“I love you, Olívia. You’ll never doubt that again.”
We’re lying in my room, after two more rounds of makeup sex. That’s her term. I think she likes creating titles: celebration chocolate, makeup sex.
Although it was delicious and explosive, I don’t want to repeat the part where we’re separated.
Never again.
As if she can read my thoughts, she says, “It almost makes me want to fight again just to have you this wild.”
“You’re becoming quite a cheeky girl.”
“I like breaking down your barriers.”
I lift her face to look at me. “I have no barriers against you, Olívia. I never have.”
Understanding that the tone of the conversation has changed, she replies, “I was scared. I didn’t want to be a substitute for you or for Nina.”
“You won’t be a substitute. Not for me, because this is the first time I’ve fallen in love, and not for Nina because . . .” Damn, it’s not easy to say it.
“Why?”
“Because my daughter has never known what it’s like to have a mother.” I kiss her hair. “I know it’s a huge responsibility. You’re still so young and haven’t really lived. Maybe if I were a better man, I’d let you experience life, but I can’t stay away from you.”
“I don’t want to experience it. I thought I did, but that day I went out with Melissa—”
“And with Wolverine.” I can’t help the sarcastic comment, but she starts laughing, and I instantly relax.
“God, you’re so like Joaquín when you’re annoyed.”
I think that was a criticism, but I’ll let it slide.
“Anyway, when I went out with them, I felt out of place, you know? Dancing was fun, but after half an hour, I was already eager to leave.”
“Teach me.”
“What?”
“To relax. To live life. I’ve never known how to do that.”
She looks at me as if she expects me to smile, as if it’s a joke, but quickly realizes I’m serious. “We’ll learn together.”
“Is what you said true? Are you sure about what you feel?”
“About loving you, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“I think I fell in love with you as soon as we started spending time together. First, it was physical attraction. You’re very handsome.” She smiles and looks away. “But then it was everything about you. Your character, the way you love and care for Nina, how you insist on being with family, but mainly, how you brought me into your life even without being sure what kind of person I was. You’ve done more for me than my own blood, besides giving me the opportunity to know and love my only relative . . . Valentina.”
I know it’s crazy, but even trying to correct the transgressions of my late wife against Olívia, I still feel guilty for Layla’s actions.
“The only good thing that came out of discovering who my biological mother was, and consequently, my twin sister, is that now I’ll know the exact day I was born. When was Layla’s birthday?”
God, she was even deprived of that—not knowing her own birthday!
“June fifth,” I reply, feeling my throat tighten. “Your birthday is June fifth.”
“Wow, I always thought I was born in May. Anyway, I was partly right. I’m a Gemini,” she continues, not realizing how moved I am by her kindness and ability to see the positive side of everything.
