He had other cars. He could take one of those.
She texted him the address and told him not to bring the McLaren or the Mustang.
Though Julieta had been cooking all day, she always made food for Lotería night. On tonight’s menu was enchiladas verdes and tres leches cake. And tequila. Gallons of it. Julieta should start drinking now.
Julieta began to prepare the food for the party. She roasted the chiles de árbol and the garlic, ground the spices with the temolote, and boiled chicken. Cooking at a home was different from cooking at the restaurant. As much as her family got on her nerves, Julieta enjoyed the sounds of laughter and the loud voices booming through the room. She especially loved watching her younger cousins running in the backyard, dirty and messy. That was the kind of family life she wanted.
Ramón’s life wasn’t messy. His sleek, modern oceanfrontmansion, his spotless sports car, his pressed silk suits. Would he ever want this type of life?
But he had already seemed to change. He had a great time at La Vuelta and even enjoyed decorating the tree with her.
She would see how he fit in tonight.
Ramón texted her that he had arrived. She rushed to the door and noticed he’d brought his Jeep. Good choice.
He carried six bouquets of sunflowers. He handed her one.
“The rest are for your mother and for your aunts.”
Nice move, Ramón.
He was dressed as casually as Julieta had ever seen him. He wore a T-shirt and board shorts. He almost looked like a surfer instead of a millionaire businessman.
Tía Eva didn’t miss a beat. Her bleached blond hair and heavy makeup hid her natural beauty. She pushed her way through the rest of the crowd to the front of the house.
“And you must be Ramón. Julieta has told me so much about you. And your family,” she hissed. All of Julieta’s aunties were well aware that Ramón’s father had stolen their family’s taco recipe. Julieta prayed they wouldn’t hold it against Ramón.
Tía Eva squeezed Ramón’s bicep and then tried to give Julieta a high five. Julieta left her hanging.
Ramón presented Tía Eva with the flowers. “Mucho gusto. These are for you.”
Tía Eva dramatically grabbed the bouquet and clutched it to her chest. This would be a long night.
“Hey, Tib.”
“Hey, Ramón.”
Ever since Ramón had let Tiburón drive his car, they had been cool. Julieta never expected them to be best friends or anything, but at least being civil was a start.
Mamá emerged from the backyard. She checked out Ramón from head to toe, then ignored him.
But Ramón didn’t give up. “Señora Campos. Here. These are for you.”
Mamá accepted the flowers but quickly handed them off to Julieta. “Let’s eat.”
Ramón gave out the rest of the flowers. The aunts gathered around the dining room table along with Rosa, Tiburón, and some other cousins. Julieta had snacks and drinks lined up. She poured herself a shot of tequila. She needed it.
Tía Juanita was first up to interrogate Ramón. Her jet-black hair was pulled tight against her face. “So, Ramón, Julieta tells me that you own a McLaren and a beachfront house.”
Julieta rolled her eyes.
“I’m just saying! I’ve never met a multimillionaire before.”
This was such a bad idea. Ramón should leave now.
It was Tía Eva’s turn. “How’s your father? When I was a little girl, I would look out the window all night, waiting for him and Linda to return so I could see them kiss. I was jealous.”
Mamá smacked Tía Eva. Lord. Julieta wanted to crawl under the covers. Tía Eva always wanted to get a rise out of Julieta’s mother.
