He gave a slight nod. “What about your father?”
“I’ve deeded Flores Family Farm to my father. We’re still notspeaking. But I’m looking to start a new partnership, and I... I hope it can be with you.”
His jaw dropped. A flicker of joy graced his face.
“You’re serious? You want to work with me? Doing what? You just said you sold your farm.”
She nodded. “Yes. I did. But I bought this one. I moved here, Enrique. There is a small cottage on this property.”
He looked away from her toward the ocean. “Carolina... I don’t know what to say.”
She took a step forward. “That’s fine. I do. The thing is... I love you, Enrique. I’ve never met anyone like you. You are kind, compassionate, gorgeous, and most importantly, respectful. I needed time to work on myself to be someone who is your equal in every way. And I know I screwed up.” She choked back a sob. “But I was hoping you would give me a chance. I’m not asking to be your girlfriend—real or fake. I just want to get to know you. Maybe go on a date. And if you still hate me, I’ll leave you alone.”
He licked his bottom lip. “I can’t hate you.”
She stepped toward him and brushed her hand on his face and stared into his eyes. “Forgive me.”
Enrique stood still for a moment, but a smile slowly spread across his lips.
“I can try.” He leaned in and kissed Carolina.
A few months ago, she had never even been kissed. And now she was in love with a man, and with herself.
And she had found a true partner. A good man. Carolina had never thought that she would be happy in a relationship. She wanted to be there for him and support him as well.
She had been hailed in the media as a strong, independent woman before. But it wasn’t until today that she truly felt like she was living her authentic life.
Epilogue
The following December, Enrique and Carolina went up to Santa María. This time, as a couple.
But again, they weren’t alone. Enrique couldn’t do anything without his family.
Ramón, Julieta, Rosa, Jaime, Tiburón, and Linda had all gone to spend the holidays up at the Montecito home. But they weren’t in town for Enrique to make a business connection.
They were here to celebrate Las Posadas.
Blanca was set to be Mary this year, and it was Tiburón’s turn to tame the donkey—he would be Joseph.
Carolina had been a nervous wreck since hearing about Las Posadas. She wasn’t going to come, but Enrique insisted. Tiburón was Julieta’s cousin and soon to be part of Enrique’s family—they had every right to attend.
She smoothed her dress in the mirror in his bedroom at the beach home.
“How do I look?”
“Gorgeous.”
She gulped. “What if my father kicks me out and I ruin Blanca’s night?”
“If that happens, we will leave. But I’m sure he wants to see you.”
“I don’t know.”
Enrique and Carolina had settled into a stable loving relationship over the past eight months. They still lived apart, which suited them both fine. They spent their weekly date nights exploring new restaurants or heading to the beach.
Enrique had even agreed to take a few Ballet Folklórico lessons so she would have a partner. It was fun, and he was a good sport.
And she had grown to like yoga, especially the restorative type, which focused more on relaxation and less on dogma.
