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I stepped closer, and her nostrils flared, the slightest gasp escaping her pretty lips when I invaded her personal space. “That wasn't my intention,” I said. She was statue-still. “Don't be mad.” I brushed her cheek, ghosting down to her jaw. I didn't have the right to touch her, but I took the liberty anyway. Her skin was soft. It was a mistake to touch her, but I didn't want to stop.
“I'm not angry,” Holly said softly, briefly closing her eyes. “It's just frustrating when he wants something, and it's not possible for me to give it to him.”
“Tell me why you can't have a dog,” I coaxed, fingering the ends of her fine silky hair.
“Because it's all I can handle raising my son. A dog is too much responsibility. Maybe when he gets older, we can do it, but not now.”
She was resolute. I admired that she knew what she could and couldn’t do, and she wasn't afraid to voice that. I felt an unexpected obligation to take some of the responsibility off her shoulders. I was also incredibly surprised she hadn’t batted my hand away the minute I touched her.
“You two coming?” Mulaney popped her head out of the kitchen, winking at us.
Holly fidgeted with her headband as a blush crept up her neck, and I gestured for her to lead the way. I strode into the kitchen behind her to the end of the buffet line to wait my turn. Muriella was helping Gabriel choose the pieces of pizza he wanted, and he only fussed a little when she put salad on his plate. Miss Ruby nestled him into a chair between her and Mrs. Jacobs, the two women doting on Gabriel like he was a prince.
There were several conversations going on, and I was transported back to a time before Mama died, when life had been like this: full of family and food and laughter. Our large family would get together every week at the compound, where there was room for everyone. The men talked business while the women gossiped, and the children played. I knew only bits and pieces of the family I had beyond my sister. When Mama had been so brutally killed, life stopped. The house became a tomb, our own personal living hell.
“Carlos?” Holly's voice drew me from my thoughts.
I'd shuffled to the island, and it was my turn to fill a plate. Holly offered me a spatula. “Thanks.” Our fingers brushed as I took it. Holly yanked her hand back, and without another word, moved down the line, finding a space to eat along the wall of cabinets across from the island.
Needing distance, I went to the living room in search of Muriella. She was sitting in her chair. Stone was perched on the ottoman at her feet with a plate piled with pizza and salad on his lap.
“Carlos, come over here,” she called, patting the wide arm of her chair. Our father had made himself at home in that chair. Flicked his cigar ashes on the carpet as if my sister's home wasn't sacred. As if it meant nothing to him.Shemeant nothing to him.
Muriella's expression darkened, and I realized my thoughts must be transparent, so I tried to put a more pleasant look on my face. I couldn't stand to rob her of one second of her happiness. “Looks delicious,” I said, lifting my plate a little as I settled beside her.
“What were you and Holly talking about?” She certainly didn’t hold back her curiosity.
“Don't beat around the bush, darlin',” Stone said. She gave him a reproachful look, and then he dived toward her, pressing a kiss to her mouth.
“She accused me of using you to get her and Gabriel here, and she's unhappy about the dog situation. But I think we've reached a temporary truce.” What the hell? If everyone was going to be in my business, then I was going to come out with it.
“Mr. Carlos,” Gabriel said, hurrying across the room toward me.
“Hey, Gabriel.”
His big eyes blinked in anticipation. “I'm ready to look at puppy stuff again,” he announced solemnly.
“How did you eat so fast?” I asked, taking a bite of my pizza. He shrugged. “As soon as I'm finished, we'll start.”
“Gabriel, my tablet is charged and ready on the coffee table,” Muriella said.
“Thank you, Miss Muriella.”
“What did you do today?” I asked.
“Laundry. Cleaning. A bath.”
“No Legos today?”
He brightened, and I smiled, though I didn't know why. “I forgot. We started a space shuttle.”
“Well, that sounds pretty cool.”
I had just shoved the last bite of crust into my mouth when Muriella grabbed my plate off my lap. “You sit here,” she instructed, rising and prodding Stone to get up with her eyes.
I didn't immediately move.
“You're better off doing what she says,” Stone advised as he stood.
