“You’re a big, strong man. You can handle it.”
“How many blue shirts does one person need?” Rafe demands as he holds out a navy-blue blouse for me to put on a hanger and add to the closet.
Since I’m officially staying in the master bedroom, Rafe offered the gorgeous closet to me since what he has doesn’t fill even a fraction of it.
I didn’t say no.
“There are many different shades of blue,” I inform him and take the blouse from him. “This is navy, but that next one is cerulean.”
“Cer-what?”
“Cerulean. And then you have your baby blue, cobalt, indigo, teal—”
“Okay, okay.” He laughs and passes me another top. “I get it. You need a lot of blue. And every other color, it seems.”
“I like clothes.” I shrug and open another new container of hangers. “Just wait until we find the box full of pretty party dresses. Those are my favorite. I don’t go to many parties or formal events, but a girl needs to have plenty of options on hand, just in case.”
“I can’t wait.”
I glance at him and grin. “You know, you don’t have to help me in here. I can manage all of this. I’m sure you have stuff to do.”
“I don’t mind.” His phone rings, just as mine does at the same time. “Shane.”
“Ivie.”
“Put us on speaker,” Ivie says as soon as I answer. Rafe already has Shane on speaker when I get Ivie set up, and then they both announce, “We’re getting married!”
“Uh, we know. Shane proposed weeks ago,” I reply.
“No, we’re getting married now,” Ivie says. “Well, soon anyway. We’re on our way to Seattle right now.”
“We haven’t finished with the plans,” I reply, starting to panic. “A lot goes into a wedding, Ivie.”
“That’s just it,” Shane adds. “We don’t really want a big wedding.”
“So, we’re going to Vegas!” Ivie squeals. “All of us. Get packed because we’re leaving tonight.”
“Who else is going?” I ask.
“Curt’s with us, much to his dismay,” Ivie says. Curt is one of Shane’s closest friends and the manager of Shane’s ranch in Colorado. “Nadia and Carmine are flying into Vegas tomorrow morning.”
“But they’re on their honeymoon.”
“They’re headed back this way, on their way to some posh spot in Europe. They’re going to make a stop in Vegas to celebrate with us.”
“Did you invite the parents?” Rafe asks his brother.
“We talked to Mom and Pop,” Shane says. “They’re fine with this, as long as we let Mom throw us a big reception at some point.”
Ivie’s parents are dead, but my family thinks of her as ours.
“Even Uncle Igor was happy with it,” Ivie adds. “It’s all set. Seriously, pack. Oh my gosh, it’s going to be so fun.”
They both hang up, and Rafe and I just stare at each other in surprise and then bust up laughing.
“So, I guess we’re going to Vegas.”
“Never a dull moment with this family,” he says, shaking his head and tapping on his phone.
“I’ll finish unpacking a few boxes, and then I’ll pack. They won’t be here for a while yet.”
I pull the tape on a box, open the flaps, and hear Rafe mutter, “Good God.”
“What?”
“Is that all white shirts?”
“Yeah.” I look down with a frown. “I mean, you need white shirts, Rafe.”
“How many? There’s only one shade of white, A.”
I cross my arms over my chest, knowing that it boosts my boobs and he can see plenty of cleavage. “I don’t know.” I tap my lips as if I’m giving it a lot of thought. “There’s cream, eggshell, pearl, alabaster—”
He moves quickly, way faster than you’d expect for a man Rafe’s size, and crushes me to him, pressing his lips to mine and making me forget how to breathe right.
“That shut you up,” he says against my lips.
“I don’t remember what we were talking about.”
He laughs, pats me on the butt, and looks ridiculously proud of himself when I have to sit on the ottoman to get my bearings. But then the box at my feet reminds me.
“I really need to get this done. I can’t pack if I don’t know where all of my clothes are.”
“Of course, not. If you have this under control, I’ll go pack some things and make sure the jet will be ready.”
“I’ve totally got it under control.” I wave him off and reach for a cream blouse to hang.
“Do you want anything? A latte?”
“Oh my God, I’d give my right ovary for a latte.”
“No need for that.” Rafe leans in to kiss me. “I’ll bring you one in a bit.”
“You’re handy to have around.” I blow him a kiss and reach for another hanger. “I need to call Ivie back. I don’t even know what she wants me to wear.”
“Shit, you’re right. I’d better ask Shane if he wants me to bring a suit. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Okay.” I reach for my phone as Rafe leaves and dial Ivie’s number. I grin at the happiness in her voice when she answers.
“Hey there, bestie.”
“You sound ecstatic.”
“Are you kidding? I’m getting married in Vegas. How cool is that?”
“Very cool.” Not what I would pick, but I’m thrilled that she’s getting what she wants. “I need to know what the dress code is. Do I get to wear something fancy?”
“Hell, yes. I bought a gorgeous white dress that isn’t technically a wedding dress, but it’s going to be awesome. I know you have a closet full of nice dresses. Pick one.”
“Is there a particular color you want me to wear?”
“You’re beautiful in anything. Seriously, you choose.”
“I’m going to bring a couple of choices, and we can decide together.”
“Good idea. We’re in the car headed to the airfield now. We’ll be in Seattle by early afternoon. If all goes well, the five of us will be on the jet by dinnertime.”
“Sounds good to me. And because I am your best friend, and I love you, I’m just going to double-check. This is what you want, right? You’re not just doing this because you don’t want to ask my uncle to pay for a big wedding?”
“No. Honest. Shane and I were talking about it, and we both think it sounds like fun. Spontaneous.”
“It is that,” I agree. “Okay, you sound excited, so I am, too. I’ll be ready when you get here.”
“Annika, I’m so happy. Like, so happy. I didn’t think this could ever happen to me, and then Shane just burst into my life and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“The Martinelli men all have that in common.” I finish hanging up the last of the white shirts and turn to open another box. “They’re charming, and persistent.”
“And don’t forget sexy,” Ivie reminds me. “Okay, we’ll talk more when we have Nadia with us. I can’t wait to hear about her honeymoon.”