That’s all it takes. She pivots and runs the last few steps into my arms. “Mami!”
I scoop her into my arms with a laugh. “Hola, mamita! Te extrañé muchísimo, bebesita”
She snuggles in closer, her curls brushing against my cheek. “I missed you, too!”
I press a kiss to her head, warmth spreading in my chest. “I have to go in and talk to Tio, is he inside?”
“Yup,” she says with a pop of her lips.
I get inside and glance around—and I see so much of Mari here. It’s beautiful. For so many years, Sebastian was alone. Heartbroken. Just…getting by. And then Mari came back. She put the light back into his world, and I’m grateful every damn day for it. What’s better than having one of my best friends as my sister-in-law?
I know I talked all that shit on the way over, but I can’t help but feel nervous. Seb always has a way of making me feel like a kid again. I spot Mari first andexhale loudly.
Mari laughs. “Girl. Good thing you’re here, because I’ve been trying to distract him from looking at his phone.”
“So you know, too?”
“Of course, I do. Libby told Hilda and Hilda called me right away. Now, why you didn’t tell me is the real question.”
I begin twirling a curl around my finger. “I wasn’t sure there was even something to tell. I was feeling it out.”
“I get that. Go talk to Seb, he’s in the back building a bookshelf for my library—but I want all the juicy details later.” She reaches for Maya’s hand and says, “Come on, Maya, let’s go eat cupcakes!”
“Yessss!” she excitedly screams.
I stand there for a moment, not quite ready to make a move, when I hear someone clearing their throat and jump. I turn to see Mateo waiting for me. Shit. I forgot he was here.
“Do you need more time?”
“Let’s just get this over with.”
I see Seb hammering away and wonder if maybe I should’ve waited until he didn’t have a weapon in his hands. Would he really hit Mateo? No. Maybe not? I don’t know.
Seb looks up and smiles. “Hey Lyse. I wasn’t expecting you this early.” Then he looks at Mateo, and confusion dawns on his face. “Mateo? What’s up, man? I wasn’t expecting you at all.” He chuckles.
“Seb, I need to tell you something,” I say nervously.
He immediately stands straight. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay!” I say quickly. “It’s nothing like that. I just need to tell you about…”
“About…?”
“Me and Mateo,” I mumble.
“Come again? I have no idea what you said.”
“MateoandIaredating,” Isay quickly.
“Lyse, I really need you to speak up here.”
Mateo jumps in and says, “She said that she and I are dating.”
Seb whips his head to Mateo. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“I said?—”
Seb interrupts. “I fucking heard what you said. Is this your idea of a joke?”
