“Now. The plane leaves in four hours. Everything is arranged.”
This guy was unreal. He should’ve asked her before he bought plane tickets. Who just dropped everything in the middle of the week and headed off to Mexico?
Crazy, rich Mexicans. That was who.
But Julieta wasn’t one. She had to be responsible.
“I can’t just go to Cabo. I have a restaurant to run.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I already cleared it with your mom. And she has Tiburón and Rosa. My brothers are on call if anyone needs anything.”
Mamá waved smugly from the kitchen.
“I can’t just go. I’m sorry. There’s too much to do here.”
“Julieta, relax. I got it under control—the restaurant will be here when we get back. Let’s just go have fun.”
“This seems very impulsive. You don’t strike me as the type of guy who just flies to Cabo on a whim. You wouldn’t be successful if you just ran off every time you wanted to take a vacation.”
“You’re right. I don’t normally do this. But spending time withyou made me realize that I need to be happy. I really, really need a vacation, and I’d like you to come with me. Please say yes.”
Dammit. What if the place fell apart? In the four years since she’d opened it, she had never been away from her restaurant for more than a day.
But it wasn’t her restaurant anymore, was it?
“Okay. I’m in!” She kissed Ramón.
Oh my God! I’m going to Cabo!
Julieta had never been. She’d only been to San Felipe to see her grandparents, to Tijuana to party when she was younger, and to Ensenada to dine on lobster, but that was really about it.
She couldn’t wait!
And she couldn’t wait to be alone with Ramón again.
“Let me go home to pack.”
After the Lotería night, Julieta had been staying with Mamá again. But their relationship was still fragile.
Julieta’s stomach quivered as she directed Ramón to her home. She loved her little casa, with its bright colors and sunny porch, but compared to Ramón’s place, it was a shack.
But Ramón didn’t judge her. He pointed to a painting of a lowrider in the family room. “Nice art.”
“Oh, thanks. Tiburón painted that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he’s good, isn’t he?”
“Definitely. He’s talented.”
Julieta needed to encourage Tiburón to spend more time on his art. Maybe one day he could have a little gallery.
Julieta packed her clothes. “I don’t have a swimsuit. Can we stop by Walmart?”
“We can get one at the resort.”
“Oh, I know, but they are so expensive there. I’d prefer to buy one here.”
