“Where is everyone?” he asked.
His mother’s table was always full and as she knew Ramon was coming over, he had expected her to invite his brother and sister, their children, plus a handful of cousins. He’d never known their dining room to be so devoid of people.
“You told us you were bringing someone to dinner,” his mother said.
Ramon blinked. “Right. I would have thought you’d use that as an excuse to throw a party.”
She shared a glance with her husband then met Ramon’s gaze again. “You were secretive, so we think you were bringing a man to dinner and going to tell us you’re gay. I welcome my new son, of course, but we didn’t think you want an audience for that if you so secretive about it.”
“Gay?” Ramon spluttered. “Whatever made you think that?”
His mother shrugged. “You never bring a woman home to meet your mama.” Her smile got impossibly huge. “Now you can give me lots of grandbabies.”
His mother.
Ramon shook his head, exasperated, but when he turned to look at his mate, her shoulders were shaking with silent laughter, and her hand was covering what he was certain was a broad grin. He was pleased she saw the humor in the situation. He couldn’t help it, he threw his head back and joined her, laughing long and hard.
Then they sat down and ate dinner. It was divine.
Tamales really were his favorite meal.
Epilogue
Saffy
It had been nearly two weeks since her brother and his friends had kidnapped her and during that time, Saffy hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him or her father. Her mom had called her a couple of times, and she had spoken to her sister often. She knew things couldn’t go back to the way they were, not after everything that had happened between them, but she was grateful that at least her mother wasn’t hanging up on her now and she was finally allowed to speak to her sister.
Her mom had said she was welcome in their home again, and said that her father missed her, but he had yet to talk to her on the phone himself. So, it had come as a huge shock when her mom called to say her father wanted her to come to dinner. Not only that, he wanted her to invite Ramon, and Ramon’s parents, too. Saffy had thought hell would freeze over before her father ever sat down to eat with Miguels.
Ramon ducked his head into the bathroom. “You ready?” he asked. “My parents will be here any minute.”
Her eyes widened.
“Oh my God, really? I haven’t done my makeup.”
Ramon grinned. “Would it help if I said you’re beautiful as you are?”
She shook her head. “Not really, no.”
He let out a throaty chuckle. “Then you have…” He checked his watch. “Four minutes and counting to put it on. Mama insists on being punctual.”
Saffy let out a little scream then all but pushed Ramon out of the door so that she could put the four minutes to good use. She touched her face where the bruises had been. They had long since healed, but the memory of them and of that day lingered and she wasn’t looking forward to seeing her brother again at dinner. If she was being honest with herself, she probably wouldn’t have cared if she never saw him again. Mason had scared her, probably even more than his friends had for the very reason that he was her brother, and family were supposed to protect one another.
She looked down at her makeup bag and sighed. There wasn’t a lot she could do in under four minutes, so she just pulled out her mascara, brushed a little through her lashes then added some clear lip gloss. That would have to do. A horn honked outside just as she was walking into the living room.
Ramon leaned in and gave her a peck on the lips. “You ready to do this?”
She shrugged. “As I’ll ever be.”
“Whatever happens, we’ll get through it together, okay?” Ramon said, repeating the words she’d said to him at his parents’ house back to her.
She smiled at him. “I don’t doubt it for a second.”
His eyes got soft then, and he leaned in and gave her another kiss.
She grabbed her purse then they headed out to the car. Ramon’s mother got out and greeted her by giving her a big kiss on the lips again then pulled Ramon down for more of the same treatment. At first, Saffy had been startled by how affectionate Ramon’s mom was to someone she didn’t know, but she had quickly got used to it and now, it didn’t bother her in the least. His family really had accepted her into their heart, as if she’d been a part of it her whole life. They pulled away from the curb and though Ramon’s mother kept up a constant stream of conversation, Saffy got more and more nervous the nearer they got to her house.
As if he could sense the change in her, Ramon reached across the seat and took hold of her hand. It calmed her instantly, and she offered him a grateful smile that fluttered over her lips like an anxious sparrow. He squeezed her hand and her breath caught. She couldn’t believe how much this man had come to mean to her in such a short space of time. It was as if her entire world centered around him now. That should have terrified her, but it didn’t. Being with Ramon made her feel safe and protected and cherished—exactly how a mate was supposed to make their other half feel. Hearts and flowers. Romance. It was what she’d always dreamed, and so, so much more.
