But her love for Carlos was more important than her father’s approval or her new-found career.
15
“How do I look?” Carlos straightened the bow tie on his tuxedo.
Carmen came to stand beside him in the mirror. “Handsome. Absolutely perfect.”
“And you look amazing.” He pressed a soft kiss to her fragrant neck.
He wanted to do much more because she looked so sexy in an ivory, off-the-shoulder dress, but she wouldn’t allow him to give her a proper kiss since she didn’t want to mess up her make-up. She’d flat-ironed her hair and wore bangs and long, straight extensions that fell to the middle of her back, with diamond drop earrings hanging from her ears.
She leaned against him and slid an arm around his waist. “Thank you.” Gazing up at him, she added, “You ready?”
Carlos nodded though about to walk on the emotional equivalent of a bed of nails engulfed in flames, but if that’s what it took to have a future with Carmen, he’d gladly walk on a thousand of them. “Yes.”
They left the condo together. Franklin, with his customary disapproving stare, opened the door and they climbed in the back. Carmen reached for Carlos’s hands as if in an effort to comfort him, but he believed she needed the comfort more than he did based on the nervous half-smile she sent in his direction before they pulled away from the curb.
At the venue, they climbed out of the vehicle, and Carmen’s hands tightened on his.
“You okay?” Carlos gazed down at her. She looked like someone about to throw up, and he was doubly glad he hadn’t let her talk to Alfred alone. She was so sensitive, and going against her father’s wishes was a big step, again. At least this time he was better prepared to deal with the fallout.
Carmen nodded. “Just nervous.”
“I’m here.” He squeezed her hand, which elicited a faint smile from her lips.
They entered the brightly lit venue, teeming with wealthy guests all ready to whip out their checkbooks and support pee wee soccer, little league baseball, and other sports for less fortunate kids. He didn’t like Alfred Reeves one bit, but the man was generous with his money when it came to sports—a passion he’d been forced to give up a long time ago when his professional baseball career ended.
A string quartet played a dulcet tune in the corner, and folks mingled with each other, talking and laughing as if they were old friends. They sauntered through the crowd with Carmen introducing him to some of the executive staff and business associates from other companies. Carlos smiled and shook hands but felt out of place. This wasn’t his world, but he needed to relax and accept that a future with Carmen meant attending more events like this, the same way a future with him meant attending art exhibits and festivals. If she could adjust, so could he.
He glanced at her as she engaged in conversation with an older woman and smiled to himself when he realized that he was truly thinking about a future with her. Next steps meant marriage, kids, pets, and living under the same roof, all of which he looked forward to with sudden vigor. But with him living in Atlanta and her living in Toronto, they had to figure out the logistics of their relationship.
They’d figure it out, because one thing he knew for sure—a future without Carmen was no future at all. The past three years had taught him that.
As the woman walked away, Carmen let out a short breath and scanned the room. “I haven’t seen my father yet but knowing him, he’s waiting to make an entrance.” She lifted two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter’s tray and handed one to him.
“That’s your second glass of the night,” Carlos remarked.
“I know. I’m nervous.” She took a sip.
He wished he could ease her mind with soothing words, but her worry came from the fallout years ago, when her father threatened to disown her if she didn’t break up with him.
“Nothing to be nervous about. We—”
Carmen stiffened, eyes settled on a point beyond his shoulder. He didn’t have to ask what she saw to know her father had made an appearance.
Carlos twisted around and saw Alfred and Graciela Reeves walking toward them. Carmen’s uncanny resemblance to her mother still blew him away. The woman had basically given birth to her twin. They were both petite, had generous lips, black hair, and were covered in lovely dark brown skin.
Graciela styled her thick mane in an updo, and she wore a jade-green dress that glittered under the lights. Her eyes widened at the sight of him, but as she approached, a smile split her lips.
“Hello, Carlos. It’s been a long time. How are you?” Graciela asked.
“I’m doing well, Mrs. Reeves. And you?”
“Very good. I cannot complain.”
“Glad to hear it. Mr. Reeves,” Carlos said with a curt nod.
“Carlos, I’m surprised to see you here.” Alfred didn’t bother with a fake smile or appear friendly in the least.
“Daddy, be nice,” Carmen said in a low voice.
“I think a bit of warning would have been appropriate,” Alfred said.
“We thought this was better.”
“We or him?” Alfred said, anger simmering in his eyes.
“Alfred, please.” Graciela touched his arm.
Alfred gave a humorless laugh and shoved his hands in the pockets of his tuxedo pants. “You’re right, my love. I should behave myself. After all, this is a very nice event, and I wouldn’t want to cause any problems. We’re going to mingle a little more. You two have a good night.” Alfred walked away, and after giving them an apologetic smile, Graciela followed him.
“That went fast and better than expected,” Carlos said.
Carmen’s eyes followed her parents’ movement around the room “He’s not done.”
Carlos’s gut clenched at the ominous tone of her voice. Because he knew she was right.
When Carlos exited the bathroom and re-entered the ballroom, he went in search of Carmen. He strolled the perimeter, eyes scanning for a glimpse of her. The room had filled with more people, and she was so tiny, he didn’t see her right away. Finally, he caught sight of her ivory dress as she spoke to a young man near the center of the room.
He took two steps and stopped abruptly when Alfred stepped directly in his path, facing him down with a stony stare.
“Mighty bold of you to come here tonight, considering…”
“That was a long time ago.”
“I still want you out of my daughter’s life.”
Carlos’s nostrils flared and his spine stiffened as he quickly surveyed the room to see if anyone paid attention to them. “I can’t do that. Accept that fate has brought us back together because we belong together.”
“Fate?” Alfred snorted. “You sound ridiculous.”
He glared into the eyes of the man who at one time had made him feel inadequate, less than. “Your jabs won’t hurt me tonight. I’ve heard all your remarks, and they no longer make a difference.”
“I want you to stay away from her because you’re not the right man for her.” Alfred smiled and waved at someone nearby. When he returned his attention to Carlos, his face shifted back into hard, unyielding lines. “She can do better than some wannabe artist. Step aside so a man who’s worthy of her attention, someone who is an equal, can join her in the life she deserves.”