“Mami?” I call out as I step inside the house.
I probably should’ve called ahead, but I wanted to surprise them.
“Penny Bean,” Mami calls as she rushes into the foyer.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were staying in the town like you’ve been doing for the past month.” Her lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile too hard.
“I missed you and Dad, so I decided to spend the weekend here,” I say with a shrug.
“Penélope Marie.” Her eyes narrow slightly as she studies me. “What happened?”
“Nothing, I seriously just missed you guys.”
I can negotiate million-dollar contracts without breaking a sweat, but the second my mother looks at me like that,I turn into a guilty twelve-year-old. Lying to her has never been one of my talents.
“Fine,” she says knowingly. “I guess I’ll have to bring out the big guns.”
She grabs my hand and leads me toward the kitchen.
I already know what’s coming: food. Specifically, an impressive spread she’ll use to lure information out of me one bite at a time. “What should we start with? she asks while rummaging through the freezer. “¿Empanadas o dulce de leche pastries?”
“Why not both?” I grin. “You know I’ll eat it all.”
“You’re not wrong.” A playful little sound leaves her as she closes the freezer. “Besides, I haven’t had my algo yet. Perfect time for my afternoon treat.”
She fires up the coffee maker, and I’m transported back to my childhood in this exact kitchen. Every morning, Mami brewed coffee with breakfast, and every afternoon she made another pot for her little “pick-me-up.”
The scent of dark coffee mixing with sugary dulce de leche is the smell of home.
“So tell me,” Mami says, settling into one of the chairs in the breakfast nook, “did the MacAllister hottie tell you to vacate his place?” She pats the seat beside her for me to join her.
I smile, trying to gather the courage to tell her that her only child is getting married in a month.
“No, nothing like that. He’s been great.” A genuine smile tugs at my lips as an image of Miles cooking dinner for us flashes through my mind.
“Then I can’t think of what could have you so…” Her words trail off as she lifts a mug of coffee hot enough to melt steel and takes a sip like it’s nothing.
“If everything’s okay with Miles, then what is it?”
“Do I smell coffee and empanadas?” Dad says as he enters the kitchen.
“Oh, hey Dad. I didn’t realize you were home,” I say as I stand up to hug him.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He asks, a frown forming on his salt and pepper eyebrows.
“I don’t know.” I shrug as I take back my seat. “I thought maybe you’d be at the club playing poker.”
Dad’s face falls at my words.
I know this isn’t the way to bring things up, but I couldn’t help it. The words just came out.
“It’s actually a good thing he’s here,” Mami says after placing a tray with boiling coffee on the table. “She was about to tell me what has her so worried.”
I inhale deeply, trying to gather some strength to drop the bomb.
“I’m getting married.”
Her mug lands on the table with a sharp thud. Shock floods her face as her eyes widen.
