“You’re correct. You can.” Carolina raised her hand to high-five Blanca, but Blanca wrapped her arms around Carolina and kissed her on the cheek.
“I love you so much. Thank you. Oh my God. But forget about me. Tell me everything! What happened with Enrique? What was the kiss like? OMG, that’s your first kiss ever! Are you in love?”
Carolina grinned. She motioned Blanca over to a small bench in front of the hospital. She was a bit dizzy, probably from all that kissing.
She clasped her sister’s hand. “Yes, he’s the only guy I’ve ever kissed. You know that. It was amazing. Like, it was sweet at first, but then more forceful. My heart raced, and he smelled so good. I was completely overwhelmed.”
“You are so lucky! I’m so happy for you! So, are you guys together now?”
Carolina had lied enough tonight. She had to tell the truth—at least to her sister. “Well, it’s not what it seems. He accompanied me to the hospital, and when we walked into the room, Papá asked if he was my boyfriend.”
Blanca’s eyes bugged. “Oh my God, you did not. Tell me you didn’t lie to Papá.”
“Says the girl who lied to Enrique and impersonated me in an email.”
Blanca tossed her hair dramatically. “Whatever, I stand by that decision.”
Carolina bit her lower lip. “I did. Papá looked so happy, Blanca! And he’s sick. I didn’t want to tell him no. So, I said yes.”
Blanca shook her head. “And Enrique went along with the lie?”
“He did, shockingly. But Papá started being a jerk about Enrique’s dad, so I shut him down. Papá then informed Enrique that I couldn’t cook and said he would understand if Enrique didn’t want to date me.”
Blanca rolled her eyes. “Dad is the worst. He thinks our only purpose in life is to serve men. It’s so gross. I want my man to serveme.”
Carolina grinned. “I know, right? Enrique was so cool about it and even stood up for me. He said that he didn’t care at all that I don’t cook. That he would be happy to cook for me. Can you believe it?”
“I hate you right now. He’s so perfect. When’s the wedding?”
Carolina sighed and sank further into the hard metal seat. “This is fake, remember? He lives far away, and we would never actually work out. But Papá did invite him for dinner when he gets out.”
“Can he bring Tiburón? He’s so hot.”
Carolina rolled her eyes. “Blanca, we both know that Papá would never accept Tiburón with his tattoos.”
Blanca gulped and lowered her voice, almost as if she were worried their father would somehow hear. “I know. And it’s not just the tattoos. He told me tonight that he became super religious... while he was in prison!”
“Prison? Yeah, no, forget it.”
Blanca shook her head. “But he’s a changed man. I just want Papá to give him a chance. He wants to settle down and have kids someday.”
Papá would never approve. Ever.
“Well, good luck. You really like him?”
“Yes, I do. He’s really sweet and cool.” She looked at the night sky, dreamily. Blanca always pursued these hot guys—behind Papá’s back, of course. But none of them wanted to settle down, get married, and start a family. Unlike Carolina, Blanca wanted to be a mother and a housewife. She loved children and wanted a big family. But still, she always went for the hot, bad-boy player. “Anyway, tell me more about Enrique. Tell me more about the kiss?”
“I shouldn’t. It’s best I forget it.” Carolina sighed.
Blanca dramatically shook her head. “Nope. I want details.”
“Fine. He asked me to kiss him. I thought he was just joking, but he was serious. And he wouldn’t kiss me until I agreed to. It was... amazing.” The excitement in her voice dropped as reality set in. “But I think he was just in the moment. Let’s be real—he’s probably kissed thousands of women, and I’ve only kissed him. And this was after I had pretty much forced him to be in a fake relationship with me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t worry about it. He likes you for sure. Just enjoy this time with him until he leaves. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. If not, there are other fish in the sea.”
Easy for Blanca to say. She had a new crush every week.
Carolina didn’t. She almost never liked anyone.
