Mateo walks in from a back room, quickly taking in the scene as we all pull away from our group hug. “Oh good, looks like we missed the estrogen surge, Dad.”
William comes in behind him and walks straight to Canela as he chuckles. “We have good timing, then.”
Canela pulls out her wooden spoon and slaps William’s butt with it before going on tiptoes to kiss him. The open display of affection makes me uncomfortable, but also sends my mind off daydreaming.
Groans erupt from the two girls, and I look over at Mateo, who mimes throwing up.
Mateo stops his mime act and winks at me, blowing a kiss in my direction as the girls finally protest loud enough that their parents stop kissing.
My heart flutters, and I’m almost afraid to hope that maybe my daydreams will come true.
Chapter 34
Spider Sprite
Holly
The table is full. I fill the sixth seat, and I’ve never had so much fun at a family dinner. Everyone has been smiling, eating without abandon, and cracking jokes. My side hurts from laughing, and my stomach is ready to burst.
Mateo is right: his mom’s pupusas are the best ever.
“Who is ready for dessert?” Canela asks as she returns from the kitchen balancing a cheesecake in one hand and a bowl in the other.
Mateo leans toward me. “Have you ever had arroz con leche?”
I shake my head. “Nope. What is it?”
He smiles. “It’s basically rice pudding, but more delicious.”
My nose wrinkles. I’ve heard of worse-sounding things, but I can’t get the idea of a pot of rice dumped into a bowl of pudding out of my head. “That sounds gross.”
Mateo gasps dramatically. “Mi vida, how dare you insult the dessert of my people?” His wide smile puts me at ease. I might be able to get away without trying the rice pudding.
He leans over until his mouth hovers next to my ear. “You’re adorable when your nose wrinkles at something you don’t like.” He plants a quickkiss on my cheek before straightening in his chair.
“Gross,” Cruz exclaims from across the table. “Mateo kissed a girl.”
Mateo rolls his eyes. “I kissed my wife’s cheek. Haven’t you been kissing boys at college? I thought you were the one who was all about romance.”
Cruz dramatically shudders. “Yeah, but not when it’s my brother kissing someone.”
Mateo shakes his head. “I’m not just kissingsomeone, Cruz. I’m kissing mywife.Thank you very much.”
The way he said “my wife” has my heart pounding like a drum. I like it.
Cruz folds her arms and leans back in her chair. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Keep the PDAnotat the table.”
I watch the volley between the siblings until I notice Canela walking over to William. She plops herself down in his lap and kisses him. Noises of disgust erupt from the siblings, and I can’t help but giggle.
Honestly, it’s sweet to see them in love like this and messing with their children. It’s the type of relationship I always wished my parents had.
“Mom, Dad, can you stop, please?” Nadia whines. “You’re embarrassing.”
Canela waits a second before she pulls away from the kiss. She doesn’t move off William’s lap, but adjusts herself until she’s comfortable leaning into his chest. William wraps his arms around her, and they both look pleased as punch about the arrangement.
Canela turns her head toward Nadia. “It’s our job to teach you that you deserve romance and a spouse who you enjoy kissing all the time, no matter how old you are. We’re teaching by example. One day, you’ll appreciate our efforts.”
Nadia rolls her eyes and stabs her slice of cheesecake with her fork. “Whatever.”
