Under the soft glow of the moon, the tranquil garden out front felt like a secret sanctuary, a place where emotions could flow freely, and secrets could find solace. Alma stood near the ornate fountain, her heart torn between uncertainty and longing. The scent of blooming roses mixed with salty seawater filled the air, their delicate petals mirroring her fragile emotions.
She texted Santi:I’m here. Tell him to come down and meet me.
Footsteps approached, each one echoing in her chest. Sheturned to find Jaime standing there, his dark hair tousled by the gentle breeze. His eyes, normally full of confidence, now held a mixture of regret and hope.
“Alma,” he began, his voice carrying a weight that she couldn’t ignore. “What are you doing here? Santi said—”
“Can we talk?”
“Of course.” His eyes widened. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Alma bit her lip, fighting back the swell of emotions threatening to overcome her. She nodded, her gaze steady as she motioned for him to continue.
“I need you to know that I never meant to hurt you,” Jaime began, his words tentative, as if he was unsure how to proceed. “I know I messed up, and I shouldn’t have even brought up the tequila line. But please believe me when I say that my feelings for you are real. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make our relationship work.”
Alma’s heart wavered, caught between the confusion she held onto and the desire she had tried so hard to suppress. She folded her arms across her chest, a defensive gesture she hoped would shield her from the vulnerability he stirred within her.
“I just felt foolish, Jaime,” she said, her voice steady but laced with hurt. “Like you were honest that you wanted to learn about tequila from me, but once you mentioned the line, I just spiraled. It felt like too much when we were so new. Well, old, but new.”
Jaime stepped closer; his eyes locked onto hers with a determination that sent shivers down her spine. “Alma, I’m sorry I came onso strong. I was having such strong feelings for you. I was just a mile ahead of ourselves.”
Alma’s gaze softened, curiosity overcoming her initial anger. “Why, then? Why rush?”
Jaime took a deep breath, as if gathering his thoughts before speaking. “When I first met you at college, I was taken aback by how genuine and kind you were. And then I ended it, which we have established was my fault. This time, I did miss you, but maybe I didn’t realize it. I was subconsciously led back to you. And once I saw you, I wanted to see if what we had was still there.”
“I did too.”
Jaime’s face was etched with remorse, regret seeping into his every word. “Spending time with you made me realize that I never stopped loving you. And sexually, it’s the best I’ve ever had. And I’m sure I’m a jerk for saying this, but the fact that you’ve never been with another man is so hot.”
Alma rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you’re a jerk for saying that. I should go fuck someone else just to prove a point. I’m not a fan of misogyny.”
“I know it’s gross. I can’t help it. Some weird primal Mexican machismo thing that I can’t help feeling. At least I’m aware that it’s not cool.”
Alma’s anger was still present, but the sincerity in Jaime’s eyes was undeniable. She felt torn between wanting to protect herself and wanting to give him a chance to make amends.
Jaime reached for her hand, his touch warm and gentle. “I’m asking for a second chance, Alma.”
“By second, you mean third, right?”
“Fine. Third. And final. I genuinely care about you. I want to show you how much you mean to me, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness.”
Alma stared at their entwined fingers, her heart warring with her mind. Could she really let go of her anger and take a leap of faith? The moon above seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her decision.
After a long silence, she finally met Jaime’s gaze, her eyes softening. “You confuse me, Jaime. Deeply. But I see the sincerity in your eyes, and maybe…just maybe, I’m willing to give you a chance to prove that you’ve changed and that you really want a future with me.”
“Thank you.”
“Actually, thank you. Or thank Carlos for making me be able to see past my own bullshit.”
“Carlos is on my side?”
“Yeah, I’ll say. Carlos told me about his new job yesterday.”
“Cool. Finally. I’m so happy he confessed to you. It’s not charity, Alma. He’s doing a great job, and I believe in his work. You know my passion was soccer. I want to give that opportunity to other kids. And Carlos deserves to be paid for his work. I didn’t do anything special.”
Alma threw up her hands. “There you go again. Jaime, you are a great man and you’re not giving yourself credit. Don’t you see? Carlos sees it. He trusts you. And it isn’t just Carlos. You’re super modest. You took Leti to the dance, not for publicity, not for anyulterior motive. You had a great time too. You’re just a really good guy.”
Jaime’s face lit up with a mixture of relief and gratitude. “You really think so? I’ve been told so much of my life that I’m a fuckup. I always compared myself to Ramón, who was the smart one, or Enrique, who was the kind one. I was athletic and good-looking. That sounds conceited but it’s true. Everyone always valued me for what I had on the outside. But no one ever really cared who I was on the inside. No one but you.”
