Love makes all the difference.
I’m lying on my side, facing him, holding his hand as we stare at each other in a state of stunned disbelief. At least that’s what it is from my end.
“Is this real?” I ask him, breaking a long silence.
“So real and so perfect it’s not even funny.”
Smiling, I raise my head to look over him at the clock on my bedside table. “Your interview is in two hours. Do you want to sleep for an hour?”
“I can sleep on the flight home.”
The reminder that he’s leaving this afternoon is like a pinprick to my good-mood balloon. I feel deflated and sad, and he hasn’t even left yet.
“Don’t do that.”
“What am I doing?”
“Thinking about me leaving and things getting messed up. That’s not going to happen.”
“How do you know?”
“Because neither of us will let that happen. You’re the most important person in my life, and we’re going to make this work. I promise.”
His sweetness and certainty have me choked up, overwhelmed with all the emotions.
He slides closer to me, puts his arm around me and kisses me. “Don’t worry about anything.”
“What? Me worry?”
“You have to take your own badass warrior princess advice and stay optimistic. I’m going to get the job at Miami-Dade, I’m going to move here, we’re going to live together, and we’re going to be so fucking happy that people will be jealous of how happy we are. And that’s how it’s going to go. You got me?”
I release his hand and place mine on his face, feeling the subtle tickle of his whiskers against my palm. “I got you, and I’m not letting go.”
“Don’t you dare. I’d never forgive you after you talked me into falling in love with you.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
We stay there for another half hour, whispering, kissing, making plans. I want to exist inside this bubble with him forever and never come out.
“Come help me in the shower,” he says. “I need you to wash my back.”
Laughing, I drag myself out of bed and immediately feel shy when the sheet falls away.
He’s right there, wrapping his arms around me and holding me close. “Don’t ever, ever feel self-conscious around me. I think you’re a fucking goddess come to life.”
“You make me feel very good about myself.”
“You ought to feel exceptionally good about yourself.” Smiling, he adds, “I feel exceptionally good about you.” He takes hold of my hands and walks backward toward the bathroom, bringing me with him as he feasts his eyes on every naked inch of me.
My entire body is on fire with embarrassment and arousal and desire, although I can’t fathom any more of what we’ve already had repeatedly.
The warm water raining down on my sore muscles feels like heaven, as does the sweet massage he gives my back and shoulders.
When I turn to face him, I trace a finger down the center of his pectorals over the faint scar from his surgery. “Who designed the image?”
“I did. It was how I saw myself after the surgery, spreading my wings, ready for anything that might come my way.”
“It’s beautiful. Have you drawn other things?”
“Lots of stuff. It was how I stayed sane during the months in the hospital.”
“I want to see it.”
“I’ll show you everything when you come to Phoenix.” He runs his soapy hands over my breasts and belly, making my legs feel weak and rubbery beneath me. “I was thinking about Phoenix. I know you said you have to work next weekend, but could you fly out next Sunday? I’m going to give two weeks’ notice at work, and we can drive back the following weekend. That way, you could meet my parents before we leave.”
My head is spinning but in the best possible way. “As long as my mom is doing okay, I should be able to do that.”
“If she needs you, don’t sweat it. I can drive back by myself.”
“I have no doubt Maria and Carmen would be happy to cover for me with my parents so I could make the drive with you.”
“That’d be very nice of them.”
“They’ve been saying for a while now that they wanted me to find my Jason or Austin. They wanted me to have what they do. I know they’ll do anything they can to support us.”
“It makes me feel lucky to have their support. I know how much that matters to you.”
“It does. They’re my ride-or-die girls.”
“I’m glad you have them.”
“We both have them. If I love you, they will do anything for you, too.”
“That’s good to know.”
I kiss him and leave him in the shower to shave while I get dressed in leggings and a T-shirt that leaves one shoulder bare. Before I dry my hair, I check my phone, looking for an update on my mom, which Maria has provided.
Checked in with the nurses this morning. Mommy had a good night, and the antibiotics are doing the trick. Her fever has broken, and she should be released later today with a new prescription for more potent antibiotics. It seems the current crisis has passed.
I respond to the group text that includes my brothers, Vincent, Vivian, Francesca, Nona and Abuela. That’s such a relief. Thanks for the update. I’ll handle dinner for them tonight. Taking care of my parents will give me something to do after Wyatt leaves.
And just that quickly, my chest aches from the thought of him leaving. I know it’s temporary, but after this whirlwind weekend, all I want in the entire world—other than my mother’s complete recovery, of course—is to be with him.
I decide to let my hair dry curly because I’m too tired and lazy to bother with the drying-and-straightening ritual. I put it up in a bun to keep it from making my shirt wet.
Wyatt emerges from my bedroom wearing a gray suit with a white dress shirt and a navy patterned tie.
I’m rendered utterly speechless at the sight of him in a suit.
“Earth to Dee? You okay?”
I lick my dry lips. “You… You’re so handsome.”
His smile lights up his eyes. “Thank you. You’re looking rather handsome yourself.” He comes toward me with intent that can’t be mistaken after the time we’ve spent together.
I hold up a hand to stop him. “Slow your roll, pal. You’ve got somewhere to be.”
“I hate having somewhere to be, but if it allows me to relocate to my girl’s hometown, then I guess it’s worth it.”
Hearing him call me his girl makes me feel light-headed and happy. So damned happy. “Good news—my mom’s fever has broken, and they’re sending her home today.”
“That’s fantastic news.” He checks the fancy watch on his wrist. “I guess I should call for an Uber.”
“I’ll take you. I can visit Carmen’s office while I wait for you. She’s been telling me to come by for months now.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to mess up your day.”
“You’re going to mess up my day by leaving later. I don’t mind driving you. We can stop for a cortadito at our favorite ventanita.”
“Um, translation please?”