“Sí. What Ava said.”
“It’s never too early to have that conversation.” Tía Yesenia pulls to a stop outside the lobby. She turns off the engine and sighs. “But forgive me if I’ve overstepped. I’m just an excited tía.”
“I know you mean well, Tía,” Fernando says gently. “Give us time. Like Ava said, right now, we’re focused on learning more about one another and growing and developing what we have. I’d like to hope Ava is the one”—his eyes meet mine, sparkling with warmth, then return to his aunt—“but I can’t give you any answers about the future yet.” He kisses her on the cheek. “Thank you for the ride.”
As he says that, even I find myself glimmering with hope that I could be the one. He sounds so convincing. An army of butterflies stirs in my stomach. Every time I’ve thought about Fernando recently, I’ve seen him as being morethan just a friend. I want our fake relationship to become real.
“Yes. Um, thanks.” I offer her a return hug, forcing myself to focus on the present.
“Are you two leaving for Santa Luz after you check out?”
“I think so. We need to check on our rental car first. It’s still with the mechanic.”
She nods. “Well, if you don’t get it back by two, send me a text. You can have the rental agency pick up the vehicle and I’ll take you home with me.”
Fernando promises we’ll keep her up to date. She waves and drives off.
As we ride the elevators back up to the suite, he runs a hand through his hair. “We’re almost out of time, but you can still back out of being my girlfriend if you want.”
“Nope. I’m not going anywhere,” I insist. Especially now that I’ve realized what I really want. “I liked your aunt a lot. She was blunt, you’ll never mistake what she means or wants.”
“That’s howallmy family is.” He leans against the elevator wall. “They’re loud and say exactly what’s on their minds.”
“Good, I can handle it.”
He arches his eyebrow, but doesn’t say anything.
“It’s funny. My family is the complete opposite of yours. I can’t wait for you to meet them.” I face-palm. “Fernando, I didn’t mean for that to slip out. I don’t expect you to meet my family. Outside my sister. Since you’ve already met her.”
He holds up his hand. “Ava, we’re under a lot of stress. I think we’ll both misspeak a couple times over the next few days.” My gaze meets his, and I see the sincerity in his eyes. “Although for what it’s worth, I’dbe more than happy to meet the rest of your family.”
The doors open and we step out.
“Go ahead and take the first shower. I’m gonna text my sister,” I say.
“I’ll be quick.”
“It doesn’t make any difference to me. Take your time.”
I open the balcony door and step outside, letting the cool breezetickle my face. It’s so easy to pretend Fernando and I are a couple that at times I can’t believe it’s not real. Is this how method actors feel?
What is Fernando feeling? He’s admitted that he finds his aunts intimidating. Seeing him stand up for himself and say we’re taking this relationship at our own speed made me want to applaud, then kiss him senseless.
Even if it’s all a farce. He shouldn’t be scared of them or even have to put on a show. At the end of the day, it’s his life to live. He’s the one who has to be at peace with his choices. And if he wants to stay single forever, he should be able to. Although I do hope he changes his mind down the road. As the song goes, one is the loneliest number.
Our rental car is ready after lunch. We don’t take Tía Yesenia up on her generous offer, instead departing Valencia for Santa Luz on our own around one.
“Is it terrible if I’m relieved?” I say to Fernando as we leave the city limits and head along the coast to his hometown. The scenery is breathtaking and reminds me of the Pacific Coast Highway from back home. We’re driving along a road that runs parallel to the ocean. There’s a vast expanse of azure-blue ocean from the road to the horizon that I can’t stop staring at.
“Nope, I am too. We deserve a little quiet time to ourselves before we have to face my family.”
“Do you think what your aunt said is true? Is your mom really gonna have plans for us the second we arrive?”
“Si, Mamá will have made plans.” He blinks slowly. “But I have no problems telling her we have our own. We can slip away for some quiet time or do some sightseeing whenever you want.”
My stomach does a somersault. “Are you going to take me to another Christmas market?”
“That’s an option.” His lips twitch. “There’s also some Romanruins, the beach, and the big-cat wildlife sanctuary in Santa Domingo.”
