Laia smacks her lips. “As far as I know, he doesn’t sell drugs, nor does he court other women besides you.”
“Likely right about the first point, unless AMEA is a big cover-up for the mob. But I can’t express myself on the second. Maybe he does have a girlfriend. Or three. Who knows? It’s not like we move in the same social circles. I could be a short distraction from his girlfriend or just a quick fling before he ties the knot.”
Laia rolls her eyes. “He sure puts in a lot of effort for a fling to work out. We both know you’re terrorized by the thought of being lied to again. But what if Nathan isn’t a jerk like your ex or your dad? What if he is for real? You’re refusing him before even having a chance to see what his true intentions are.”
“I’m going out with him, if you’ve forgotten. I don’t exactly know why… I probably shouldn’t since—”
Laia reaches out and grabs my shoulders. She shakes me gently. “Eva, no seas tonta. Don’t be stupid.”
I wiggle out of her grip. “If you’re such an advocate of giving chances, why is it that you’re not seeing anyone?”
Laia’s chin hardens, and I regret my comment immediately.
Laia has been absorbed with finishing her degree and, more recently, with her job hunt. The few dates she managed to fit into her tight schedule these past years had all turned out to be with idiots. Likely because she lets her crazy roommate, Chelsea, match her up. Be it as it may, my cynical remark was uncalled for.
I search her expression. “I’m sorry, Laia. I know you just want what’s best for me. But Nathan…he awakens thoughts and sensations in me that I’m not used to having and…well, as you rightly said, it freaks me out.”
“I know, Eva, and I’m not saying you should throw away all precautions. But, I do think you should stay open to the possibility of being surprised by Nathan. After all, he did amaze you once already, right?”
“Yes,” I mumble. If I’m really being honest, more than once. Which is probably the reason I’m so nervous about our meeting.
Laia straightens and rolls her shoulders. She glances at her watch. “It’s getting late. I’ll need to get going if I don’t want to miss my train. My cab should be here any minute.”
I stand up and take off my dirty gloves. I let them drop to the floor and pat Laia’s shoulder. “I’ll soon start that down-payment on my car, I promise. So next time it won’t matter if Abuelita can’t leave me her sedan. Do you want some change for your ride?”
“No, Eva. I’m still perfectly able to pay for a cab. Also…” Her lips curl into a dreamy smile. “You have other, more important things to think about. Like what you’re going to wear to your date.”
“Not a date, a meeting—for a coffee.”
“Call it what you want, but this T-shirt”—she points at my chest—“is spotty, so at least put on a clean one. It can be baggy and formless if that’s the look you want to go for.”
She knows that most of my dresses, despite my lack of money to splurge on clothes, are nice. I shop second-hand so that I can afford the patterns and materials I like. She must be trying to provoke me to admit that I care about how Nathan will react to my dress.
“What an idea, thanks! I’ll just take one of those brown bags Abuelita uses for her veggies.” I stick out my tongue and Laia giggles.
A honk interrupts our banter.
“Shoot, I need to go,” Laia exclaims.
She embraces me, and I hug her back, trying to keep some distance between our bodies so that I don’t smear soil on her blouse.
Laia picks up her travel bag. “Come visit me in Phoenix soon, okay?”
“Will do.”
Laia dashes to the path that leads to the street.
After she disappears, I turn my attention back to the begonias. I still have six plants left, but I’ve at least managed to set a new row. The bright pink and red is pleasing for the eye. I gather the remaining flowers and set them in a neat group beside the fence. I’ll get to those tomorrow, but now it’s time to wash up. I might have joked about dressing like a sack of potatoes, but I’d actually prefer to look slightly more presentable than that when Nathan arrives.
As I sprint into the house for a quick shower, it’s hard to keep my mind on a tight leash. My thoughts keep swirling about Nathan and my chat with my cousin.
Should I listen to Laia’s advice?
It could be nice to see where today goes without constantly monitoring each fraction of emotion turning around in my ribcage. It would certainly make the time we’re about to spend together more pleasant. I don’t need to switch off my radar…just set it on pause. Then I’ll see where that takes us.
For one day only.
Tomorrow, if I feel like, I can go back into safe mode again.
Chapter 14
(Nathan - Day 4)
Why did I listen to Murphy? Why?
I slap myself inwardly as I steer my Jaguar toward the flashy palace that’s supposed to be the location of my first official date with Eva.
On the passenger seat, Eva shifts and lets out a nervous little cough.
I shoot a side-glance at her. Oh no, she must also be bewildered by the building’s ostentatiousness. Her eyes are fixed on the stream of people walking through the large double-door that leads inside. Her hands fiddle with the skirt of her simple summer dress.
The soft lilac fabric suits her skin tone perfectly, and the oval cleavage elongates her delicate neckline to perfection. Nonetheless, judging by her fazed expression, I can tell she feels underdressed. To be fair, the guests here seem like they’re going to a bling-bling award ceremony.
What was my brother even thinking?
Hidden gem, my eye.
I take
