“It’s like the Midas touch, but with food. She’s the meat whisperer.” The words were out before I could stop them. Elliott nearly spit out his taco, laughing so hard I covered my face. For the rest of the meal, every time our eyes met, we both started laughing. It was the most comfortable I’d felt with him in a long time—it made me forget why we were at war at all.
When mom finally took a break, she sat beside us with mytíaclose by. From another table, someone called out, asking when I was getting married. It was the running joke. I was the last single Miranda girl, the supposed old maid. I never realized how deeply it affected me until after the Javi disaster.
“Hopefully soon. I’m not getting any younger,” my mom said, sliding the invisible blade right between my ribs. I blushed and kept my eyes on my plate.
“I need more grandkids,” she added, laughing loud and hearty. The blade twisted deeper.
“You’ll get there,mija!” one of mytíosyelled. “You just have to dress to impress—and maybe not have so much attitude.”
I swallowed a barbed remark. Mexican culture could be so backward sometimes. Women were expected to be subservient, and I never had been—and never would be—okay with that.
“I think if she has to hide who she is, she’s not going to end up with anyone worthy of her,” Elliott said, dead serious.
I almost choked. For a second, I thought I’d imagined it.
“To date, her wedding gowns have brought in more money to Ever After than all the other designers combined,” he added. “I’d say she’s pretty damn successful, and I don’t think whether she’s married or has babies should define her.”
My heart stopped. Time froze. No one expected him to say that. Least of all me. How did he see that those offhand comments ripped open my deepest insecurities?
I swallowed hard and avoided his gaze. My mom gave me an apologetic look, and I managed a sad smile. Later, when it was time to clean up, I grabbed a giant trash bag and started collecting empty plates. Before long, someone fell into step beside me—Julián.
“So, I know this might seem sudden,” he said, “but I’d like to take you out sometime. If that’s something you’d be interested in? And I’m asking for me, not because of your aunt,” he clarified quickly.
I stared at him, shock written all over my face. “Too soon?” he asked.
“No, no. Just… unexpected.”
“You must not know how beautiful you are.” He said it so genuinely that for once, I almost believed it.
I was still processing when he pulled out his phone. “Yourtíagave me your number—I hope that’s okay. I’ll text you. Also, happy birthday.” He gave me a sweet smile before leaning in and placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
I was still standing there, jaw slightly open, when my phone buzzed in my back pocket. Before I could react, the trash bag was gently pulled from my hands. Elliott stepped in, tossing in a handful of plates—never breaking eye contact. The tension in his shoulders said more than he ever would. He’d heard andseen..
“Sorry, how rude of me. Elliott, this is Julián. Julián, Elliott.”
Morgan made her way over, her eyes flicking between us like she could feel the mess brewing. “Hey, can I borrow you for a sec?” she asked me.
“Yeah. Excuse me, guys.”
“What was that about?” Morgan asked once we were in the kitchen.
“He asked me out,” I said flatly.
A flicker of understanding passed over her face, followed by a small, knowing smile. But a second later, she was bolting for the nearest bathroom and retching into the toilet. I rushed in after her, pulling her hair back as she heaved.
“Did something not sit right with you?”
“It’s been like this for days,” she said after spitting into the sink.
“For days?” I repeated.
Her wide, pleading eyes met mine.
“I’m pregnant,” she said, just as I blurted, “You’re pregnant.”
seventeen
VANESSA
