“Wow. If that’s all it takes, I’ll make lots more,” Gabby said, leaning back in her chair with a beam.
“Don’t push it,” Gleide replies, narrowing her eyes as she gathers the dishes.
With both of them occupied in the kitchen, I take my opportunity to quickly address Gabby.
“Gabby, I’m going to need your help later today,” I say quietly, leaning toward her. “Can you meet me around three-thirty atPraia de Piedade? I’ve got a plan, and I don’t think I can pull it off alone.”
She glances at me, and then at Marc, who gives her a decisive nod.
“I’ll be there,” she says. “You just tell me what I need to bring and do.”
A grin spreads across my face, slow and satisfied. I outline the plan, give her the location details, and feel a flicker of nerves flare at the edges of excitement. Tonight’s going to be big. I hope she likes it. I haven’t known her long… but somehow, it already feels like I have.
Lizzie and Gleide return, and we wrap up lunch.
I scoot my chair back, getting antsy for the evening to come. I just want to get it all ready.
“Marc, Gleide,” I say, standing and straightening my shirt, “thank you so much for hosting me. Lunch was amazing. Ilook forward to seeing you again soon, but I’ve got some early-afternoon plans I need to get moving on.”
Lizzie’s face drops in disappointment. I step closer before she can say anything. “Lizzie, would you mind walking me out?”
She rises from her chair, her eyes watching me as we pass out of earshot of her family.
“I’m hoping to see you this evening, if that’s okay?” I asked, keeping my tone light but steady.
A grin splits her face, lighting her whole expression. “That would be wonderful. I’d love to see you. Where should I meet you?”
“I’ll come back and pick you up. Five o’clock work for you?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.” She smiles that big, beautiful smile again and walks me to the door. Her family wave me off, laughter and goodbye hugs filling the air as I make my way back to my car.
Now, it’s just me and the clock. I have to stop by the store, get everything ready, double-check every detail, pray over tonight, and keep my nerves from running away with me.
Because everything’s about to change.
And hopefully… for the good.
20
Lizzie
It’s almost five o’clock, and I’ve changed into my favorite dress I bought this summer. It’s a cream maxi with a hem of yellow and green and delicate green spaghetti straps. The rest of the dress is a joyful chaos of prints—palm trees, tropical fruits, seashells, little aquatic animals scattered everywhere. It feels like wearing a love letter to Brazil.
I slide on a pair of sandals that match the colors perfectly and grab my favorite red lipstick. The mirror by the front door catches me mid-swipe, and I pause for just a second to really look.
There’s something about a good outfit and a bold lipstick that makes a girl feel confident. Like you’re stepping into the evening already ready for whatever it holds.
Everyone else is out, so the house is quiet—just the faint hum of the fan and the distant sound of birds settling for the evening. I finish my lipstick right as the doorbell rings.
My stomach flips.
I unlock the door, grab the handle, and pull it open to reveal Nate standing there in a pale blue linen co-ord with boat shoes.
If I thought cream looked good on him… blue is right up there with it. Maybe even higher.
His skin is lightly tanned, and the pale blue contrasts in a way that makes my brain short-circuit slightly.
“Hi, Nate,” I breathe out, probably a little softer than intended.
