I take a small step back, fiddling with my shawl as I look away, making sure not to get too comfortable with this moment. “But don’t think this is some big thing between us,” I add with a shrug, my voice light but guarded. “We’ll call it a truce. For now.”
Valentina’s eyes flicker with something I can’t quite place, but she just nods. “A truce it is,” she says, a faint smile tugging at her lips. I force a small smile back and turn toward the dishes, the moment passing, though the weight of it still hangs in the air.
While Valentina washes the dishes, I quickly dry them and put them away. It’s incredible how quickly one can move when they have someone helping. I wonder if my time prepping in the morning at La Mariposa would be cut in half if I just scheduled Faye to help me.
“So, why are you so excited about this hike?” Valentina asks, breaking the long silence as we meditatively clean the kitchen.
“I’ve always loved the idea of camp. Hiking, getting outside, doing something completely different—it’s kind of like my childhood dream coming true. I know Sofia used to come here a lot, and I always wanted to join her, but I never got the chance.”
I glance out the window at the foliage blooming in the mountains, a smile tugging at my lips. “There’s something about being out here, you know? It feels like an adventure. I think it all started with watchingThe Parent Trapwhen I was younger. I became obsessed with all the fun activities—like fencing, the campfires, the freedom. I guess this hike is my way of finally living a piece of that.”
Valentina chuckles softly. “Well, I don’t think there’s fencing, but you’ll definitely get some adventure. Maybe even a littleParent Trapmagic.”
I snort. “Yeah, I just need to find some Oreos and peanut butter to bring it all together.”
“Is that from the movie?” Valentina asks.
“Of course it is. Don’t you remember watching it?”
She shakes her head.
“We watched it when we were kids. I remember it vividly. You and Sofia were on the bed, and Maria and I were lying on the floor on a bunch of blankets and pillows. Tía Rosita ordered pizza, and we ate it straight from the box.”
Valentina tilts her head, thinking. “You know, that does sound kind of familiar.”
“It was one of those nights, you know? When we all hung out together, no drama. Just us, the movie, and way too much pizza.” I smile, thinking about how easy everything felt back then. “You used to always make fun of the way they ate Oreos with peanut butter in the movie. You said it was disgusting.”
Valentina puts a hand to her chin, her eyes softening as if the memory is slowly coming back. “I guess I did say that, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did. But you still tried it. You always did stuff like that—mock it, but then dive in anyway. That’s what made it fun.”
“Well, it must not have been that great if I can’t even remember it,” she says, though her tone lacks its usual edge.
I chuckle. “You were too busy trying to be cool to care about a camp movie.”
She smiles at that, and for a moment, I see a flicker of the girl she used to be. The one I used to laugh with, back when things were simple.
“It’s a great film about long-lost sisters and family and falling in love. What do you know about romance anyways?” I take a handful of bubbles created by the dish soap and blow it in her face. Valentina laughs as she wipes it away, her eyes beaming.
“Whatever you say, Isa,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“You know, I don’t need to help you.” I throw the towel down abruptly. “I can leave you to your mess.”
“No, don’t leave!” Valentina says in between giggles.
“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t,” I tease, feeling a strange sense of warmth creeping up my neck.
She wipes some sweat off her forehead with her shirt, and the movement sends a jolt through me. Maybe it’s the way her muscles flex, or the small veins on her forearm exposed by her rolled-up sleeve. My eyes linger longer than I’d like to admit.
“Well”—she grins, her voice softer this time—“I like your company.”
Her words hang in the air, and suddenly the room feels smaller. I try to laugh it off, but something about the way she says it—so sincere, almost intimate—makes my heart skip. I look away quickly, hoping she doesn’t notice the heat rising in my cheeks.
Chapter Nine
I didn’t mean to walk into the dinner with Valentina, and it feels like everyone’s eyes are on us. I clear my throat lightly to try and swallow the lump developing. I almost regret staying behind to help her clean. I would have had more time to mingle and find my seat. Now it looks like I’m making some grand entrance with Valentina. As if we’re some power couple. Oh God.
“You’ve got this,” Valentina whispers. “Just pretend you’re a detective on a secret mission to uncover the truth. Like a regular Nancy Drew.”
