Julieta wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure? How did he know it was in there?”
“I had invited him to dinner and showed him the recipe book. He knew where it was. He had asked about it many times, and I joked that it was a family recipe. That he would have to marry me to get it. He had always dreamed of opening a restaurant. But he wasn’t a chef. I was.”
Julieta sucked the chamoy off the mango. She loved the tart, salty taste mixed with the sweet. “And you never talked to him again?”
“No, it was the late seventies. We didn’t have emails and cell phones. We had letters. He never wrote. I never saw Arturo again—until today. I never wanted to, not even when he stole the recipe. It was easier to just forget—less painful. You understand.”
Julieta hugged her. “I’m sorry, Mamá. That must’ve been hard. But why didn’t you go after him later? When you came to the States? You could’ve sued, Amá. You would have some claim to his profits. They are millionaires.” Julieta considered mentioning Ramón’s McLaren and his house in La Jolla but decided against it.
“I didn’t want to come off as a scorned woman. Who would havebelieved me? And I was so happy with your papá. And you. You were my dream. The money didn’t matter.”
“But it does matter. If we had their money, we could’ve bought the block.”
“I know this new situation seems impossible, my love. But we will come out smiling, no matter what.”
She wiped her brow furiously. “So, what you are trying to tell me is that it’s okay to lose the restaurant.”
“I’m just saying that whatever happens, happens. There is more to life than work. And holding on to your anger isn’t healthy. Papá wouldn’t like it.”
Mamá’s words hung in the air, annoying Julieta. She refused to just resign herself to losing the restaurant. She needed to fight for what was rightfully hers.
Running Las Pescas was her calling.
She’d worked so hard to build her own place—and she wanted Mamá to be able to retire soon, not have to start over again.
Besides, the problem was bigger than just her. The whole community would suffer if she didn’t do something. And the Montezes had stolen from her family before and profited off their hard work; she wouldn’t let it happen again.
They finished their fruit and walked toward the restaurant. Julieta was ready for war—she would give all she had to save Las Pescas. It was her right. It was her legacy.
And she was still in complete shock that Ramón was the one who’d bought her building.
Ramón was a gentefier—no doubt about it. Who the hell did he think he was—buying up land in Barrio Logan? He was Mexican, dammit! He should know better.
Maybe Ramón would do right by the neighborhood and by her.He’d seemed kind enough last night. He hadn’t done a single thing to offend her or pressure her. He could be a good guy. He couldn’t forceallthe tenants out of their businesses—could he? What if he infused money into the community instead? He could keep the rent affordable and invest in improving the buildings.
But deep in her gut, she didn’t believe that. Julieta had been to Ramón’s lavish house, a detail she hadn’t shared with Mamá.
A man who drove a McLaren and lived in an oceanfront mansion in Bird Rock didn’t strike Julieta as the type to be focused on helping his community.
She hoped she was wrong.
What would happen next? Would Ramón feel like he could show up at her business anytime he wanted since he was her landlord? She did not want to see or deal with him.
Even though he had looked so ridiculously hot in that suit, even hotter than he had last night. Now she could see his chiseled face, his strong chin, his dark eyes, there was no more question—he was dangerously and devastatingly handsome.
But nothing could ever happen with them. She laughed thinking about how they met. They truly were Romeo and Juliet. Two strangers who shared an intense connection and who were from families who had a bitter feud with each other.
The Montezes and the Camposes.
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Barrio Logan, where we lay our scene...
Once they arrived back at Las Pescas, Mamá went into the kitchen to braise the carnitas. Julieta greeted the guests and then snuck to the back to check her email on her phone.
There was a message from Ramón Montez to the restaurant’s contact email.
Her heart raced as she clicked on it.
