“What test?” her father asks, then his head swivels to his daughter as the meaning of my words hit him. “Not you…”
“No, Daddy. Not me. Daddy, go inside. Please. I swear I’m not going anywhere with him.”
Finally, the shotgun that’s been aimed at my chest lowers. “You got two minutes. And I’m watchin’ from the window.”
He goes through the door, but true to his word, he peers out the front window.
Carmen turns back to me.
“Is it true?” I bite out.
She nods.
I pace and drag a hand through my hair. “She won’t take my calls, and she won’t respond to my texts. Did she block me?”
“I don’t think Luisa would have blocked you, but her cousin, Alba, might have gotten a hold of her phone and done it. Or maybe Ramona.”
I pause and stare at her. “The night of the fire, she said she had something to tell me, but then I saw the ring on her finger.”
“She was going to tell you.”
“I don’t get it. Why did she run that night? Why is she blowing me off? Does she love Mateo?”
Carmen shakes her head, and tears form in her eyes. “No. It’s you she loves.”
“Then why the fuck is she doing this? Why would she marry Mateo?”
“Because you never told her you loved her.”
Her words suck the anger right out of me. “Look, I may not have said it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel it.”
“How is she supposed to know that?”
“I never thought this arranged marriage thing was real.”
“It’s real.”
“Why would she go through with it?”
“Because she has a baby to think about, and she doesn’t think you’re looking for a life that includes a wife and kid.”
“She didn’t even give me a chance to find that out. Maybe I am.”
Carmen throws her hip out and folds her arms. “Are you?”
“Look, I need to talk to her. That baby is mine.”
“Well, at least you admit that much.” There’s an edge to her voice like I’m the enemy and she’s #teamluisa.
I figure I’ve gotten as much info as she’s going to share.
“Would you do one thing for me?”
“Depends on what it is.” She lifts a brow.
“Ask her to call me. Please.”
Carmen stares out at the horizon. “I can’t promise she’ll listen.”
