“My mom was an only child and her parents passed away before Nick or I were born. So I guess that’s how that goes.” I shrug, having come to terms with it long ago.
Her brows furrow. “Okay,” she says tentatively.
“Drop it, Val,” Luke says from above me, and I swat his hand on my stomach, warning him to cut it out.
She looks back up at him but rolls her eyes as she carries on. “I’m sorry, and please forgive me if this is intrusive, but did your grandparents not have siblings? Were there no, I don’t know, family friends? Neighbors? The milk man who could potentially be your daddy and not that raggedy ass George Stonehaven guy?”
I bark out a laugh that has me slapping a hand over my mouth.
“Jesus fucking Christ, sis,” Luke bemoans above me.
“What? A girl can dream, can’t she?” she says far too innocently.
“Honestly? I wouldn’t know. She died when I was a baby and Nick was eleven. Nick doesn’t remember much from that time, since we lived in London before we were sent off to Connecticut to live at a boarding school, and whatever family connections we had would be in the Dominican Republic. It’s not like there was social media back then, so whoever was in my mom’s life would be hard to track down.”
Valentina looks stricken by the information. “So growing up, there was no one from your mom’s side?”
I muster up a pathetic smile. “I was lucky to have really nice Latina nannies. I’ve heard horror stories, so I guess I really can’t complain.”
She bites on her thumbnail, her mind seeming to run a mile a minute. “Okay, so…”
“Val,” Luke warns.
“Hush. I’m having this conversation with Daisy, and you can try to talk her out of it during your pillow talk, but not now.” He groans and she smiles victoriously. “Would you be okay if I poked around and looked into your mom’s side of the family in the Dominican Republic? My whole family lives on the island, and trust me, we know a lot of people. Maybe it’s a long shot, but who knows? Maybe I can find a long-lost cousin or high school friend.”
My breath catches in my chest at the thought of meeting someone who knew my mother. Someone who could tell me about her. Nick has done his best over the years to give me as many details about her as possible, but he was only a child himself, and I worry that his memories are influenced by what he wants me to hear. “I-I would love that. You would do that for me?”
Her eyes soften as she places a hand over the one I have on Luke’s arm. “Of course I would. Text me her full name and the address of the home where she grew up and I’ll take it from there.” She looks up at Luke, no playful defiance in her eyes this time. “I’d do anything for my family. You’re stuck with me now.”
I know she didn’t mean to give me a gut punch, but that’s exactly what it feels like. Like when Isabella and Luisa took me in as one of their own. That feeling of being chosen and accepted with no hidden agenda or transactional relationship in sight.
“I swear to God, Val. That was sweet as shit, but if you make Daisy cry at her own housewarming party…”
Valentina’s eyes shimmer with mischief, and now it’s my turn to fix her with a serious glare, which she responds to with an eye roll that is usually reserved for her brother.
Guess we really are family now.
“Oh, don’t worry. I promise not to make her cry at her ownhousewarming, brother. So chill out. Relax and kick your feet up or something.”
“Weren’t you on your way to the bodega?” I shoot her another widened glance, and she must decide to take pity on me, because she grabs her phone, purse, and the spare keys I gave her off the counter and walks toward the front door.
“Toodaloo. Try not to miss me too much while I’m gone, losers.”
forty-one
Daisy’s acting off.
And it’s not because of her ex. I’ve made sure to let her know she can always talk to me about him without worrying about how I may feel or react. And I’m proud of myself for not coming out of my skin every time I’m reminded that the fucker is walking around going unchecked by me.
For now.
No, something else is going on with Daisy. But she seems to be in a great mood, enjoying having a home filled with the people who truly love and care about her.
“Man, you’ve got it bad.” Mateo chuckles beside me, handing me a cold beer.
I don’t bother taking my eyes off her as she chats with the moms at the dining table, soaking up their attention like a sponge. “Yeah. And?”
He taps the neck of his beer with mine, forcing me to look his way, worried he’ll spill it on Daisy’s new carpet. “Trust me, I get it. Every morning I wake up with the desire to haul Isabella’s ass to the courthouse, but she wants her small ceremony in La Romana, at Altos de Chavón, and I can’t deny her anything she asks for.” He sighs as he looks off to the side, watching Isa and his daughter Anna working hard at making friendship bracelets.
