Chapter 34
TOMáS
It’s been a week since the wedding, and life has been interesting, to say the least. As soon as we landed back in New York, I turned my phone off airplane mode to multiple voicemails and emails from Ralph ordering me into the office immediately.
I already knew what it was pertaining to.
Power-hungry douchebags with fragile egos like Michael Tesoro don’t take kindly to being confronted with the truth.
I knew the second I went off on Sarina’s dad, I killed any chance Tesoro Development Group had on working with Turner & Vize. And I couldn’t care less.
Ralph was, of course, furious, and when he suggested I take a week to regroup so I can come back to work focused, I didn’t fight him on it. Truthfully, I’ve spent so long focusing on work that right now the only thing I care about is figuring out where me and Sarina stand.
My speech in front to her dad, in front of everyone listening, wasn’t for show.
It was the truth.
My truth.
And as she went directly to her apartment and hasn’t been responding to my texts or calls, I’m afraid I scared her away with it.
“So did Sarina get fired?” Tino asks mid-plating.
I feel bad for bothering him at work on one of the busiest nights of the week at his restaurant, but I needed to talk to him, and since work rules both of our lives, sometimes it requires you to multitask.
“No, she quit.”
Lorena, who has been clearly eavesdropping, rounds the corner. “Have you seen her?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I need to give her space.”
Lorena scoffs.
“What? You disagree?”
“Umm, yeah,” Tino and Lorena say in unison, exchanging a look.
“But she said she needed to clear her head.”
Lorena sets down the clipboard in her hand and walks us over to a less hectic part of the kitchen so we can talk without shouting over the ruckus of pots and pans clanging.
“Dad did good with you. He really taught you how to be responsible and respectful.”
“Thank you?” I know my sister. I feel an insult or a “but” coming on.
“But, you are too much of a rule follower.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“In life, no. Mostly. But in love? Eh.”
“Eh?”
“Yes, Tomás. Eh. As in, not so much. From what Sarina has told me, albeit way more than what I wish I knew. But as much as you are all about consent, which is amazing, I think you’re waiting for her permission or the perfect timing, or I don’t know what, to find out how she feels about you. Am I right?”
I shrug. “Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t want to push her.”
“Tomás. Spontaneous wedding or not, her name is Sarina Ramos. It’s on the fucking marriage certificate.”
“Yeah, but that…”
“But that nothing. Listen, I’ve learned a lot about Sarina in the past few weeks that I had no clue about in the years I’ve been friends with her. But one thing I do know, and I’ve always known, is that she runs when things feel too real.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” I lovingly make a jab at my sister.
“You love her, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
“Then tell her.”
I was planning on asking her out this week. Backward as it is. In the whirlwind that has been our relationship, we’ve never gone out on a proper date. I wanted to change that and maybe be able to see where we stand with each other in the process.
I need to know.
But the reality of our arrangement creeps up on me. The strings holding us together —the deal we made— is no more.
“But what if she doesn’t love me back?” I ask, unable to bear the thought of that being true.
“I doubt that.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because she sounded disappointed when Gabriella and I asked her if you two figured out how to proceed with the divorce.”
My stomach drops. “Why would you ask her that?”
“Because you two skipped dating and got married?” Lorena shrugs.
“Did you ask her in person?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Was she wearing a ring?”
“Yeah.” Lorena goes on to describe her grandmother’s ring.
It gives me hope. I know it shouldn’t. That ring has nothing to do with me. It was her grandmother’s. Owed to her. But the look on her face when I slid it on, that look had everything to do with me. I know it did.
“Okay, thanks,” I say just as my phone vibrates. “I have to take this.”
Nosey as ever, Lorena looks at the caller ID on my phone, recognizing the name.
“Tomás, why is your ex calling you?”
“Don’t worry, it has to do with Sarina.”
“Oh my god, are you planning a threesome with your ex and Sarina? If you weren’t my brother, I’d say that’s hot.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but no,” I say, not wanting to disclose that the only person I want to be with is Sarina. It sounds too vulnerable. “She just owes me a favor. But can you do me a favor? If Sarina calls you in the next hour or so, can you not answer.”
Lo’s expression is the equivalent to daggers being thrown. “Umm, why?”
“I’ll explain soon, just promise, okay?”
She scoffs. “You’re being shady.”
“Come on, Lo, look at those puppy dog eyes Tomás has going on right now, I’m sure whatever reason he has to be shady, is justified.” Tino cuts in, quirking a brow at me. “Right?”
“Yes, it is.” I hope.
Reluctantly, my sister agrees. I waste no more time after saying goodbye to them, to call my ex, Rosa back.
“Did you finish it?”
“Yes, it’s ready to be installed. Where do you want it?”
“I’ll text you the address once I get permission to proceed.”
Old habits die hard, I guess. I know what my sister said, and I agree. But I’m about to take a huge risk and I want to make sure everything is perfect.
I already did things out of order by marrying Sarina before truly getting to know her.
And now that I do, I want her to know exactly what I’d do for her to remain mine.
Even if the greatest risk of all, is the real possibility that she doesn’t feel the same.