I chuckled, tears escaping my eyes. I didn’t know what was happening, and nothing she said was making sense, but I let her keep going.
“I wouldn’t even care if you were unemployed. I’m in love with who you are as a person. I didn’t mean any of those things I said, and it wasn’t right of me to say them. I’m so sorry I hurt you. I think I was just scared and didn’t want to seem unqualified to do my job. To me, it seems weak to ask for or accept help.”
I shook my head. “It’s not, Vera. It doesn’t mean you’re weak at all. You’re right, we are so different, but I think that’s why we worked so well together and why I did fall in love with you. You’ve shown me how to live life and not just exist in it. I appreciate your apology, but I’m still really angry about the things you said. Those were the fears I’ve had our entire relationship, and to think you felt the same doesn’t sit right with me.”
She nodded. “I understand. The next move is yours and I fully support whatever decision you make. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am. I am so insanely in love with you, and I will do whatever it takes to prove that to you. I’ll wear your masquerade dress to work if it means I got to keep you.”
I laughed at that image. “While that does sound entertaining, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Before I could say anymore, her grandmother came back with a bright smile on her face. “Does this mean you forgave my Veronica? Did you two work things out?”
I looked at Vera and noticed our hands were still joined together. I wanted to let go, but at the same time, I didn't. It felt so good to be touching a part of her again.
Vera shook her head. “I’m not sure she’s forgiven me just yet.”
“Well, did you tell her how silly you were being and how much you love her?”
She nodded. “I did. I told her I was so stupid and regret everything I said. That I didn’t mean it and I’m so in love with her.”
“I know my granddaughter, mija. She’s telling the truth. She doesn’t admit her faults easily. She’s stubborn like her father was, but she has the heart of gold to make up for it.”
I looked into Vera’s eyes and saw everything her grandmother said. She was stubborn sometimes, but man, was her heart bigger than anyone I knew.
“I see that. Are you saying I’d be a fool to let her go? Because my parents didn’t raise a fool. They taught me to hold on to the good things in life.”
“Always listen to your parents, dear.”
I smiled and took a step closer to Vera, who was still looking at me and hadn’t said a word. It was truly my decision about what happened next. “You are one of the really good things in my life, Vera.”
“Don’t just stand there, Veronica. She is choosing you. Kiss her!”
Vera and I laughed and I shrugged. “Aren’t you supposed to listen to your elders?”
Vera cupped the side of my face and smiled. I leaned into the touch, not realizing just how much I’d missed it.
“Si. Bésame, princesa.”
I smiled and wasted no time crashing our mouths together. I felt like I was at home. All of my racing thoughts stopped abruptly when she kissed me. It was short, but it meant everything to me.
When we parted, her grandmother was gone again. “I think we scared her off,” Vera said with a soft chuckle.
I grabbed her shirt, drawing her closer to me. “Béseme, Vera Elena.”
“¡Ay dios mío! You know I love it when you speak Spanish.” She connected our lips again and the rest of the world faded away. Our kiss lasted for a few more seconds before her grandmother came back and we sat down to finish our dinner.
We all sat in a comfortable silence and Vera didn’t take her eyes off me the entire time. We both exchanged looks and winks, and I couldn’t contain my smile.
I didn’t know how we’d gotten here. How we’d gone from strangers sharing a night together, to two people head over heels in love with each other, ready for whatever the future held. Life had thrown a lot at me over the years, but it seemed to finally be giving me a break. I had an amazing job, a loving group of friends, and I had Vera. I was truly happy. Finally.
Chapter 44
A FEW MONTHS LATER
Cara
“Yes. Hold it just like that. Good girl.”
I turned around and deadpanned. “Vera. You cannot whisper something like that into my ear when I’m holding a weapon. Dangerous things can happen!”
