AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I hate him, but I don’t. It’s strange. He’s good for you, perfect for you, and I’m glad you found him, but I hate that you did. I think, secretly, we get along, but if given the chance, we’d kill each other over you.”
She looked away, exhaling to cover a nervous laugh. “Whatever. And, by the way, I’m flattered about what you said earlier, but my situation and your mother’s do not compare.”
“Seeing your mother die is trauma.”
“I forgot I told you about that.”
“Funny how that works, hmm? My pain, you remember. Yours, you forget.” He took a sip. “Meu Deus. My god, this is how they make it in Brazil.”
“So, truth time,” she said. “I put myself out to learn after you made it for me. Scoured the internet. It took months before I perfected it.”
But, by then, he’d already left.
Maybe she did stare down the hallway, hoping he forgot something and would show up, even if only for a short time. Maybe she did find herself making hot chocolate, hoping she’d one day be able to tell him she’d gotten it to taste close to as good as his did.
It was possible he’d wedged himself into the lonely gap Curtis’ death had created. While he was there, he softened her pain, and when he disappeared, she was starting to realize that she’d ached for him.
Adrían smiled. “I’m realizing now that I made you hot chocolate. InHawaii.”
“It was a sweet gesture. I mean, you made me multiple things.Brigadeiros, fried bananas. That pumpkin stew.”
“Quibebe.We made that together.”
“I remember.”
At least, now she did.
“But it’s neither the most delicious nor beautiful thing we’ve ever made together,” he added.
She lowered her gaze.
He groaned. “I’m sorry, Ayesha. I swear I’m working on it, but it’s been so long since I’ve had you this close to me. You don’t know how badly I want to hold you again. Kiss you. Wipe your tears.”
She’d cried about Curtis while in Adrían’s arms—several times. On more than one of those occasions, he’d wiped her tears and kissed the damp trails they left behind on her cheeks.
Theo had a onesie with a Brazilian flag on the chest he brought back after a “business trip.” Despite never meeting her oldest son, Adrían bought Josiah’s first soccer ball. Once, she fell asleep at his place, in his bed, and Curtis’ hair tie slipped from her wrist. Unbeknownst to him, she’d woken up and watched as he slipped it back on before kissing each of her fingers.
How did she forget so much?
How could she forget any details about someone who’d treated her with such tenderness?
“It’s okay, Ayesha,” he said. “It’s okay if you don’t remember. I don’t mind. Honestly. Grief is powerful. I grew up staunchly Catholic, and my grief was strong enough to kill God.”
She looked up into his eyes.
He smiled, his expression softening.
“I never offered my heart until I met you,” he continued. “And you treasured it. Respected it. Querida, I don’t want it back. Please keep it. I know it’ll be safe with you. But I’ll stop there. I know your husband’s listening in his sleep.”
She smiled and glanced at the empty staircase. “Yeah, my honey’s always listening where you’re concerned.”
“He can trust you.”
“Because he knows how much I love him.” She gestured to the patio. “Want to sit?”
He nodded and followed her to the warm outdoor living space. They were out in what would be considered “the boonies” back in the States, so stars winked at them through the glass panes, the sky a clear blue-black.
“Did you know I was coming?” Adrían asked, pointing at the patio heaters.
