“I still wish I would’ve done things differently. I could’ve handled things better.”
“We all make mistakes, honey. You were a kid. Alejandro forgives you. You two love each other, and you have so much history and such a strong foundation. You were friends for years. You’ve both experienced life without each other. He did what he wanted to do, too. If you had stayed here, who knows that he would’ve gone to college. You may have struggled financially, and that brings stress to a lot of young couples. You don’t know that things would’ve been better, that’s all I’m saying.
“You’ve lived your lives a little bit, and you’ve come together again. I think that’s the best kind of love story. You know that old saying? If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours; if they don't they never were. You came back.”
“It was always the plan,” I tell her. “It just took me a little longer than I wanted.”
She steps forward and holds my hands in hers. “You two will be just fine. Take care of each other and love each other.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She squeezes my fingers with a warm smile on her face. “Okay. Let’s eat.”
53
Alejandro
Present Day
“I’m not sure why I didn’t see it before,” Lili says, watching me and Merrick sitting side-by-side on the couch a couple hours after we’re done eating.
“You were too busy trying to annoy me.”
“Oh right. Sorry for loving you so much,” she quips with a roll of her eyes.
“I’m kidding,” I say.
“Whatever. So, what’s the plan now?” she asks, holding Mari in her arms. “You’ve obviously kissed and made up,” she says, waggling her brows. “What’s next? Are you taking my brother away?” she asks, aiming her question at Merrick.
“Not really. We’re gonna have a house between Gaspar and Chaparral, so it’s close to family here, and to Ali’s work.”
“You’re still gonna work at the school?” she questions, brows furrowed with confusion. “You just hit the jackpot, big brother!”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, I’m still planning on working. Merrick’s money is his.”
She glances at Merrick who’s shaking his head. “We’re getting married. What’s mine is yours and all that. Come on, man.”
Lili lets out a squeak. “Aww.”
“I haven’t heard a proposal yet,” I tease, looking at Merrick.
His perfect lips curl up on one side like he already has a plan, and butterflies take flight in my stomach.
“So, you’re staying close?” Lili says, getting us back on track. “What about everything else?”
“Well, I’ll be in New York soon to finish an album. Ali’s invited to come. As far as tours go, I’m hoping I can manage to have them during the summers so Ali can join us.”
“Or he could just quit and go with you whenever, but he’s trying to be all righteous,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“He is right here, so shut up,” I tell her.
“Oh hey,” she says, acting like she forgot I was right next to her.
“I thought you wanted me nearby anyway.”
“Sometimes,” she says with a shrug before giving me a small grin.
“We’re gonna figure it out no matter what,” Merrick says, squeezing my knee once.
“When’s your statement going out?”
“I’m waiting for it to be cleared by my publicist. Should be soon, though.”
“Well, we should head out,” I say, standing up. “We need to meet up with Jordy.”
I lean over and kiss Mari on the forehead and do the same to Lili.
“Mami’s in her room,” she says.
I walk through the hall and find my mom sitting on her bed with a photo album laid out in front of her.
“We’re heading out, Ma.”
“Okay, baby. Come here real quick.”
I make my way to the side of the bed and look at the photos she’s putting in the album. “Aww, Mari’s so cute.”
“I know. She looks just like Liliana when she was a baby.” She points to one of me when I was six or seven. “You look just like my dad.”
I smile and rest my hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m good, Mijo,” she replies, grabbing my hand. “I’m happy that you’re happy. I know things are different for you because you’re in a relationship with a man, but please give me more grandbabies.”
“Ma,” I say, choking on a laugh. “How many more?”
“At least two. Hopefully Lili will find a good man and give me another one.”
I shake my head. “I love you. I’ll see what I can do.”
She smiles. “See you soon?”
“Of course.”
I say good-bye and make my way down the short hall and find Merrick waiting for me. He smiles and my heart skips a beat. “Sorry. Mom was asking crazy questions.”
“Like what?”
“Bye Lil. Love you.”
“Love ya.”
When we cross the threshold, I say, “Asking for grandbabies.”
Merrick stares at me for a few seconds, his face hard to read. He slings an arm over my shoulder and gives me a crooked grin. “Maybe not too crazy.”
We leave my mom’s house to meet up with Jordy at Corner Bistro on Main Street, but I can’t stop thinking about how Merrick said having kids isn’t too crazy of an idea. Now I’m picturing mini Merrick’s running around and it takes all my focus to push that thought to the back of my head, because it’s too early to think about something like that.
I luck out by getting a spot in front of the tiny restaurant, and find Jordy sitting outside at one of the small tables, seemingly flirting with the waiter.
“Can we get a seat inside?” I ask right away.
“But the weather’s so nice,” Jordy whines, standing up to greet me with a hug and kiss
