“I didn’t know they had a club.”
“Yeah, it’s great. In the summer they have bonfires and exclusive parties with musicians. Last year, Tim McGraw played here. But they don’t have golf,” he said, with a disappointed tone.
Oh no, the horror! How could Ramón live without golf?
Julieta couldn’t even believe she was having this conversation. “How often do you play golf?”
“All the time—mostly for business networking. I belong to the La Jolla Country Club also. They have the best course. It overlooks the ocean. Have you ever played?”
He belonged to two country clubs? Because one wasn’t enough? Who did that?
Right, the dude with the McLaren.
“No. Never picked up a club. That’s not true—I played mini golf once.”
“Well, I need to teach you.”
Julieta stifled a laugh. What a joke. Didn’t golfers have to wear special shoes and bright outfits? She wouldn’t have a clue what to do and would probably embarrass Ramón. “I think I’d rather stay here. I prefer concerts. And live music.”
“You’ve never stayed here?”
Why on earth would she waste money staying at the Del when she lived five minutes away? “No, there was never a need. I live on the other side of the bridge.” Make that thewrongside of the bridge.
Ay, Julieta. Scratch that thought.
She should flip that narrative—she lived on the right side of the bridge.
There was nothing wrong with Barrio Logan. She loved it there.
Even so, it would be nice to check into a resort like this and spend her days getting hot stone massages and her nights taking romantic sunset walks on the beach.
Ramón winked. “Well, let’s stay here tonight.”
What?Tonight?
She studied him. His face had an almost movie-star quality to it. He was ruggedly handsome, yet still a pretty boy, all wrapped up withthose adorably deep dimples. And so far, in every interaction they’d had, he had been a perfect gentleman.
But was spending the night with him a wise move? Yes, she had gone home with him on the Day of the Dead, but that was when she never planned to see him again. That was her typical no-strings-attached hookup plan. She had intended to smash and dash. Now she knew his name, and they worked together. It felt more intimate; it felt scarier.
Don’t do it, Julieta. Protect your heart. This won’t end well. Just ask to go back home—
“I’d love to.” Did she just say that?
She did say that. She wanted to get out of her head. Be guided by her heart and just go for it. She deserved it.
Ramón grinned. “Check, please!”
Her pulse raced. Ramón pulled her chair toward him. He kissed her again, starting on her lips, and making his way down to her neck. Julieta was on fire. Where was that waitress?
Finally, the waitress brought their check, he paid, and they left.
Ramón led her to the lobby.
They stood under a grand chandelier, and a bride and groom walked by. Her gown was so ornate—Julieta never dared dream about her wedding day, which would now be even more bittersweet since her father wouldn’t be able to walk her down the aisle. It seemed like a foolish dream anyway because she had never even been in a serious relationship. But if she did ever get married, it would not be at a place like the Hotel Del. A wedding here must cost a fortune. Ramón squeezed her hand, and Julieta didn’t know what to make of that.
Turning her attention away from the newlyweds, Julieta marveled at the opulent interior. There were already Christmas decorations up. A huge upside-down tree was in the middle of the lobby.Garlands and lights hung from the balcony overhead. Julieta had never seen anything like it.
A ghost supposedly haunted the property. Her name was Kate Morgan, also known as the Lady in Black, and her body had been found on a staircase leading to the beach, with a gunshot wound in her head. Julieta didn’t believe in ghosts, but she did a quick sign of the cross just in case.
