“So, Dawson talked to you,” she said.
“Yeah.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Still feels strange I never noticed.”
“I’m happy for them.” She glanced up at me. “You?”
“They’ve both been alone a long time. They deserve someone to grow old with.”
Kaia leaned into me. “It’s like a full-circle moment. Everyone’s getting their happily ever after, including us.”
I thought of everything I still wanted—plans, milestones, hopes. For the first time, the future didn’t scare me.
For the first time, it looked promising.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Kaia
It was the morning of Asher’s twenty-fourth birthday. He’d gotten back late from the track the night before, and Maricarmen and I decided to let him sleep while we finished preparing for the celebration.
“Where did the time go?” she sighed, sliding the birthday cake we’d just picked up from the bakery into the fridge. “It feels like he was learning to walk only yesterday.”
“What was Asher like as a kid?” I asked. “Restless, I imagine.”
“Oh yes. Curious, too. And really smart. Did you know he graduated with straight A’s? I didn’t think he would, since racing mattered more to him than school, but that’s Ash for you. My son would’ve been proud of the man he’s become.”
I arranged slices of cheese and Serrano ham on the plate. “It’s a shame his mother isn’t proud of him.”
“It is.” Maricarmen’s voice softened. “Their relationship has never been easy, but I hoped she’d try now that he’s grown. He suffered so much when Sergio died.” She sniffled, blinking. “See? Even now I can’t talk about it without crying.”
“It’s okay.” I rubbed her back. “I get the same way when I think about my mom. It’s better now, but…”
“Grief is sneaky, am I right? Always lurking.”
Footsteps thudded down the hallway. A whiff of expensive cologne slipped into the kitchen, then Alejandro appeared with a gift bag and two bouquets of roses.
Maricarmen clasped her hands together, laughing. “Look who’s here. I didn’t expect you so early.”
He kissed her cheek and offered the red roses. “For you. You know I’m an early riser.” Then he turned to me. “And these are for you.”
I accepted the bouquet. “Thank you. They’re gorgeous. I’ll put them in water.”
“Dónde está el cumpleañero?” he asked as I set the flowers in a vase.Where is the birthday boy?
“The birthday boy’s still sleeping,” I said. “He was toast after training yesterday.”
Alejandro shoved his hands into his slacks. “Yeah. Sometimes he pushes himself too hard, but this season matters. He wants to win.”
Last year Asher had come in second. I couldn’t blame him for chasing a champion’s title.
“So, Maricarmen, anything for me to do?” Alejandro asked.
She nodded toward the stack of plates on the counter. “Go set the table. Dawson will be here soon, too.”
I grabbed forks and knives from the drawer.
“I’ll help,” I said, following Alejandro into the courtyard.
The sun warmed the tiles, and the ocean breeze scented the air. Hard to believe it was December.
