Cara laughed and nodded. “I did, actually. Yes.”
I looked at her. She knew what it meant? And she wasn’t phased by it? Did she just think Lia was being a silly kid, or was she genuinely okay with my little niece’s assumption?
I wasn’t dumb enough to ask, so I watched as Lia took Cara’s hand and led her to the field without another word.
My brother was right, I had it so bad for her. How could I not? She was fucking perfect, inside and out. Watching her kick the soccer ball around with my niece and hearing her laugh and look like she was genuinely enjoying herself, I was falling more in love with her the longer I watched her. It may have been crazy to think, but I could imagine our own son or daughter out there with Cara, practicing their kicks and blocks.
“Lia loves her, V. I’m sure Cara’s going to be the topic of conversation the entire ride home.” Esteban’s words caused me to shake away those terrifying thoughts and look at him. I was afraid to envision my life with Cara in general, but with kids? Work was her life. Would she make time for a wife and children someday? I didn’t want to ask. I was afraid of the answer.
I laughed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We love her too. I can’t speak for Miguel, because he has a stick up his ass, apparently, but she seems good for you.” He shrugged.
Miguel rolled his eyes and turned to me. “I’m sorry, baby sister.”
“For what?” I asked.
“For judging her too quickly. Seeing you two together and seeing her out there with my baby girl, I can see she’s good for you. She seems like she’s got a good head on her shoulders. I just hope she doesn’t break your heart.
“Yeah. Me too.”
On the way back to Cara’s house, she spent the entire time raving about my family and how much fun she had. She did admit that she wondered if Miguel liked her.
“Who wouldn’t love you? He’s just a protective brother. He’s latino. It’s sort of in his DNA.”
She laughed but didn’t say anything more. That was the closest I could get to telling her how I felt. I wanted to tell her, but I was scared. I didn’t want to scare her off.
“I’m sorry about the whole marriage and tía thing. You know how kids can be.” I laughed nervously.
She grabbed my hand and smiled. “It’s okay, really. It was nice to feel included… Like part of the family.” She shrugged.
I didn’t dare let my thoughts think about what she meant by that. I kissed her hand and focused on getting her home safely.
Chapter Thirty-Five
VERA
“Yes, Eloise. I already told Stacy to make those changes before it goes to the editor. No, I can’t call them for an extension. It needs to be done. We all have deadlines for a reason… Okay, bye.”
Cara hung up the phone and sighed. “Sorry, babe. Work today is just— This is Cara.”
Cara had been answering phone call after phone call for the past hour with no signs of slowing down. She gave me a sympathetic look, but I waved her off, going to make her a cup of tea. She looked like she could use something stronger, but it was only just after noon.
“Yes, Jen. I’ll send that over right now.” She hung up the phone and practically sank into the couch, immediately picking her phone back up.
I’d had enough. Cara had been working nonstop since she woke up this morning. If she didn’t take a break, she’d burn out, and I couldn’t allow that.
I walked over to where she sat on the couch and took her phone from her, praying that she didn’t bite my arm off in the process. I was really testing the waters with this, but I felt like I had to do something. She worked too damn hard.
“Hey! What are you doing? I was in the middle of replying to a work email!”
“I’m getting you out of the house. You are taking the day off, and you’re going to enjoy this beautiful weather and my spectacular company.”
“Vera, I really need to reply to that email. I’ve been waiting for it to come in for two weeks. Just let me finish up and then we’ll go do whatever you want, okay?”
She reached out her hand, like she thought I’d just give in. She had a point, because I really wanted to. I hated denying her anything, but I had to stand my ground. She’d thank me for it later. I hoped.
I shook my head and put the phone in my pocket. “No, princesa. You work too hard and you’re always on your phone. There will always be an email that needs to be answered, or a phone call that needs to be made.”
