“I always wanted to go to the Fiesta de San Isidro.”
Alma racked her brain back to catechism class but couldn’t remember who he was. “And he’s the saint of…”
“Farmers. There is a festival, and they bless the seeds,farmworkers, and working animals. Plus, I just love Guadalajara. I had the best time and really want to go again. Come with?”
No. Not now. Not with the bar doing so well. She needed to focus and work harder to ensure its success.
“I’d love to, but I can’t. Too busy with the bar.”
“Whatever. You’re always too busy with your place. Work will always be there. You need a break.”
Zoila was right. Alma needed a break. She deserved a break.
Maybe Jaime popping into her life was a sign. Not that she needed to have any sort of relationship with him, because clearly that was never going to happen. But that her life had turned into all work and no play. Seeing Jaime, remembering their carefree times together and how they would drop everything and take adventure days hiking up mountains, made her yearn for that freedom.
“I guess I could use some time off. And I really wanted to go down there and meet with this tequila artisan. When is it?”
“May fifteenth.”
One month from now. Could she swing it?
She did have her brother around. And—she quickly checked her phone—none of her staff had requested off for that week, so she could feasibly slip away with minimal disruption.
Could she?Shouldshe?
Alma took in a deep breath.
Commit to this. You deserve it.
“I’m in.”
Zoila’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. I can do it since it is after the Cinco celebration. Carlos roped me into some festival. It’s a fundraiser for the kids he coaches. But we also have to make a stop in Oaxaca. There is somemezcal mistress that is supposed to be the bomb and I want to check her out and possibly carry her spirit.”
“Yay! I didn’t think you’d say yes! I’m so excited. Okay. I’ll plan everything. Text me the dates that suit you on either side.” Shelooked at her phone. “I need to run to my tutoring job. Thanks for the cafecito and chisme. I’ll text later.”
Alma laughed. There was no one she would rather drink coffee and share gossip with than Zoila.
“Bye!” They embraced, and Zoila walked down the street.
Alma exhaled and placed her phone back into her purse. As she and Tequila walked back to her condo, she again felt that sense of peace she longed for.
Seeing Jaime, as disturbing as it was, was a blessing. Not a curse. A reminder of what her life had been like back when she had been with him. Fun, flirty, fantastic.
She missed that girl.
But she was going to discover her again.
InMexico.
Chapter Seven
Jaime woke the next morning with a hangover and a hard-on. How had he so epically fucked up last night? Why hadn’t he listened to Santi? He should’ve never come to Marin.
Jaime tossed back his covers and hit the shower. The hot water cascaded over his body, washing away his shame. After these last few years, he should’ve gotten over Alma. But seeing her, smelling her, it was as if they had never spent a day apart.
He wanted to be alone with his thoughts. He exited the shower, quickly dressed, and snuck by Santi’s room, not knowing if his friend was awake. Honestly, he was probably working. That guy never took a day off. Maybe Jaime liked him because he reminded him so much of Ramón.
