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“All the De La Fuente’s are married anyway.” She chuckles. “They are betting on how long it takes Blake, Felicity’s brother, and his physical therapist, Violet, to finally get together.”
I laugh. “I take it the attraction between them is obvious?”
“To everyone except them.” She looks thoughtful. “To be honest, I think it’s Blake holding them back.” She shrugs. “He was hit by a car that left him paralyzed from the hips down so he’s in a wheelchair. He thinks he doesn’t have anything to offer anyone and I know he’s struggling with depression because of it all...I don’t know if they’ll make it, but I really hope they do. It’s obvious how much they care about each other.”
“So there’s even more extended family then?”
“There is.” She pulls into a driveway and my heart hits my toes. “Don’t look so nervous. You’re only going to be meeting Diego and my mom.”
“They’re the important ones, Andie,” I grumble and climb out of the car when Andie does.
The minute we do a man about my height with broad shoulders and a huge grin approaches. The minute Andie realizes he’s there, she runs straight into his arms. The man wraps his arms around her and holds her tightly—and yes, a bout of jealousy curls in my stomach.
Andie looks giddy as she drags the man who I presume to be Diego, by the hand to where I’m standing. She lets go of him and wraps her arm around my waist, snuggling into my side. My arm rests on her shoulders, as I hold my hand out to the man.
“You must be Diego.”
He takes my outstretched hand. “And you must be Sawyer Lawrence, her Professor.”
My stomach drops, but Andie waves him away. “Diego, you promised to behave.”
Diego grins. “I’m behaving, but it’s the stepfather’s prerogative to put the boyfriend on the spot.”
Andie reaches up and kisses my cheek. “I love him Diego, so please give me a break okay. It’s taken a while to get us to this point. I don’t need you pointing out the obvious.”
“Andie, it’s okay.” I kiss her on the forehead and slip my hand into hers and face Diego. “I do have something to say about your comment, but I’d rather say it once, so I’ll wait until your wife is present.”
A few seconds later, he nods and I’m sure I see respect in his gaze. “Rae’s waiting inside.”
“Impatiently,” we hear shouted.
Diego laughs. “She’s been told to rest up. The heat and her age,” he whispers, “doesn’t go well with high blood pressure.”
“She’s okay though, right?” Andie asks, her voice strained with worry as she moves toward him.
“If she does what the doctor orders then yes.” Diego pulls her back into his arms. “She’s going to be fine, Andie. The last thing she’d want is for you to worry about her.”
Pulling back Andie looks worried but resigned. “She’s stubborn.”
“There is nothing wrong with my hearing.”
Andie laughs and dashes into the house leaving me to follow behind Diego who seems eager to get to his wife.
I’m surprised when I see her because she’s nothing like I expected, and certainly doesn’t look old enough to be Andie’s mom, sister maybe.
The small redhead with a large pregnant belly, looks me over from feet to head before she grins and pats her daughters hand. “You’ve done good, honey.”
“I know.” Andie beams up at me from her position on the sofa with her mom.
Diego hovers and it’s obvious that he wants to sit with his wife, which Andie gets. She jumps up and tugs me onto the sofa opposite. “All you had to tell me was to move over, Diego.”
“Rae’s been excited to see you so I wasn’t about to do that.”
Both women laugh. “Honey, you’re about as subtle as your mother.”
He rolls his eyes but not before I catch the wince he can’t hide. “Let’s not get into that.”
Rae settles into his arms and after Diego kisses her on the top of her head, he prompts, “So, you have something to say.”
