brows drew together in a worried line as he reached out and took her hands in his. “What is it?”
“First, the paperwork for the foundation has come through. We’re all approved and everyone I invited to be on the board has accepted.”
Relief eased the worry lines on his face, and in their place, a smile lifted his lips. “That’s wonderful.” He leaned down and gave her a brief kiss. “I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do anything you set your mind on.” He paused. “You said the first thing—that implies you have more news.”
“I... I do.” She gazed into his eyes, finding the added strength she needed to put the words out there. “Roberto, I have something to tell you that I hope you will find as exciting as I do.”
A guarded look crossed his handsome face. “And this news, would it have anything to do with expanding our family?”
Her mouth gaped. “How...how did you know?”
A smile covered his face and lit up his eyes. “Call it wishful thinking.”
“Call it whatever you want, but the doctor says in seven months and one week, we’re going to be calling you Daddy.”
“Woo-hoo!” He picked her up in his arms and swung her around. When he settled her feet back on the ground, he said, “I didn’t think it was possible to make this day any better, but somehow you found a way. Thank you for making me see that life can be more than I ever imagined. I am truly living a dream.”
“You are my dream too. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
If you missed the previous stories in the Greek Island Brides trilogy, look out for
Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby
Claiming the Drakos Heir
And if you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Jennifer Faye
Heiress’s Royal Baby Bombshell
Miss White and the Seventh Heir
Beauty and Her Boss
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from A Secret, a Safari, a Second Chance by Liz Fielding.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003