Luisa—
Blue has been busy with the club, and it’s another week before he can see me again. We’ve planned it for tonight, and I’m so ready to see him again after everything he told me on the ride we took.
I don’t know what’s going to happen with him and his club, and whether he’s still planning to leave Las Cruces or if his feelings for me have changed that. I was afraid to push the issue the last time we were together.
Just finding out he felt the same way was enough.
It was a shock, to be honest, but now I’m ready to tell him how I feel. Tonight’s the night, and I want it to be special.
Carmen is in the car with me, and I pull into a spot on Main Street in front of the lingerie store where she bought me my first bottle of perfume for my birthday.
Her eyes shift to it and widen. “Are you going lingerie shopping? Little innocent Luisa?”
“I’m not so innocent anymore, and we both know it.”
“Oh, I’m so excited. This is going to be so much fun. Come on.” She’s beaming and throws her door open.
As we flip through the garments, she leans close.
“So? What’s changed? You look so happy.”
“Blue told me this isn’t just us having fun anymore. He told me he cares about me.”
“Did he use the L word?”
“No, but he took me for a ride on his motorcycle.” I tell her about the boots and jeans and everything we talked about on the mountain.
Her mouth drops open. “He’s going to talk to your father?”
“Well, yes, but not yet. We’re going to keep it a secret for a while longer.”
She looks truly worried.
“What is it?” I ask.
“What about Mateo? You said he came for dinner on Saturday. You said he plans to propose soon.”
“When he’s through with school, and when things are more settled. It won’t be anytime soon.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes, he told me so. Aren’t you happy for me, Carmen?”
“I’m so happy for you; it’s just, things with you and Blue are still so new. You have to be sure, Luisa. Please.”
“I’m sure.”
“I don’t want you to throw away a chance with Mateo if things don’t work out with Blue. I mean, he’s a biker. I thought you were just having fun, but now it sounds like you want him for your husband. What kind of life could he give you? I just want you to be happy.”
“Iamhappy. Please don’t ruin this for me. I don’t know what the future holds, but right now he’s the one who makes me excited to get up every morning. Please be happy for me.”
“I am. Okay, let’s find you something to leave him speechless.”
We search through the racks, and everything is either too young, too ridiculous, or too over-the-top.
“How about this?” Carmen says, holding up a garment with more straps than fabric.
“Uh, no.”
