Sold on You by Sophia Knightly

patting her flat stomach. "But I'm sure Gabby will be happy to polish it off." She ended her suggestion with a meaningful glance at Gabriela's round hips.
    Before Gabriela could lunge at Nicole with the serving spatula, Marcos quickly removed it from her hand and set it on the table.
    "Nobody calls me Gabby. My name is Gabriela."
    "I'll try to remember that," Nicole said scornfully.
    Marcos placed his hand on the small of Nicole's back and propelled her toward the front door.
    "Oh, dear, I must get something I left in my room. It was nice to meet you, Nicole. Good night," Abuelita said.
    "The pleasure was mine, Mrs. Calderon," Nicole murmured politely from her spot at the door.
    When Abuelita Coqui left the room, Nicole kissed Marcos possessively full on the mouth, and then gave Gabriela a spiteful look before leaving. Gabriela glared accusingly at Marcos and was about to say something when Abuelita Coqui returned.
    "Oh good, she's gone. That young woman was so unpleasant!" exclaimed Abuelita Coqui.
    "She's a real drag," Gabriela agreed heartily.
    "Nicole is usually... er... nicer. She must have been tired," Marcos said diplomatically.
    Gabriela stared at him, disgusted that he'd chosen to defend Nicole. " Really? Tired or just plain—"
    "Aren't we having dessert ? " Marcos cut in, censoring her with a meaningful look.
    "Don't mind if I do." Gabriela silently served dessert for everyone and tried not to look at Marcos because she'd surely show her disappointment.
    Just as she was about to take her first bite , Abuelita Coqui cleared her throat, commanding their attention. "Excuse me, I'll be right back," she said with a cryptic smile.
    To Gabriela's surprise the elderly woman scurried to the bedroom and returned with a black velvet box. She handed it to Gabriela. "This is for you, dear. It was a gift from my husband, Alberto, when I turned twenty-one."
    Gabriela sat there frozen, racking her brain for the right thing to say, but her lips wouldn't form the words.
    "Open it," Abuelita Coqui gently urged.
    Her heart aching with remorse, Gabriela raised the velvet lid and drew a sharp intake of breath. "Oh, these pearls are exquisite! The color is so lustrous."
    "They're yours now," Abuelita Coqui said.
    "No, I couldn't! I mean, thank you for this generous gift. You've truly touched my heart. But I couldn't accept something your beloved husband gave you," Gabriela said, feeling like a rat for the deception.
    Abuelita Coqui waved away her objections. "Nonsense. I want you to have them. You've made me very happy as Marcos' future bride." She giggled. "Besides, I'd rather see these pearls on a beautiful young neck like yours, than my wrinkly one. Marcos, please help her with the clasp," Abuelita Coqui said, smiling happily.
    Plagued by guilt, Gabriela glanced at Marcos, who seemed to be having a hard time keeping his composure.
    "Of course, Abuelita," he said, rising from the table to place the pearls around Gabriela's neck.
    Gabriela shivered at the feel of his warm fingers resting on her nape as he closed the intricate flower-shaped clasp of the choker-length pearls. The pearls fit high around her neck, just above her sweater.
    "There." His hands lightly rested on her shoulders. "Let me see you."
    Trying not to show the desperation she was feeling, Gabriela reluctantly turned around to show him.
    "They're lovely on you," he murmured, his burnished hazel eyes glowing as he looked down at her upturned face.
    Gabriela couldn't disappoint Abuelita Coqui, especially with the fondness she saw in her wise, old eyes. She leaned forward and kissed her soft, scented cheek. "I'll always cherish your gift. Thank you."
    "It's my pleasure, dear. You're going to be Marcos' wife. It pleases me to see you wearing the pearls that hold fond memories for me."
    "Gracias," Gabriela barely managed to say.
    "Welcome to our family," Abuelita Coqui said warmly.
    Gabriela's response died on her lips when the phone rang. "I hope it's not the hospital," she