“She was; still is. She remarried twenty years ago to a great guy and she’s happy. She lives up near Dina so she can be an active grandparent. Took me longer than it should have to appreciate her sacrifices and to realize I hadn’t needed a father. If he’d stayed in our lives, Dina and I probably wouldn’t be the people we are today.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Your mother would’ve still found a way to ingrain the right values into your character.”
I nod, knowing she’s probably right. “For a long time, I wondered if I shied away from any serious relationships because I didn’t want to be like my dad. Wasn’t sure I was father material.”
“Xander…”
“But I realized that was horse shit.” I smile when she laughs. “I simply hadn’t found the woman I could see sharing that kind of life with. From time to time, I think about what my life would be like if I’d made different choices, but I’ve been fortunate and I’ve been happy.” I cup her face, focusing on her. “Until yesterday, I was content. But I also realize I was just waiting for you, and I no longer want to settle with content. I want more.”
“Xander,” she whispers, her eyes growing misty.
I lean down to kiss her again, savoring her, showing her, this is more than a passing fling for me. “It’s never too late.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“And don’t think I’m looking to erase what you had with your husband. I’m not looking to be his replacement. I’m looking to be your next chapter;ournext chapter.”
“I know. All our choices have led us on the path we’re meant to be on. That’s something I firmly believe. I had a good life with Stuart, and it took a little time for me to realizemylife wasn’t over after his passing.” She places her palm on my cheek. “Nothing says we can’t start again and have something with each other.”
I nod and start to take her mouth again when I hear laughter that sounds like Rafe’s. I raise my brow and peer around the edge of the umbrella to see Rafe and Stacy kneeling in the sand, smiling at one another. Stacy then grabs Rafe’s shirt and hauls him to her for some serious kissing. Surprised at first, Rafe then gets with it, framing her face and reciprocating.
Michelle finally manages to turn and see what’s taking place. Her eyes widen but she’s smiling. “Well, well,” she says, causingthe pair to spring apart. “Oh, no need to stop on our account.” Michelle extracts herself from my lap and we both join Rafe and Stacy in the sun as they stand.
“Oh, no, sweetheart, no running from me now,” Rafe says, snagging ahold of Stacy’s hand to keep her by his side. She merely gives him a shy smile before looking to Michelle.
I take notice of their hands, which looked stained with red and blue coloring, along with Stacy’s mussed hair.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
Rafe grins. “Oh, yeah. You happen to be looking at one badasschicahere.” He lifts their joined hands to kiss the top of Stacy’s.
“What’s going on?” Michelle asks.
“Had a run-in with Ted,” Stacy says.
Michelle tenses. “What? Where? What happened?”
“Relax,Mamá, your girl handled herself spectacularly.” Rafe beams with obvious pride.
“Ted was on the beach,” Stacy says, waving her hand behind her. “Seems he didn’t like seeing me with Rafe. Wanted to know what he was doing with his wife. Can you believe that?”
“Stacy promptly put him in his place. Specifically, when he tried to put his hands on her, she put him on his ass before I could even play the hero.” Stacy looks up at him with cute puppy-dog eyes. “Any way, I don’t think thatpequeña perrawill be bothering her anymore.”
When Michelle looks to me, questioning what Rafe said, I supply with my limited Spanish skills. “Called the ex a little bitch.”
Michelle and Stacy sputter with laughter as Stacy explains. “Because that’s what Ted called me after I knocked him down, and Rafe proceeded to make sure he wasn’t able to retaliate by stomping on his ankle.”
“I didn’t stomp,” Rafe says. “I drove his ankle into the sand with my subtle pressure.”
“That you did.”
As they stare at one another like kids with their first crush, I look down at Michelle and smile.
“Would you mind taking me home so I can get cleaned up before the show?” Stacy asks of Rafe.
“Happy to.” He places a chaste kiss on her lips before the two of them look at me and Michelle. “Xander’s got my number. I’ll take good care of her.
Michelle simply nods.
