A lump grew in her throat. Those were the words she’d always wanted to hear. Did he really think that? Or was he just on a high from the anticipation of the night? She wanted her father to support her and love her unconditionally. Maybe there was hope for changing his ways.
Baby ran through the door to join Carolina and her papá in the living room.
“They’re here! A big SUV just turned into the driveway. I can’t believe Cari finally has a boyfriend! I’m going to be a flower girl!”
Ay. Carolina put her head in her hands.
The rest of the sisters raced inside.
“Take your places!” Adela yelled, like she was directing a play.
The women dispersed themselves among the brightly colored blankets and worn pleather couches.
The doorbell rang. Carolina’s toes tingled.
Mamá appeared from the kitchen. She was wearing the diamond cross Carolina had bought her for Mother’s Day.
Carolina took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and opened the door.
Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw Enrique, clutching a big bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates. He was wearing a blue pin-striped suit with a handkerchief in the chest pocket, and his hair shone under the porch light.
His bright, dazzling smile made him look like a movie star.
Tiburón stood next to him, dressed nicely in a black suit. He was also carrying a bouquet and a cake box. And he was wearing a turtleneck—no tattoo in sight.
Smart move.
Enrique handed Carolina the roses and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you. Welcome to our home.” She whispered in his ear, “You didn’t have to do all this.”
He grinned and whispered back, “Carolina, I don’t ever do anything I don’t want to do. It was my pleasure.” Heat flashed in his eyes. She felt like the most beautiful woman in the world under his gaze.
He lowered his voice. “You look incredible in that dress.”
Chapter Thirteen
No matter how many times he tried to look away, Enrique couldn’t stop staring at Carolina.
Her long black hair was curled, wisps of it framing her face. A few loose strands rested on her breasts. Her bright green dress showed off an incredible body. Her waist was tiny, and her hips were wide—a perfect knockout hourglass figure. But most importantly, she was strong. Her body was crafted from hard labor. It was insanely erotic. So many women in San Diego were too skinny and had so much filler that they all looked like they were airbrushed, but Carolina was a natural beauty.
Meanwhile, Tiburón was fawning all over Blanca, who, like her sister, was also a stunner. Blanca was batting her eyelashes at Tiburón.
Tiburón didn’t waste any time enacting the carefully thought-out plan he’d already mentioned to Enrique. He was going to go all out to win Señor Flores’s approval.
First step was to butter him up.
Tiburón greeted Señor Flores. “Mucho gusto, Señor Flores. My name is Tiburón Garcia. I would like to court your daughter, Blanca.”
Enrique stifled a laugh, and Tiburón gave him a pointed stare.
Señor Flores sized him up. “I wasn’t expecting another suitor tonight. But I’m impressed that you asked my permissionbeforedating my daughter.” Señor Flores glared at Enrique.
Nice passive-aggressive dig, dude.Enrique hadn’t done anything wrong. Had he known he was supposed to ask Carolina’s father’s permission to date her, he still wouldn’t have because the whole thing was sexist. And Enrique had never even decided to date her. All he’d agreed to do was be her Joseph. And now he was courting this girl like it was the 1950s.
Even worse, it looked to Señor Flores as if Enrique were intentionally disrespecting him. This whole thing was all so fucked-up.
Tiburón dating Blanca was a different situation. He worked at Las Pescas, but that wasn’t his calling; he didn’t have a career he loved in San Diego. He could move up here and work with his uncle. Or finally start his dream of opening a clothing line.
