“It was amazing,” she replied. She sank into the car seat, savoring the blissful feeling during the ride back.
The rest of the evening was surprisingly relaxing, too, all things considered. Cierra collected the remaining goods and arranged a platter of crudités and sandwiches for the family, even though they barely touched it. Late in the evening, they all convened in one of the sitting rooms, having a nightcap and enjoying the cool summer evening.
“So, how was that bookstore?” Erik asked. Nadine was drifting off to sleep, neatly folded into the nook of his arm and chest. Elliot and Zelda were in a similar position, but in the reverse. Even though Elliot was a good four inches taller than hiswife and was by no means a small man, he looked like a kid who had spent an entire day at an amusement park only to crash, cuddled next to his mom.
“It’s . . . hard to put into words. It made me feel like I was in a bookstore in Narnia or something.”
“Maybe Nadine and I will check it out before the event tomorrow.”
“Maybe I should go. Clear my head a bit,” Zelda said. Cierra had nearly forgotten she was there, temporarily back in the store with its massive tree and glass walls.
“I’d second that,” Elliot mumbled. Zelda smiled and ruffled his hair. “Let’s go to sleep, hun,” he said as he rose, prompting the others to do the same.
The journey (along with the palomas and mezcal) sent everyone, Cierra included, to bed early. She needed all her energy for the following day.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE MAIN EVENT of the weekend was being held in the villa, a fitting location, given the stunning views of the courtyard with its magenta hibiscus plants, playful hummingbirds, and fountains. Sincha had sent nearly one hundred invites, and Zelda was happily stressed that the RSVP list far exceeded expectations. While it was fantastic optics for Sincha’s new expansion, it prompted Cierra into a frenzy to ensure everything would be ready for the guests’ arrival later in the afternoon.
Once she got going in the villa’s kitchen, time flew by. At one point, Erik had offered to assist and, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work, Cierra had taken it. Similar to his housing event, he was a massive help, and obviously loved being a part of the action. He joked around with some of the outside caterers and event coordinators and added a lighthearted feel to what was usually a stressful and serious process.
In the middle of plating, with the more laborious prep work out of way, Cierra noticed that Erik had now been in the kitchen with her the past three hours.
“Thanks for all your help, by the way. But, really, you can leave whenever you want. I don’t want you feeling like you have to be here or anything. It was nice of Nadine to lend you for the afternoon. Is she liking the trip?”
“No worries. This is fun for me, really. And yeah, I think so. Hope so, I guess.”
“How long have you two been dating again? Last time you mentioned her, I hadn’t realized you were together.”
“I mean, I’m not sure if we’re ‘together’ together, you know?”
Cierra scrunched her face, “Uh, she’s on vacation with you and your family? What else would it be?”
He laughed nervously. “That’s the thing, though. I didn’t really want to invite her, she kind of invited herself and I didn’t know how to say no.”
“Wait, what?”
“But then, when I asked Randy about it, he said it would be a good way to determine if we were compatible. Like, if the trip went well, then that meant we should take our relationship to the next level.”
At this, Cierra couldn’t help but start laughing.
“Oh, God. What is it?” Erik asked with concern. “Was that bad advice? Did I do something stupid?” Without saying yes or no, Cierra just looked at him with a pitying smile. “Say something!” Erik begged.
“I’m not going to say it’s the worst advice I’ve ever heard, but, it’s up there.”
Erik just shook his head. “I knew it. I knew it was too soon.”
“I mean, who knows. Maybe he has a point. Are you having a good trip?”
“I’m definitely getting to know her better.” He didn’t seem thrilled.
“Is that why you’re hiding in the kitchen? You’d rather peel plantain and hang out with the chef?”
“When you say it like that”—Erik winced—“it does sound incriminating. But I guess it would only be a problem if said chef didn’t want me around.”
“I like the company,” Cierra replied. “As long as you earn your keep.”
“I’m willing to work for it.”
