He’s had a hard time adjusting to Juliette “taking Camila’s spot,” so to speak, so maybe it’s hard to watch.
Juliette wipes her tears. “Okay, distract me. Are you working on any fun projects, Maddie? I find your job so interesting. When I’m at Leo’s and Nate’s, I can stare at their blueprints for hours.”
“Leo and I are on a huge project together that I’m beyond grateful to be included in. It will be my first New York City skyscraper. It’s literally a dream come true.”
“I love that. Is it an already existing building?”
“No.” I beam. “Ground up. I still can’t get over it. You should see the initial designers, it’s like nothing you’ve seen here in the city.”
Leo interrupts. “She’s being modest. Maddie is going to win us awards for the building’s sustainability.” He smiles across the table. “You were a great addition to the team.”
“Thank you.” My face heats from all eyes on me, then I pause to think before asking, “You know, there’s something I’ve always wondered. Why M-Squared? Who picked the name?”
“Well, the M stands for Morales.” Nate pauses, looking around at all his brothers. “And…there are four of us. So it’s squared.”
“That’s…yeah, you are all Morales’s at your core, aren’t you?” I glance at Harrison, then Nate, and try not to get emotional again. “Rosa and Javier must have loved that.”
Leo nods. “Dad even shed a tear.”
I can imagine why.
I turn my focus back on Juliette and listen as she tells me about the new dance studio she’s opening, Petit Papillons School of Dance,which will be opening next year after she takes maternity leave.
Juliette was a well-known prima ballerina who suffered a serious injury in a car accident. When her career ended, she helped her mom run their family bakery, which now sounds like they are both retiring from that dream.
A couple of hours later, we’re finally having dessert, and it’s been a great night.
“I’m glad I like you,” I joke, feeling completely comfortable with Juliette. “Leo and Seb are probably never settling down; we could be the only two in the family.”
She lowers her voice. “Seb and I didn’t start on the right foot?—”
“I know, I’m sorry. My brother told me.”
“I don’t blame him. At all. He’s just misunderstood…but I think he would be an amazing husband. You should see him with Claudina, he’s born to be a dad.”
“Maybe one day. You never know.”
Juliette reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I know it’s a year later, but I want to apologize for you not being invited to the wedding. Had I known the full story, I would have offered an invite.”
“I completely get it. If I came, there would have been drama between Nate and me.”
At the time, I was devastated. It felt like my family was pushing me away. Even though I wasn’t as close to Harrison anymore, I still felt betrayed.
Now, looking back, I know they were protecting their peace.
“Well, you’ll be there for the birth of our baby. That’s probably more important anyway.”
I glance down at her stomach and hold out my hand. “May I?”
She gestures enthusiastically. “Be my guest.”
Like a paid actor, the baby kicks, and my eyes explode with excitement. We awe and coo over the baby as it puts on a show.
“Do you have names picked out?” I ask.
“We are torn on boy names, but…” She leans in close, whispering, “If it’s a girl, it’s either Colette or Chloe. But don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret.”
“Juliette, you didn’t need to share that with me.”
