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"Can't hurt to try," she replies with a shrug. "Besides, you owe it to yourself–and to Carmen–to be the best possible version of yourself."
I nod slowly, considering her suggestion. "I'll think about it," I say, the first glimmer of hope igniting within me. Perhaps there's still a chance to win Maddie back by showing her I'm willing to change.
"Good," Gina says with a nod, satisfied with my response. "Now, lighten up. Have some fun. Go out on the town."
"Thanks, Gina," I say gratefully. Maybe, just maybe, there's still hope for Maddie and me after all.
Chapter twenty-nine
Maddie
I gather up my things after my yoga class ends. It’s Friday and tonight, I’m meeting with Norah and Jacob for a drink at one of our usual haunts.
Be right there, I text to Norah and hurry to shower and change.
When I step outside into the still humid air, I’m surprised to find Roland standing there, not Norah and Jacob.
“Roland?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says as he turns and smiles at me. I am immediately struck by how good-looking the man is. It’s impossible not to smile back.
“I am meeting Norah and Jacob,” I say, still confused.
“About that… I convinced them to take care of Damien so I could have a chat with you.”
“Oh,” I say, too stunned to think of something else. Why is he here?
“Listen, I know I owe you an apology. I got frightened after I found out about Brett and Sofia. I came to realize that Brett meant no harm and really wasn’t out to get me. It’s just, growing up with my mom I got used to people shifting and changing for no reason, and not in a good way. It left me… broken, in some ways, I suppose or just closed off. That’s why, two weeks ago, I started therapy. Once the trial was over, I realized I wanted to create a better life for myself and Carmen. And I missed you. A lot. I just didn’t know how to apologize. I still don’t. I lost my mind for a while, but that’s no apology. That’s why I’m in therapy. To ensure it doesn’t happen again. And I was wondering if perhaps you’d be willing to give me a second chance. Go on a date with me tonight?”
Roland is as irresistible as ever, his deep baritone voice and his solid-as-a-rock muscled frame are the same, yet, he seems vulnerable now standing in front of me asking for a second chance.
I hesitate. I know that Roland has a good heart. I just don’t want to be pushed to the side whenever something difficult happens to him.
“Come on,” he says, with a soft smile, “just one date.”
As he smiles at me, my stomach does weird things and I realize I still have feelings for him. It’s impossible not to.
“All right, one date.”
"Trust me, Maddie, this place is amazing," Roland says as he leads me down a narrow alleyway. His beard glistens under the soft city lights, and I can't stop myself from thinking about how handsome he looks tonight.
"El Corazón?" I read the glowing neon sign skeptically as we approach the entrance. Despite my reservations, I'm secretly excited to see where Roland spent his carefree student days.
"Absolutely," Roland grins, opening the door for me. "Just wait."
As soon as we step inside, warmth envelops us. The air is thick with laughter, the smell of sizzling meat, and the sound of mariachi music. It's like being transported into another world–one filled with joy and camaraderie.
"Roland!" a plump woman behind the counter exclaims, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him. "It's been too long!"
"Rosa, you haven't aged a day since I last saw you," Roland replies smoothly, earning a playful smack from the woman. Their exchange momentarily reveals his softer side, which is normally hidden beneath that brash exterior.
"Who's your lovely friend?" Rosa asks, eyeing me curiously.
"I'm Maddie," I introduce myself. "Nice to meet you."
"Any friend of Roland's is a friend of mine," she says warmly. Then she winks at me. "He and his friends have paid many of my bills by drinking too much of our tequila."
I laugh, as does Roland. "Hey, it's my friends, not me," Roland protests.
