Chapter twenty-nine
The Oasis
Summer 1922
Did you smile?
“Y ou’re back?” Carlos asked, although he wouldn’t admit, he’d been looking forward to seeing her. He told himself not to think about her, but she had a way of slipping into his mind.
“Of course, I’m back. Did you miss me?” She sat beside him
“No.” Lies .
“You’re such a liar.” She laughed, setting a small basket between them.
Carlos shook his head. “Why are you here?”
“Well, I missed you. And I brought lunch.” She pointed to the basket.
“Why?” he asked, his brow lifting.
“Why did I miss you? Because I like being here. With you. I can be myself,” she said with a shrug. “And why did I bring you lunch? To thank you for my bird.”
Her words stirred something in his chest, fluttering in a way he couldn’t quite place—like the carved bird he’d given her. He glanced at her briefly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
“You’re smiling,” Catalina said suddenly, leaning closer to him, her eyes narrowing.
Carlos’s face quickly turned back into his regular frown. “No, I’m not.”
“You did! I saw it!” she said, her finger pointing at him as her grin widened. “I finally made you smile!”
Carlos shook his head, trying to suppress the tug at his lips. “You’re imagining things.”
“I’m not,” she teased, sitting back with a dramatic sigh. “And you know what? You’re more handsome when you smile.”
Carlos stiffened slightly, his hazel eyes darting to hers. Her boldness caught him off guard, and his face warmed. “You’re exhausting.”
“Am I?” She tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Admit it, Carlos—you’re starting to like me.”
Catalina leaned closer, her voice dropping to something gentler. “It’s okay. I like you, too, and your broodiness.”
Carlos’s hand stilled again as he stared at her. Not with the irritation he tried to cling to, but with something softer. Something he wasn’t ready to name.
“What am I gonna do with you?” He chuckled.
“Do that again,” Catalina said, her eyes lighting up.
Carlos raised an eyebrow. “Do what?”
“Laugh,” she said, leaning forward like she was trying to catch another glimpse of it. “Oh my God, your laugh—it’s beautiful.”
“Stop saying stuff like that,” he muttered, but the faint blush creeping up his neck betrayed him.
“I’m serious!” Catalina insisted, a wide grin spreading across her face. “You should do it more often.”
Carlos glanced at her, the corner of his mouth twitching again despite himself.
“You’re ridiculous,” he said, but this time, there was no heat in his voice.