I shrug. “Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t want to push her.”
“Tomás. Spontaneous wedding or not, her name is Sarina Ramos. It’s on the fucking marriage certificate.”
“Yeah, but that…”
“But that nothing. Listen, I’ve learned a lot about Sarina in the past few weeks that I had no clue about in the years I’ve been friends with her. But one thing I do know, and I’ve always known, is that she runs when things feel too real.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” I lovingly make a jab at my sister.
“You love her, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
“Then tell her.”
I was planning on asking her out this week. Backward as it is. In the whirlwind that has been our relationship, we’ve never gone out on a proper date. I wanted to change that and maybe be able to see where we stand with each other in the process.
I need to know.
But the reality of our arrangement creeps up on me. The strings holding us together —the deal we made— is no more.
“But what if she doesn’t love me back?” I ask, unable to bear the thought of that being true.
“I doubt that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because she sounded disappointed when Gabriella and I asked her if you two figured out how to proceed with the divorce.”
My stomach drops. “Why would you ask her that?”
“Because you two skipped dating and got married?” Lorena shrugs.
“Did you ask her in person?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Was she wearing a ring?”
“Yeah.” Lorena goes on to describe her grandmother’s ring.
It gives me hope. I know it shouldn’t. That ring has nothing to do with me. It was her grandmother’s. Owed to her. But the look on her face when I slid it on, that look had everything to do with me. I know it did.
“Okay, thanks,” I say just as my phone vibrates. “I have to take this.”
Nosey as ever, Lorena looks at the caller ID on my phone, recognizing the name.
“Tomás, why is your ex calling you?”
“Don’t worry, it has to do with Sarina.”
“Oh my god, are you planning a threesome with your ex and Sarina? If you weren’t my brother, I’d say that’s hot.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but no,” I say, not wanting to disclose that the only person I want to be with is Sarina. It sounds too vulnerable. “She just owes me a favor. But can you do me a favor? If Sarina calls you in the next hour or so, can you not answer.”
Lo’s expression is the equivalent to daggers being thrown. “Umm, why?”
“I’ll explain soon, just promise, okay?”
