My gaze flitted to Angel, who approached with the trays of food. “He’s smart, funny, hard-working, and sweet. He makes me happy, and I’ll admithe’s incredibly good-looking,” I said, stifling a smile when he leaned over me, his vanilla musk filling my lungs.
Angel flexed his arms more than necessary as he set my plate down. “He must be pretty special to have caught the eye of a lovely girl like yourself.”
I crossed my ankles and smiled softly at him. “He is.”
Our eye contact lingered for a moment longer than appropriate.
“Are you sure you like this boyfriend?” Mom prodded.
Angel, Kat, and I burst out laughing.
“Yes,” I insisted, “I lo—”
Oh no. No confessions at the dinner table.
“I lucked out,” I coughed.
“So did he,” Angel said.
Hopefully, nobody noticed my ‘love’ slip-up amid the food arrival.
I quickly gulped down some water to prevent any more mishaps.
Angel peered at me. “You good?”
Mom cleared her throat and nodded to dismiss our server. “We’re all set, thank you.”
He wiped his palms on his slacks. “Great. I’ll check on you in a few minutes.” He bowed his head, then flew from the table.
“I think you’re making him nervous,” Mom said.
“I didn’t mean to,” I said through full cheeks.
This love stuff kept complicating things. Or maybe it was the theatrics of not introducing him yet.
Kat checked her phone and texted somebody. Probably her boyfriend. Should we have invited him to this? He was basically family now, the way him and Kat got on.
“How’s Victor?” I asked. “Are you going to bring him a piece of cake later?”
“He’s good. And yes, I’ll get him a slice, but I can buy it separate,” she told us.
“I don’t mind getting him a little something.” Mom’s voice pitched just enough to remind us this was a happy family bribe, but these desserts were eight dollars a slice.
“We could consider the dessert an early housewarming present,” Kat said offhandedly.
Mom inhaled deeply.
Big day for her kids.
I perked up to encourage the conversation. “Are you officially moving in together, then?”
Kat glanced away and played with the giant cross hanging from her neck. “Yes. This last week has really put things in perspective. We want to start and end each day together. Forever.”
Mom reached for Kat’s hand. “Forever? Are you engaged? Did you elope already?”
“Not yet.” My sister crudely showed off her bare ring finger. “But I do love accessories—and Victor said he’s picked out a nice one for me.”
“Really? Have you seen it?” I beamed.
