Maybe some of Señor Flores’s rules on dating weren’t the worst thing in the world. They ensured that both partners were committed to dating seriously. Enrique wasn’t ready to have a chaperone, butslowing things down, keeping dates out of the bedroom—that might be a better way forward. That way, an emotional relationship was established first. The hookup culture that was all too familiar to Enrique made him almost numb to deeper feelings. That didn’t mean he wanted to propose to a woman he didn’t know, but he could see the benefits of courting someone with no distraction of sex to overwhelm his perceptions of the relationship.
But he was done thinking about long-term decisions. For tonight, he would plan a great date.
Dancing it was.
Julieta had dragged Ramón to the local salsa club the other night, and Julieta had recommended that the others check it out if they had a chance. Enrique entered the address on his navigation. It was an hour away, and he did have to bring her back home, but he wanted to take her somewhere really special and impress her.
“I know just the place.” He reached over and placed his hand on her luscious bare thigh. “Dinner and dancing.”
She exhaled. “I really appreciate you dealing with all this drama. I’m so sorry.”
“Carolina, I admire you. I mean, I came up here in the first place because you intrigued me, but seeing you stand up to your family was really brave. And I know it must’ve been hard for you.”
She gasped, then her mouth turned into a smile. “You’re really great. Nothing like I thought you’d be.”
“What did you think I’d be like?”
“Arrogant. Cocky. Entitled based on your wealth. After we met, I googled you and your family and read some articles. I’m sorry I judged you.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m not perfect, Carolina. Far from it. But I’m trying to be a better man.”
“A better man? What do you mean?” Carolina asked, then her eyes widened. “Did you go to prison, too?”
“No!” Enrique laughed. “But I was just pretty wild for a while.” He studied her face—her teeth clenched. Maybe he should explain so her mind didn’t come up with crazy ideas of his hedonism. “Nothing too serious—I dated many women, partied around the world, drank heavily, just had a good time. Honestly, I enjoyed it but it left me feeling empty. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come up here and meet you. I loved your story. I just really wanted to be around someone who was passionate about what they did for a living—and damn good at it, too.”
“That means a lot to me. I didn’t think anyone would ever see those pictures of me in my graduation gown sitting in the fields when Blanca posted them on her Instagram, but they went viral. Next thing I knew, I had reporters contacting me. I was reluctant at first to speak to them, but I wanted to bring awareness to the plight of farmworkers.” She laced her fingers with his.
Enrique’s hand tingled from her touch. At one point, Carolina looked down at her phone and turned it off. Ugh. He couldn’t even imagine what kind of messages her family was leaving her.
They spent the rest of the ride in comfortable silence. Enrique wanted to give her time to process what had just happened with her family.
They pulled into a seafood restaurant next to the salsa club. A valet took the car. Young couples milled around the velvet rope in front of the club, waiting for their turn to get in. Carolina leaned against Enrique, and he put his arm around her.
The waitress guided them to a table with two chairs close together and a panoramic view of the ocean, the waves crashing against the rocks below. What a contrast from the dinner at the Flores house. Clean white tablecloths and a bouquet of flowers dressed each table.But Carolina was the most breathtaking part of this scene. As if a weight had already been lifted off of her, her smile grew radiant, and she relaxed into the night.
Carolina gulped down a glass of water as soon as they sat down.
Enrique ordered champagne to start the evening, which the waiter brought a few minutes later.
Enrique lifted his glass. “A toast! To my beautiful date, who is such an inspiring woman, and to all the many incredible things she’s accomplished. I’m very lucky to be here with you.”
Carolina raised her own glass and clinked it with his. Her eyes filled with tears. “This is already such a special night. I know it must seem silly, but I never go out. I don’t ever celebrate my hard work. Thank you.”
She leaned over the table and kissed him softly.
It was the first kiss she’d initiated; it felt good to know that she desired him.
He tugged at his collar. “You’re welcome. I’m happy to show you a good time. But I feel bad. Like I came into your life and blew up your world. That wasn’t my intention.”
She clasped her hands together. “Oh, this isn’t your fault at all. In fact, you have opened my eyes to so many things. I didn’t quite realize it, but I’d been unhappy for some time. I’m successful professionally, but I live for my family. I’ve been afraid all my life to stand up to them... but I’m not afraid anymore.” She perused the cocktail list.
“I love that you’re not afraid. But are you worried what will happen when I take you home?”
“No. They’ll deal. Can we not talk about them for the rest of the night? This is my first date ever, and I just want to enjoy it.” She licked her lower lip. “And get to know you.”
“Absolutely.”
The waitress came and Enrique ordered a dirty martini and Carolina asked for a margarita. He ordered calamari as a starter and the steak and lobster tail as his entrée. Carolina chose the jalapeño cheese corn fritters and shrimp pasta.
