“She was today,” Stone said.
Rafael looked up at him long enough to see if he was serious before he returned his gaze to Mama. Dominic was feeding her one of the appetizers. With his fingers. They were practically in her mouth. “Why is he feeding her?”
“You know why. He’s flirting with her. The old ‘let me feed her’ technique.” Pepper’s eyes widened before she let out a giggle. “He’s going in again. This time it’s one of thosebaby quiches.”
Rafael turned away, too disgusted to continue watching this gorilla with his mama.
“Baby quiche?” Lisa asked. “Remember that night you stole all those from the party and then insisted they were mini pies?”
His stomach turned. “I remember.” Quiches were their thing, not Mama’s and the white-haired gorilla. Why would they make those damn quiches small enough that a person could pop them in their mouths or be fed one of them with no trouble?
“Is he a good guy?” Stone asked.
“He is,” Lisa said. “The sweetest. He loved my aunt with all his heart.”
“So he’s the marrying type,” Pepper said with a gleeful lilt at the end of the sentence. “Excellent.”
“What are you talking about?” Rafael asked. “Mama is not getting married. She can’t. I just got her where I want her.”
“She looks beautiful,” Lisa said, obviously not listening to him. “And young.”
He narrowed his eyes to fully take in Mama. She’d done something to her hair. It was all smooth and arranged in a series of bumps on her head that reminded him of a golden-era movie actress. Her dress was a red sheath that flattered her petite figure, and tall shoes made her legs look long. In addition, she was wearing more makeup than usual. “What’s up with her hair and makeup?”
“She had it done, remember?” Lisa said. “I’ve never seen her look better.”
“It’s the sparkle in her eyes,” Pepper said.
From across the room Mama laughed as Dominic dabbed something from her chin with his napkin.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” Rafael said.
“Same,” Stone said.
“I think it’s sweet,” Lisa said. “And romantic.”
Typical Lisa.
Pepper bounced on her toes. “What if they fell in love?” Shetugged on the lapel of Stone’s jacket. “Baby, it’s the Lake House doing its magic.”
“Magic and Mama do not go together,” Rafael said. “Unless it’s dispelling an imaginary curse.”
“Agree one hundred percent,” Stone said. “Mama Soto is too perfect for some charismatic old guy who will probably break her heart.”
“He’s my uncle,” Lisa said. “And a wonderful guy.”
“Rich, too,” Pepper said. “And so dreamy. I mean, for an older guy.”
“More like a nightmare,” Rafael said. “It’s like King Kong shows up at my wedding and steals Mama.”
Lisa and Pepper laughed.Athim, notwithhim.
“Rafael, you wouldn’t deny your mother a chance at happiness, would you?” Lisa asked. “What if she could have what we have?”
“Clearly you think I’m a better person than I really am,” Rafael said. “Because I want Mama with us, where I can keep an eye on her.”
“Maybe you two should have a baby right away,” Pepper said. “Rafael clearly needs someone to mother-hen over.”
Despite the tightness in his chest, Rafael laughed. Leave it to Pepper to bring him down a notch.
