She didn’t bother to check the peep hole. She opened the door and wasn’t remotely surprised to see her father standing in the hallway.
“Do you mind if I come in?” Alfred asked.
Carmen walked away without greeting him, at the point now where she no longer cared. If he gave her an ultimatum, she knew what her answer would be.
She stood in the middle of the living room with her arms crossed. “Whatever you have to say, say it and leave.” No point in beating around the bush with pleasantries. They both knew why he was there.
“Is that any way to talk to your father?” He still wore a suit, which meant he had stayed late at the office and come here before going home.
“Daddy I love you, but you’ve made me this way. You never have anything good to say about Carlos, and I know this so-called important conversation is about him, and I don’t want to hear you bad-mouth him anymore. Three years have passed, he’s successful as an artist and is working at becoming more successful. He may never be wealthy like we are, but he makes an honest living. Why isn’t that enough?”
Alfred sighed as if she exhausted him. “When you have children, you’ll understand. I had different expectations for you. I worked my fingers to the bone so you could have everything I didn’t have growing up. I didn’t do all that so you could throw it away on some artist with a pipe dream, Carmen.”
“Being with Carlos doesn’t mean I’m throwing away my livelihood. This is the same spiel you’ve always given me. Nothing has changed.”
“You’re only twenty-five years old. Why don’t you wait a while before you make any major decisions?”
“You weren’t worried about my age when you tried to set me up with Tyler.”
His jaw hardened. “Fair enough. But in my defense, he’s a much better prospect. The kind of man who has his own money and wouldn’t be using you for a financial windfall.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“This boy has turned you against me.”
“No, he hasn’t! Your actions have made me this way.” Her heart ached. “Why are you like this?”
“You know why I’m like this!” Alfred said with vehemence. “You know how that guy used my sister, milking her for money every chance he got. If my father and I hadn’t stepped in, who knows where she would be right now. Thank goodness she finally came to her senses. And what about that fool you met at the mall, huh? Soon as you were allowed to date, you got caught up with some ne’er-do-well with no money. That boy had you buying him shoes!” He sounded appalled.
“It was one pair of shoes.” He’d mentioned the shoes, and she’d surprised him with them.
“And you paid for your dates.”
“Only a few times!”
“Hah. Trust me, it was just the beginning.” Alfred pinched his nose. “I want to take care of you, Carmen. You’re my daughter. That’s what fathers do—we take care of our kids. It’s what my father did. You can’t fault me for loving you.”
She sighed and swallowed. It pained her to be at odds with her father. “No, I don’t,” she said, softening her voice. “But I fault you for treating the man I love like he’s unwelcomed. You’re hurting me by doing that. Carlos and I are in love with each other. My feelings for him haven’t changed in all this time, and his for me haven’t changed. I wish you would accept our relationship and give your blessing. Welcome him instead of making this so hard.” Her voice trembled at the end.
Alfred studied her. “I know better than you what kind of man he is.”
Carmen shook her head. “No, you don’t. I know what kind of man he is. He’s kind, and he loves me. He left before because of you. Don’t chase him away again. Please. Because if you do, this time I’m going with him, and you won’t see me again.”
Alarm entered Alfred’s eyes. “You don’t mean that.”
“I meant it before. I didn’t leave because…because Carlos wanted to go alone. He was worried he couldn’t take care of me. But this time, nothing will keep us apart.”
“Is that what he told you? That he was worried he couldn’t take care of you?”
“Yes.”
Alfred chuckled and shook his head. “And you think you know him?”
His smug response sounded as if he knew something she didn’t, which made Carmen frown. “I do know him.”
“You don’t know him like I do. You don’t know the kind of man he is,” Alfred said. “I didn’t want to hurt you, but he’s left me no choice. You have left me no choice.”
The pit of her stomach contracted in fear, and her bluster took a hit. “What are you talking about?”
“He didn’t tell you about the money, did he?”
“What money?”
Alfred sighed and sat down. He patted the cushion beside him. “Have a seat, and I’ll tell you everything.”
18
Carlos checked the time and then flipped the plant-based burgers on the stovetop grill. He and Carmen had discussed going meatless two days this week. He’d tried this brand of patties before, and they were pretty tasty. He figured Carmen would like them, too.
“She’ll be here soon, Sofia,” he said to the cat, who lapped water from her bowl nearby. For some reason, Carmen was bringing Franklin with her this time, and he would bring her to the apartment.
Carlos double-checked the contents of the refrigerator and then sprayed air freshener throughout the loft. When he finished, he removed each burger, set them on plates, and covered them with foil to keep them warm. Several minutes later, while slicing tomatoes, the doorbell rang.
“Shit,” he muttered. He’d hoped to have everything ready before she arrived.
He set down the knife and went to the door. When he saw Carmen, as lovely as ever in a pair of thigh-hugging jeans and a white cashmere sweater, he became overwhelmed. Damn, he loved this woman. She was standing on his doorstep, and they’d have an entire week together. He needed to figure out how to move back to Canada because the time they spent apart was eating away at his soul.
Carlos immediately swept her up in his arms, burying his face in her rose-scented hair. “Mi amor, it’s so good to see you.”
He set her on her feet and moved to kiss her, but oddly enough, she dodged his lips.
Startled, Carlos stared for a second but held on to her arms. “Hey, something wrong?” He glanced behind her. “Franklin didn’t bring up your bags?”
Carmen eased away from him and shut the door. “They’re downstairs.”
That was strange. Why didn’t Franklin just bring them up?
“Do you need me to go down and get them?” Carlos asked.
She’d told him not to come to the airport to pick her up because she was bringing Franklin with her and he’d make sure she got here, but maybe she was upset he hadn’t pushed harder. He couldn’t read her mood. He expected her to be as happy to see him as he was to see her, but instead, she appeared cool—almost aloof so far.
“No.” Carmen rubbed her hands together and walked around him and farther into the apartment.