Libby rolled her eyes. If you even knew how hard it is to substitute freaking for fucking. She rose from her chair, hands on the table, leaning over. “Stop it. Stop it now. No more dates. No more meddling. Got it?”
Her mother stared at her and then wiped her eyes dramatically. “I’m just trying to help.”
“I don’t need any help finding a man, Mamá. I’ll find one on my own.”
Her mother sighed dramatically. “Okay, if you really don’t have feelings for Eddie, fine. I’d like you to do me a favor though. One of my neighbors, Josefina Morales, her grandson just moved to Dallas. He doesn’t know anyone in town. I already told her you could give him a tour and show him around. Please don’t embarrass me and say you won’t.”
Libby literally growled at her mother.
Her mother sat up straighter. “It wouldn’t really be a date. Just being a helpful citizen.”
“No.” Libby turned and walked out of the house without looking back. She feared if she’d stayed another second, she would’ve said things she couldn’t take back. It was the first time she’d ever dared to confront her mother.
It felt…good.
Maybe one day she would muster up the confidence to tell her she wasn’t marrying a man from Guatemala, too. Because what Libby now realized was that no matter what happened between her and Jason, she was incredibly attracted to him. She was hoping they could continue to build on it.
This was not how she wanted to spend her day. Not even close. She’d intended to go for a run, do some laundry, read a book in her favorite armchair.
Instead, she was on a rampage hunting down people who needed to be set straight.
She’d never been to Eddie’s house, nor had she intended to go today. She’d thought she would call him. But now that her mother had told her where he lived, Libby figured it would be easier and faster to just go to the door. It might even send a stronger message.
Granted, Eddie was probably at work. It was the middle of a weekday. But it wouldn’t hurt to try. If he happened to be home, she could put an end to this now. If not, she would call him and make him listen.
It took only a few minutes to get to the mansion she’d admired for most of her life. She’d never realized who lived in it. It seemed ridiculous that Eddie owned it. He couldn’t have owned it long. He wasn’t that old. Mid-twenties. What the hell did he do for a living? He’d never told her. She hadn’t cared to ask.
She parked her car in the circular drive and headed for the front door. It was one of those enormous entrances, the double doors wide and tall as if giants lived there.
She rang the bell and waited, wiping her hands on her jeans. She was just about to return to her car when the door finally opened. An older man in his seventies stood there. “Can I help you?”
Libby was taken aback. “I’m looking for Eduardo Lopez. Does he live here?”
“Of course.” The man stepped back. “Come in. I’ll go tell him you’re here. What’s your name, miss?”
“Libby. Libertad,” she corrected for some odd reason.
He nodded. “Wait right here. I’ll be right back.” He shuffled off to the left, leaving her to glance around at the foyer. Jesus. This place was the wealthiest home she’d ever seen. How was it possible Eddie hadn’t mentioned this detail to her?
Several minutes went by before another older man appeared. His eyes were dancing as he reached out a hand. “You must be Libertad Garcia. I’ve heard so much about you.” He was impeccably dressed in pressed dress pants, a white dress shirt, and a black tie. His hair was slicked back, but it was long enough to curl a bit at the back of his neck.
She took his hand, confused beyond measure. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”
“Eduardo Lopez. Eddie’s father.”
“Oh. I, uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…” What the fuck was she supposed to say?
“Come on in. My wife is in the kitchen. She’d love to meet you.”
Libby’s heart thudded so hard she thought it might jump out of her chest. This could not be happening. It was a nightmare. “I really can’t stay, sir. I was looking for Eddie. Is he here?”
“Not right now. He’s at the office.” He waved his hand, trying to get her to follow him. “But if you’re not in a hurry, Mija, Elena will have my hide if I tell her you were here and she didn’t get to say hello.”
“I really can’t stay, sir,” Libby insisted.
“Who’s at the door?” a woman’s voice asked from behind.
Great. This disaster was getting worse by the second.
“It’s Eddie’s girlfriend, Libertad,” Eduardo tossed over his shoulder.
“Oh, how delightful.” The beaming woman hurried toward Libby. “My God, Eddie was right. You are stunning. Come on in. I’ll make tea. Or coffee? Which do you prefer?” Elena was a stunning woman of about fifty. Her hair was stylish and either still black or she dyed it. She wore an expensive skirt and blouse and pumps as if she were heading to the country club at any moment. Maybe she was.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t stay. I was hoping to speak to Eddie. I’ll just catch him later.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.” Elena looked seriously defeated, as if Libby’s arrival was the most interesting thing that had happened to her in days. “I’ll talk to Eddie and make sure he invites you over for dinner soon.”
Libby couldn’t even respond to that. The hole she was in kept getting deeper. Her world was upside down. “Sorry to bother you,” she said as she backed up to the door and then opened it.
“No bother at all, Mija,” Eduardo insisted. “Please, come again soon.”
Libby did nothing but nod and rush down the steps back to her car. She knew the two of them were staring at her from the doorway, so she
