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“Make it thirty minutes. And ditch the underwear.”
“Deal.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Julian
ONE WEEK LATER
For the first time, I hosted Christmas Eve with my mom’s and Dahlia’s help. The last time all of us were together at my house for the holidays was before my dad died, so I’m a bit overwhelmed when everyone floods my kitchen bright and early in the morning with supplies to make tamales.
Cooking is a whole-day production filled with music, laughter, and too many embarrassing stories from all of our childhoods. By the time we finish dinner and the clock hits midnight, an antsy Nico drags us all toward the living room to open presents.
My godson tears at the wrapping paper with more speed than a superhero, revealing his gift. He squeals before jumping into my arms. “You’re the besttíoever!”
Dahlia plucks the Formula 1 VIP paddock passes from thefloor. “Nice choice.”
“You could have been the bestmadrinaever,” I tease.
When I mentioned going fifty-fifty on Nico’s gift this year, Dahlia scoffed and told me there was no way she would go cheap on her godson.
We may be dating now, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up our competition anytime soon, she said.
I should have expected a response like that from her after spending eight years trying to one-up each other with our presents, but I was still surprised.
She nudges me with her hip. “Don’t count me out of the competition yet.”
I don’t know how she will top my gift. After spending a month hearing Nico talk about his favorite Mexican driver, Elías Cruz, I knew I had to get him a VIP behind-thescenes pass for Christmas. Although he is a relatively new fan of Formula 1 thanks to his nanny, Ellie, who watches races religiously, he has quickly become a superfan.
“Good luck topping that.” I kiss the top of Dahlia’s head before taking a seat on the couch.
“I got one for you and Ellie too.” I toss Rafa the gift I kept hidden behind the couch until Nico opened his.
“One for Ellie? Why?” Rafa scowls.
“Um…because Nico said she’s going on the summer trip with you?”
The vein in my cousin’s neck looks ready to burst as he stares at his son. “Is that right?”
“You said I could do whatever I wanted.” Nico places the VIP lanyard around his neck.
“I said you coulddowhatever you wanted. Notinvitewhoever you wanted.”
“I want todocool stuff with Ellie, so she has to come. Duh!” Nico poses beside me while my mom snaps a photo of us.
Lily laughs. “He got you there.”
Rafa’s eye twitches as he pulls out two more paddock passes from the gift bag and grumbles a quickthanks. Everyone knows he will go along with whatever Nico wants so long as it makes his son happy, including taking his nanny on a summerlong trip around the world, even if he hates every second of it.
“You’re welcome for the tickets. Be sure to send us photos and videos of Nico and Ellie freaking out.” I wink.
He brushes his eyebrow with his middle finger.
“Please. No fighting on Christmas Eve.” My mom tsks.
“Sorry, Ma,” Rafa and I say at the same time.
“My turn,” Dahlia announces as she passes Nico a small, wrapped box. “Here you go.”
