“I’m a little overdressed,” she whispered, cringing as she handed me her coat. “I have fleece boots in my bag and can’t wait to chuck these damn stilettos.”
“Well,” I pulled her flush to me, her eyes wide but sparkling with excitement. “I hate the thought of you in pain, but can you wear them for just a little while longer?” My gaze swept up and down her perfect body. “They’re inspiring.”
“Really?” She wrapped her arms around my waist, still shivering from the blustery weather outside. “Is Conquista going to have a new spiky shoe weapon?”
“Hmm, that’s a good idea, but no.” I kissed her cheek and nuzzled her neck. “I was thinking more of what we could do back at my apartment with you in those heels. They wouldn’t hurt since you’d be on your back,” I whispered before giving that sensitive patch of skin behind her ear a quick bite.
“Oh my God, stop it!” She pushed against my chest and dropped her head into her hands. “Don’t turn me on here, please.”
“Eye for an eye, sweetheart.” I brushed the hair off of her shoulder. “You’re so gorgeous tonight, it actually hurts.”
That was no exaggeration. The way she looked made my chest ache.
“The hostess always has to dress up. I can’t lead customers to a table at Blystone in my Wonder Woman T-shirts and jeans.”
“I’d follow you anywhere in anything.” I grabbed her hands and entwined our fingers. “Thank you for coming, tonight.”
“I’m excited to be here.” Her eyes darted from mine for a moment, a bashful smile ghosting her lips. “It means a lot to me that you asked.”
“Youmean a lot to me, never forget that, okay?”
My eyes clenched shut at Mari’s audible sigh.
“I apologize. I told them to calm down, but they can’t help themselves.”
Victoria giggled into my chest.
“Dinner’s ready,” my aunt called to us. When I turned to where they stood next to the dining room table, they looked between us with the same wistful smile.
“This all looks amazing, Sofia. Thank you for having me.”
“We were so excited to meet you!” Mari answered for her as she slid into a seat across from Victoria and me at the table. “Anthony told us you’re studying to be a writer at NYU.”
“Yes. Technically, it’s my minor for now, but I’m hoping to get into the Creative Writing graduate program.”
“That’s exciting!” Sofia gasped as she piled food onto Victoria’s plate. “And so nice that you help your parents while you study.”
“I only help my mother out if she’s in a bind like today. But I’ve worked at the shop since I was sixteen.”
“I told Anthony I had a good feeling about Falco’s when he told us about the interview, and I was right.” Mari winked at me, and I swallowed a brick along with a mouthful of rice. It didn’t dawn on me that Mari orTitiSofia might slip about where I was before Falco’s, and it was too late to warn them not to.
“He is our most talented mechanic for sure. My father can’t say enough about him.” Victoria turned to beam at me.
“He was always so talented,”TitiSofia mused. “Always drawing on something. Now he draws on his skin.” Her lips pursed as she clicked her tongue against her teeth.
“I don’t give myself tattoos. I draw them, and someone else inks them on. I’m notthattalented.”
“I didn’t know you designed your own tattoos.” Victoria gaped at me. “Such a showoff.” She shot Mari a smirk and my aunt smiled wide.
I’d called it, they were both head over heels for her already. Loving this girl was effortless.
“I’m glad we got to meet you before we left for Puerto Rico.” Mari squeezed Victoria’s arm. “We stayed home last year, but that’s our usual holiday plan. Nothing is like Christmas in Puerto Rico.”
My stomach flopped again, hoping they wouldn’t say why they stayed home last Christmas. I had just gotten out of jail and they refused to let me spend my first Christmas home by myself. I pulled at my collar for air, hoping tonight wouldn’t lead down the path I’d been avoiding for months.
“My mother’s business partner is from Puerto Rico and talks about Christmas there every year.Parrandasgoing from house to house singing songs and drinkingcoquitosounds a lot more fun than caroling here. Not that anyone I know really does that.” Victoria’s smile faded when she met my eyes. “Hey, are you okay?” She rubbed my back, her brows pinched in concern.
I nodded, sensing Mari andTitiSofia’s eyes boring into me from across the table.
