“It gets worse. Then she got engaged to this guy and invited Drew to the wedding, along with all their coworkers. He told me about it when I ran into him at happy hour. When I mentioned how frustrated I was, constantly getting set up with dates at our family dinners, we agreed to help each other out. We pretended we were dating so that neither of us had to feel like losers at these social events. But I’m sorry I lied to you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
She set her mug on the table, reluctant to drink any more booze on an empty stomach. Now that she’d offered up her confession, she didn’t want to double down by getting drunk. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms as she waited for her mom to chastise her.
But instead of yelling, Mamá shook her head sadly. “No,I’msorry, mija. I didn’t realize we made you feel that way. There’s nothing pathetic about being single.”
What?“Then why set me up with all those different guys? Why nag me about dating?”
Mamá approached Rosie and pulled her into a hug. “Because you work too hard. You’ve always been that way. I admire your drive, but you need a better work-life balance. Time for yourself, time for your job, and time for a loving relationship. I thought if I could find the right person for you, then you’d realize what you were missing. That’s all I wanted.”
A sob choked Rosie’s throat as she surrendered to her mom’s embrace. All this time, when Mamá had told her, “We just want you to be happy,” she’d actually meant it.
“I’m so proud of you,” Mamá said. “We all are. To come this far in your career, at your age, is a blessing. But it can’t be the only thing in your life.”
“It’s not. I have all of you. And my friends.” Rosie pulled away and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m not completely alone.”
“I know, but you seemed so happy when Drew was around. Instead of just complaining about the hotel, you let us help you. We liked getting involved in your world.”
“I liked it, too. I’ll try to ask for help more often.” Rosie let out a long, shuddering breath. Even if she and Drew weren’t together, at least she’d been brave enough to tell her mom the truth. But to her surprise, Isabella was now scowling at her, arms crossed.
“What is it?” she asked. “I said I’m sorry.”
“I call bullshit on the pretend thing,” Isabella said. “Maybe it started out that way, but I saw how Drew looked at you. He was totally whipped.”
“I agree,” Camila said. “He also played Santa for your hotel. That’s huge.”
“And he invited us to that Friday night event with the cocoa and singing,” Mamá added. “He didn’t have to do that. I think he truly cares about you.”
As the weight of their words sank in, Rosie was tempted to deny it. Anything to avoid confessing her unrequited love for Drew. But as she looked at the concerned faces around her, she didn’t want to hide her feelings from them.
“Hedoescare about me, and I feel the same way about him. But two nights ago, I told him I wanted our relationship to be real. I…said I was in love with him. He wasn’t ready for that.” She sniffed, trying to hold back a fresh round of tears.
Isabella handed her a tissue. “You go hard, don’t you? Most people would work up to a big declaration like that, but I’ll bet you just blurted it all out.”
Rosie couldn’t help but laugh. “You know me. Go big or go home.”
“Maybe Drew needs time to take it all in,” Camila said. “Men don’t always express their feelings as easily as we do.”
Isabella smacked her hand on the kitchen island. “They’re fucking clueless is what they are. The first time I admitted to Petey that I was falling for him, he didn’t take it well.”
“Isabella Maria, you never told me that,” Mamá said.
“Because it wasn’t your problem to solve. I knew he felt the same way I did, but he had to get his head out of his ass. Only after I threatened to leave did he realize he was about to lose the best thing that ever happened to him.” Isabella doled out a mug of punch from the big bowl and handed it to her mom. “Here, Má, I think you might need this.”
“Dating Jaime was a true test of patience,” Camila said. “He didn’t have any problem saying he loved me, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to get married. That’s why it took us three years to get engaged.”
At that, Mamá tossed back her drink. “Well, you all know how stubborn Héctor is. Even after the doctor told him to watch his diet, he still kept sneaking sweets. Putting up with that old goat hasn’t been easy.”
Their show of solidarity warmed Rosie’s heart. Even though her family members had found loving partners, it was good to know their relationships weren’t perfect.
She wanted to believe she and Drew might have a chance. That they could carve out their own happy ending. But she couldn’t forget his reaction when she’d revealed her feelings. The way he’d regarded her with a mixture of shock and pity. All because she’d told him the one thing hedidn’twant to hear.
Even so, she didn’t want to disappoint her family. “Thanks. I appreciate the support. But, um…before everyone gets here…” Her phone buzzed in her pocket, sending a jolt of nerves coursing through her. Her hand trembled as she pulled it out.
Could Drew be calling to express his love for her? Would she be lucky enough to experience a Christmas miracle?
When she saw the caller ID, her heart plummeted.
It wasn’t Drew. Not even close.
