Page 18 of Twisted Beauty

“I come every week, Tito. I wanted you to meet my friend, Liv,” Katie said. “And I wanted to show her your wonderful shop.”

Tito put his hand on Liv’s shoulder. “Let me show you, mi hermosa niña.”

My beautiful girl. Matt pinched the bridge of his nose. There was no stopping Tito and his matchmaking once he got the idea in his head.

“How you know my grandson?” Tito guided Liv over to the nearest wall of shelves, where Matt couldn’t quite hear her answer.

He watched as Tito pointed out one book after another while Liv nodded. Matt wished he could see her expression, because they were facing the magic section. Books on the history of magic in Mexico, witchcraft, potions, and the like. Liv had damned well better show some respect for his grandfather’s beliefs, or she’d have him to answer to.

Sadie had only met Tito once, and she couldn’t have been more condescending if she’d tried. It was their one and only trip to Mexico together. The food wasn’t good enough, the streets weren’t clean enough, the people weren’t sophisticated enough. Even if she’d wanted to come back, which she absolutely didn’t, he wouldn’t have brought her. His family and friends here deserved better.

And his mother, well, she couldn’t seem to stomach Mexico at all. When his father moved back to help his family, she stayed behind in the US. She’d made up something trite about adult relationships being complicated, but even at twelve years old Matt knew it was bullshit. How could he not, when he saw the prejudice against Mexicans all around him every day?

“We still have tequila and beer left over from the barbecue,” Katie said, dragging his attention to her. “You want to come help us finish it sometime this week?”

Matt didn’t get a chance to answer before she launched into a story about one of her friends who was a DJ.

Tito escorted Liv from the bookshelves to the trinket tables to the figurines against the back wall. They paused for a little longer at the locked cases near the register, where the most intriguing items sat behind glass. Small, darkened bottles of magic potions, smudge sticks, and a whole variety of religious and mystical paraphernalia. All the things their visitors asked about most.

Katie said something about a dance club or some kind of party, and he nodded without having any idea what she’d told him. Because he was worried. His grandfather was obviously smitten with Liv, and if she insulted his work or his beliefs, Matt would have some damage control to do. Hadn’t he just finished cleaning up after the last group of tourists who’d bulldozed their way through?

Liv stopped at a statue of a colorful Aztec demon on one of the tables, and appeared to be asking a question. They talked for a few minutes and then Tito scooped up the statue and handed it to her.

“Katie,” she said with a grin on her face. “This one’s perfect for you. Maybe we should set it outside my bedroom to ward off that evil monstrosity in your hallway.” Liv carried it over and shoved it toward Katie, making her shriek and back into a table. Matt had to steady it to keep everything upright.

Both of them giggled, just like the teenage girls who were in earlier. Matt clutched the side of the table hard enough to turn his knuckles white. Did she think this was a game?

“Don’t you two have somewhere to be?” Matt said, trying to control his anger and hoping he simply sounded firm. He needed them to leave.

His grandfather scolded him in Spanish, and Matt sighed. He was not the one being rude. Did Tito not understand what was going on here?

“Actually, we do.” Katie glared at Matt before returning her attention to Tito. “We’re out exploring the area and Liv’s taking pictures. Livvy, show him some.”

“Not today. We have a shop to run, if you hadn’t noticed,” Matt said.

“Mateo.” His grandfather’s tone was sharp. Scolding.

“It’s okay, Tito,” Liv said. “Muchas gracias.” She wrapped him in a hug and Matt had to stop himself from tearing her away. “Thank you for showing me your shop. Es maravilloso! I’ll come back and visit you another day, if that’s okay.”

“Sí, I love it.”

“Maybe when your grumpy grandson isn’t here.” Katie nudged Matt with her elbow.

He folded his arms and shifted out of her reach.

Liv glanced over at him and furrowed her brow, as if she didn’t understand why he’d be protecting his own family. Or why he’d have a problem with someone ridiculing Tito’s entire life’s work. Well, he had a big fucking problem with it.

“Good idea, Katie.” Liv smiled sweetly at his grandfather, which would not in any way make up for her behavior today. “See you soon, Tito.”

“Sí. You are always welcome en mi casa,” Tito said. “You come with my Katerina.”

Matt kept his mouth shut. But this girl would not be making fun of El Brujo Loco again if he had anything to say about it. And he’d make sure that he did.

He stared after the two women as they walked up the street and disappeared around a corner, knowing damn well that Katie would find a way to turn this around and make him look like the bad guy to Zach. He’d simply have to set the record straight. This was about family, and he was not going to allow yet another American woman with an overblown sense of entitlement to disrupt his.

Tito made a grunting sound and Matt turned to see him settling back into his chair behind the register. He braced himself for another lecture on patience and customer service.

“You make Tito happy, Mateo,” Tito said in his gravelly voice, smiling. “For you, we find the right girl. Finalmente.”