She looked at her feet. “No. I can’t. I have to see my mamá.”
“Just tell her you want to spend the day in Coronado.”
“Yeah, she won’t be too happy if she knows I’m with you.”
“Well, then don’t tell her.”
She hesitated, and Ramón was sure she would say no, but she finally grabbed her phone and dialed.
Before Julieta spoke another word, Ramón heard the angry torrent of Spanish flowing down the line at her.
“Amá, no, I’m fine.”
“Look, I’ll be home later.”
“Yes, with Ramón. I know he’s my boss. Stop it, Amá.”
Her fist clenched. “No, he’s not.”
“I’m not listening to you.”
“I’m hanging up now.”
“Bye, Amá!” She angrily tossed her phone in her purse.
Well, that had gone well. Ramón was glad that he didn’t have to check in with anyone. “See? Everything worked out.” Ramón joked.
Julieta rolled her eyes. “My mother thinks I’m twelve. But it’s fine.”
Ramón paused. Should he tell her what Linda had asked of him? He had to. “Well, she did forbid me to get involved with you.”
Julieta covered her face with her hands. “Please tell me she didn’t.”
“She did.”
A scowl claimed Julieta’s face. “Ay! I’m a grown adult. I can’t believe her.”
Ramón took her hand. “She’s just watching out for you.”
“Clearly, you didn’t listen to her.”
“Nope, I didn’t. I also told her that I couldn’t promise her that.”
“Good, I’m glad.” She sat in his lap.
Ramón brushed a lock of hair out of her face. “So how about that bike ride?”
Julieta looked down at her work clothes. “Let’s just hang out here. I don’t have sporty clothes.”
Ramón shook his head. “Let’s just get clothes in the shops below the hotel.”
“Ramón. No. It’s fine. We can go bike riding some other time.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Please. It’s not a big deal. I just want to show you around Coronado. You can bike around the entire island.”
Julieta threw her hands up. “Okay.”
Ramón took her hand, and they left the beach room. They wentdown to the shops. Julieta picked out a shirt, some shorts, and some tennis shoes, and so did Ramón.
