“No wonder he wasn’t answering his phone,” she murmured. She had called him several times during the drive to Enrique’s apartment, but their father never picked up. “I can’t imagine your dad accepting that ultimatum without a fight.”
“Me either. But then again, your dad isn’t one to mess with. But . . . when my papi and I stood in the Mi Cuba collection together. . . God, Anamaría, I wish you could have seen him.” His face lit up with pure joy, and she nearly flung her arms around him in a congratulations hug.
“He was so moved,” Alejandro said, his voice raspy with awe. “He actually thanked me. And he said he was . . . he was . . .”
“Proud,” she finished, absolutely thrilled for him, and his father.
Alejandro grinned. An endearing version of his sexy smirk that still managed to make her toes curl.
“What did your mom say? She was pretty pissed at him when I left.”
“Thankfully they made up tonight. I mean, I’ve been pretty worried about them. She’s barely said a word to him the past two weeks.” Alejandro gazed at her, remorse shadowing his eyes. “I should have told you, but I was ashamed. That’s why I didn’t think I should stay. Because I couldn’t be the wedge that drove my parents apart. I’d never forgive myself. But that didn’t mean I was ready to give up on us.”
Anamaría ducked her head, afraid to consider the possibility that they could still be an “us” with him unwilling to stay and her unwilling to leave her familia for good. Dejected, she poked at a tuft of grass with her toe. “That’s wonderful about your parents, Ale. And I’m really happy for you and your dad.”
“Yes, it was a wonderful evening. Only, it wasn’t perfect because while my parents made up, and my papi and I finally found some common ground, there was something missing.”
She glanced up at him when he stopped, leaving her to guess what he referred to.
An expectant expression stamped his face. He tugged on the swing chains, and Anamaría shuffled a baby step closer. “Someone missing.”
Hope flared like a July Fourth sparkler waving in her chest at the love shining in his dark eyes.
“There’s only ever been you for me, Princesa. You’ve always owned my heart. And if you’ll forgive me for taking so damn long to make things right between us, to be the man you deserve, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving how much I love and treasure you.”
Tears burned in her eyes. Love for him swelled within her, stealing her breath. Robbing her of the ability to form coherent words.
Alejandro must have taken her silence as doubt, because he released his hold on her hands, then reached in between the chains to wrap her in his embrace. His woodsy, patchouli scent enveloped her, and she breathed it in like an aphrodisiac.
“I know your business is taking off, and mine leads me all over the place. But we can make this work. Travel together when we can. Returning here, to each other.” He pulled back, his hands moving to cradle her jaw. His right thumb traced the edge of her lower lip as his gaze strayed to her mouth, then up to meet hers. “Go on your trip this week. Be your incredible self. And I’ll be here, at home, waiting for you. If you’ll have me—”
Anamaría lifted on her toes to cover his mouth with hers.
He groaned, tightening his arms around her and deepening their kiss. His tongue glided across her lips and she opened for him, savoring the taste of Prosecco and mint. Of him.
Needing to be closer, she slid her arms around his waist, flinching when the swing’s rubber seat bit into her lower thigh.
They broke apart long enough for her to shove the swing aside, then step into his open arms where she belonged. His sexy smile greeted her before he stooped to drop a kiss on her forehead, her nose, her—
“Te quiero,” she murmured as his lips feathered over hers.
His grin widened and her soul sang. “I love you more.”
The loud bang of a firework sounded from several streets over. Heads pressed together, they craned their necks to stare up at the pink squiggly lines worming their way out from a tiny center point to create a poofy ball across the inky black sky.
Another shot blasted through the quiet streets, followed by the flash of bright orange lights twinkling and crackling high above.
Content, Anamaría snuggled against Alejandro’s chest. They’d come full circle, the two of them. One Fourth of July ages ago, they’d taken that first tentative step as adolescents bitten by young love. Tonight, they took a confident, new first step as adults, committing to each other as well as their individual and shared goals.
“No matter where our jobs take us, as long as our hearts remain anchored together, I’d say we’re all good. Right?” She gazed up at him, no longer afraid to let her love for him blaze in her eyes.
“More than good. I’d say, perfect.”
She smiled with delight, and Alejandro dipped his head to seal their promise with another heady kiss.
Acknowledgements
A good chunk of the first draft of this manuscript, plus revisions and copyedits, were completed during a difficult yet important year—a pandemic, social distancing, separation from those we care about most, marches and movements demanding racial and social justice and reform. In the midst of it all, technology helped us stay close with loved ones and make new connections, while allowing our voices to be heard!
More than ever, during this emotional time, I relied on many to help keep me sane and motivated. Mil gracias to all who encouraged, supported, cheered, threatened with a chancla, or in some way helped Anamaría’s and Alejandro’s book become a reality.
Here are some key individuals who made this book possible: To the firefighters in Key West and Monroe County who put their lives on the line every shift, and especially to those who let me hang out and pick their brains while researching my Keys to Love series, especially the Sellers brothers and Daniela, who brought Anamaría to life in remarkable ways . . . any discrepancies in this book are all my own.
To Hector, whose photography skills are divine and whose patience during a loooooong phone call with me helped form the foundation for Alejandro’s passion for his craft. ¡Gracias, mi amigo, te lo agradezco!
To author sister-friends who via text, DM, PM, Facetime, Zoom, Google Hangout, critiques/feedback, and more helped me keep on keeping on in the midst of the insanity and doubts . . . Farrah, Kwana, Sonali, Falguni, Jamie, Barbara, Sally, Virginia, Tracy, Amy, Tracey, Tif, Michele, and Nina . . . I can’t wait until we can retreat in person and brainstorm over drinks together!
Para mis amigas-hermanas en la comunidad de autoras Latinx-Rom, especialmente Mia, Alexis y Sabrina . . . from 4ChicasChat to a retreat house with more, I’m exceedingly blessed to know, love, and learn from you all! May our numbers continue to grow, and our stories continue to be shared and appreciated. Mil gracias for the sisterhood! Abrazos.
To my agent and editor team—Rebecca, Esi, and Norma—thank you for being such an integral part of bringing my island home and the Navarro familia to life. I’m exceedingly thankful to work with you.
Para mi familia . . . Mami y Papi, my sister and main brainstormer-beta reader, Jackie, my three girls, Alexa, Gabby, and Belle . . . when I’m pulling all-nighters, needing “get off social media” reminders or a partner to bounce an idea or scenario around with, or when it’s time to pop a bottle of bubbly to celebrate good news or submitting a manuscript, one or all of you are always there. Life can be hard at times. Life definitely throws us wicked curves. Life (and a pandemic) may keep us apart. But through it all this remains true . . . my love for you all and my thanks for the blessing of our familia is boundless. ¡Los quiero mucho!