Page 61
I almost have to run to keep up with her.
“Damn it. I’m late.” I glance down at my watch for the gazillionth time as I pull into the employee parking behind Abuela’s. Hitting Kansas City traffic on my way home caused me to be thirty minutes late for my shift. I didn’t even have time to run home and change, so I’m still wearing my dress and wedge heels.
I barely have my car in park before I rush out of the vehicle and toward the back entrance to Abuela’s, screeching to a halt when I see my mother there waiting for me.
Her arms are crossed and I swear her frown lines are even deeper than they were yesterday morning at Mass.
“Late again?” Her voice is cold. “This has got to stop.”
I square my shoulders and look at her. “Not now, Mama.”
“First, you’re rude to Fabio. And now you’re late… again!” Her nostrils flare with anger.
“Seriously? You promised to stop trying to set me up, then get mad about me being upset?” I yell back.
She steps closer, so she’s right in my face. “For your own good! Fabio has a degree in restaurant management; you’ll need his help running this place.”
“Actually, that won’t be necessary.”
Her eyes widen. “And why’s that?”
“Because I just signed a contract with Monaco Hotels and will begin writing and traveling full time… starting next week.”
“So that’s it? You’re choosing your own selfish dreams over our family?”
“That’s the difference between you and I, Mama.” I take a deep breath, my chin quivering with emotion. “I don’t love you because of the work you do at this restaurant.” I point to the building behind us. “I love you because you’re my mother. My love for this family has nothing to do with that pile of bricks.”
Her chest is heaving as she stares at me. “I’ve dedicated my life, my evenings, my weekends, everything. To make this place a success and make sure you girls had a good life. So yes, Abuela’s is a part of my love for you.”
“Part, Mama. Not all.”
She seems frozen, unable to speak. We stand there staring at each other for a few seconds before she finally breaks the silence, “If you’ve already signed a contract, there’s no reason for you to work tonight.”
She turns away from me and swings the heavy back door open. She steps inside and allows the door to close behind her without looking back at me.
When the door closes and I hear the latch close, it’s like I can feel it. Like a slap in the face.
I turn and walk back to my car.
Chapter twenty-six
David
Monday evening, I’m relaxing on my comfortable couch nursing a bourbon on the rocks, when a belligerent knock comes from my front door.
“What the hell?” I mutter to Mo, who’s sitting next to me purring. I don’t even bother fighting him when he ends up inside my house anymore.
Reluctantly, I get up and walk over to the front door and fling it open. Ready to give the intruder of my evening a piece of my mind. But when I see Isabella with tears streaming down her face, my grumpy demeanor wilts instantly.
“Isa, what’s wrong?” I pull her inside and then into my arms.
She’s crying too much to answer, so I walk us over to the sofa and pull her onto my lap. Cradling her into my chest much like I would my little nieces and nephews.
A war of emotions is battling inside of me. There’s a softness wanting to comfort her and a hardness wanting to demand, “WHO DID THIS TO YOU?”
I suppress them both and just hold her, rubbing her back gently as her breathing regulates and her tears slow down. I wait until she’s ready to talk, just enjoying the feel of her in my arms, in my home, in my heart.
“I met with the marketing director of Monaco Hotels today,” she says, finally looking up at me. Her face is red and her eyes are puffy from tears.
