The end of a chapter, but the beginning of his journey to a love built on trust, honesty, and respect—a love he trulydeserved.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Amonth later, Alma sat in her condo. Life had been quiet ever since Jaime left. He hadn’t even bothered to fly back to San Francisco with her—instead he had booked a direct flight to San Diego. Not that she could blame him. She had made it abundantly clear that she didn’t want to hear what he had to say. Her pride was so wounded, and she was so angry with him that she couldn’t even try to see it from his side.
But after some reflection, a few talks with Zoila, and some intensive therapy, Alma’s stance softened toward him. Jaime was a twenty-five-year-old man. So, he had wanted to start a tequila line with her. She herself had had the same thought, so how could she blame him? She had just felt so used and doubted that he really wanted her more than he wanted a new business venture. But deep down she believed that he had really fallen for her again, despite himself, just as she had fallen for him.
But none of it mattered. He was once again in her past. Shetruly didn’t believe for a second that he would move up to Marin. And she wouldn’t move to San Diego. They were at an impasse. There was no happily ever after in their future.
At least she got to experience what it was like to be sexually free again. In the aftermath of their short fling, she had decided that she had focused way too much on her career and that she needed to also prioritize her personal life. She was only young once. She was beautiful and kind. She wanted to have a healthy sex life.
Unfortunately, anytime she fantasized, she always imagined Jaime. Naked.
Alas.
A warm glow from the rare sunny June day in San Francisco shone through the window in her condo. Mark Twain once famously said that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. Alma couldn’t agree with that statement more.
She wrapped herself in a sweater and curled up on the couch with a monster romance novel. It was a quiet afternoon, the kind she cherished after a long week at work.
The sound of her phone buzzing disrupted the calm. It was her brother.
“Hey, Alm, can I come over?” Carlos’s voice was tense, a hint of something unspoken lingering in the background.
“Of course, Carlos. Everything okay?” Alma asked, concern threading her words.
“I just…I need to talk to you.” Carlos was the stoic type, always calm and composed. He was her rock. For him to sound this unsettled was rare.
“Come over. I’ll make us some coffee,” she said, trying to sound casual.
When Carlos arrived, there was a hesitancy in his step, a vulnerability that he rarely showed. He slumped onto the couch beside her, his hands fidgeting.
Alma waited, giving him space to gather his thoughts. Shepoured him a cup of coffee, the familiar aroma filling the room, a small comfort in the thickening silence.
“Carlos, what’s going on? You’re scaring me a bit here,” she said gently, her eyes full of concern.
Carlos took a deep breath, his gaze meeting hers. “Alm, I’ve been carrying this around for a while, and I can’t do it anymore. I need to be honest with you.”
The seriousness in his voice set her nerves on edge.
“What is it? Are you sick?”
“No. I’ve been going behind your back.”
She eyed him up and down. “With what exactly?”
“I’ve been working for Jaime. I couldn’t say no. He has been funding my soccer league and paying me as director.”
The words hung in the air, a declaration that seemed to both relieve and terrify him.
For a moment, she was silent, processing his words. Then, without a syllable, she reached out, her hand finding his, a gesture of support and love.
“Carlos, I love you. No matter what,” she said, her voice steady and sure. “I’m just sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me this because of my problems with Jaime. This is a great opportunity for you.”
Carlos’s eyes, usually so guarded, filled with tears. “I was scared,” he admitted. “Scared of how you’d react, scared you’d think I was betraying you.”
Alma squeezed his hand, her own eyes welling up. “You’re my brother. Nothing could ever change how I see you. I’m proud ofyou for paving your own way and going after what you want. That takes courage.”
They sat in silence, the bond between them a tangible thing. Itwas a moment of unspoken understanding, of unconditional love and acceptance.
