Luckily, Nathan already told me about the traineeship and how positively his mother and the other directors reacted to it, otherwise I wouldn’t understand why all three of them are grinning at me as if I were some kind of national hero.
As my gaze moves to Holly and I meet her joyfully-glistening eyes, I’m even more grateful that Nathan revealed his mother and Murphy’s true intentions behind the bet. I could forgive Nathan, because I knew he really loved me and I loved him. But I didn’t know how I could ever behave normally around his family when they willingly used me as a jumping board to unleash Nathan’s CEO potential. However, learning that they wanted us to find happiness together from the beginning has shifted a weight from my shoulders. Though I was still a guinea pig in their gamble with Nathan, at least they did it in the good faith of helping him—and in the end helping me—find love.
And we did, and it’s thanks to them. So I really have no reason to harbor any hard feelings toward Holly or Murphy. Which is good, because if Nathan and I are going down the road we discussed, I’ll be seeing his family a lot more.
As if Holly wants to reiterate this point, she pats my shoulder. “We’ll leave you two now to do whatever you’re setting out to do. But, Eva, I’d love to organize a small dinner just for the family tomorrow. Do you think your grandmother and your siblings would like to come? I’m so curious to meet them and so are Malcom and Marjorie.”
I throw a slanted glance at Nathan to check how he feels about his mother’s offer. I know they had a strained relationship in the past, so I don’t want to step on his toes by accepting an invite to his mother’s house too soon. Especially if our entire families are supposed to meet.
But Nathan doesn’t seem concerned. He nods enthusiastically. “It’s a great idea, Mother. You can also chat with Alejandro, and see why he’ll be such a great candidate for our program.”
“I think my family would love to meet you too,” I say with a shy smile.
“Then it’s settled,” Holly beams. “Oh, could you ask your grandmother to prepare some of those enchiladas Nathan tried at your house? I hear they’re delicious. My cook will take care of the rest of the dinner.”
Okay, a lot must’ve happened in this past week between Nathan and his mother, if he has told her about Abuelita’s cooking. But apart from this surprising turn, I know Abuelita will be very proud if she can contribute to the meal, so I gracefully accept the request in her name.
Holly and Larry continue their walk toward a meeting room, while Nathan ushers me to the elevator. As we wait for it to arrive, I can’t suppress my curiosity any longer. “So your mom and you seem to be in a better place now.”
Nathan scratches his chin pensively. “Yes, I think we are. And not just with her. I also made peace with my step-father. I believe I was wrong to have been upset with Malcom in the first place, but given the circumstances with which he and Mother came together, I don’t blame myself for feeling angry. I’m just sorry it lasted that long.”
“Wow, Nathan.” I press a palm to his cheek. “I’m so happy for you. Your week was sure full of events and changes. Definitely more exciting than what I’d been up to.”
While we were still at his office, Nathan made me narrate what I did while we didn’t see each other. To be fair, my side of the story wasn’t very interesting. But Nathan still listened to every word as if his life depended on it. I even joked with him that if he found being a hermit so exciting, we could close him in his condo for a week in his pajamas.
He peers down at me with a smile. “Everything that I’ve done or that happened has led up to this moment, here and now. And…” His grin widens to my surprise. “Interested to find out what it is?”
“Interested? I’m dying to know,” I squeak.
I can’t imagine what Nathan has in store for me, but I know it won’t be anything inappropriate. He’s learned by now what I like and what I don’t. Though he’s still Nathan, so I definitely have to count on something unpredictable that may take my breath away. It’s better if I don’t even guess, and just let him transport me wherever he wants.
The elevator arrives, and I fling my arm around his elbow. “Let’s go, then.”
He presses me to him, and with his other hand, he dangles the keys. “Yes, let’s go, my love.”
Chapter 42
(Nathan)
As I stroll with Eva down the large avenue where AMEA’s headquarters are located, I can’t help but notice how much crisper the air is and how much smoother my muscles feel than they did this morning.
I reach down and kiss the top of Eva’s head.
She blinks up. “What did I do to earn this?”
“Nothing. Everything.”
She smiles and shakes her head. “You’re a bit weird, but I like it.”
Her beaming face says more. Those three sweet words that I have managed to lure out from her at least a dozen times in the past two hours. I still can’t get enough of hearing them. If we weren’t on a busy sidewalk, I’d probably stop, haul her to me, and claim her mouth till she has no other choice than whisper to me that she loves me. I’d have done that already if Mother and Larry hadn’t interrupted us. But I’m glad they did in the end. It’s important that Eva realizes that Mother and my entire family are overjoyed that we’re together. It will take a while before the differences in our social statuses—such a hindering aspect for Eva—fades enough for Eva to accept that
