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“Hi.” I didn’t realize how much I needed one of Nico’s bone-crushing hugs until now.
My godson peeks up at me with his big brown eyes. “I’vemissed you.”
Madrina:Godmother.
“I’ve missed you too.” I fight the darkness threatening to creep back in. “How’s my favorite godson doing?”
He giggles. “I’m your only godson.”
“For now.”
“No! You’re not allowed.” He squeezes my legs harder, and a soft laugh escapes me as he lets go of me in a rush.
“I’ve been playing the drums you got me for my birthday! They’re the best!” Nico smashes the air with an invisible set of drumsticks.
“Yeah, thanks for that one.” Rafa shoots me a look.
“Maybe I’ll have to get him an electric guitar and an amp for Christmas.”
Rafa’s eye twitches while Nico throws his fist in the air with a “Yes!”
Spoiling my godson comes naturally, although my last gifts have been delivered by courier rather than personally handed over. I know an expensive drum set or pricey guitar won’t make up for my absence, but Nico deserves the best regardless, especially after everything he and Rafa have been through.
I didn’t know Rafa’s ex-wife well, and not for lack of trying on my part, but I do know she didn’t make an effort to integrate with our family.
Rafa gets up from the couch and pulls me into a hug. “We’ve all missed you.”
My first attempt at an honest reply fails, so I stick to humor. “At least your manners didn’t disappear along with your fashion sense.”
My comment earns an eye roll from the surly man dressedin a flannel shirt, faded blue jeans, and a worn ball cap. On anyone else, I’d find the lumberjack-inspired outfit hideous, but on Rafa, it works, thanks to his good looks and muscle mass.
Rafa is basically my older brother, so I’d rather suffer through a stomach flu before calling him attractive, but that doesn’t stop all the women in town from stating it loudly.
He releases me from his hold. “How long do you plan on sticking around this time?”
“Not sure. Depends on a few things with work and stuff.”
“You’ll have to stop by our house and check out Nico’s drum set.”
Nico beams. “Yeah! You can watch me play them, and then we can build that special Lego set you got me—oh! You can meet Ellie too. She’s so nice, and pretty, and the coolest.”
“Who’s Ellie?” The crack in my voice betrays my emotions. As much as Iwantto spend time with my godson, I don’t feel remotely ready. Because being around Nico always made me yearn for my own family one day, and now…
“She’s my best friend!” Nico’s eyes light up.
“She’s hisnanny.” Something dark passes over Rafa’s face before he schools his features.
Mom said Rafa has changed since his divorce and Nico’s retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis, and the truth couldn’t be any more obvious given Rafa’s stern expression and haunted eyes.
Nico grins at me in a way that reminds me so much of hisfather, missing teeth aside. “Yeah, sure. Anyway, do you want to play a game with me andTío?”
Tío:Uncle.
I’m hit straight in the chest with a burst of anxiety. “Uh…”
“Please!” He presses his hands together.
“Well—” I choke on my reply.
