Chapter 19 #2
The meeting question was my favorite. Cara’s face turned white and I forced my eyes not to roll.
I had told my grandmother all of those things, except how we met.
She hadn’t asked until now and I tried to find an appropriate answer.
I didn’t think “we met at a speed dating event and had a one-night stand,” was going to be welcomed.
“I’m thirty-three. Vera’s doing the construction outside of my building. Her team is also working on a section of my office building, and she’s been doing some work on my home office as well. And yes, we are just friends.”
My abuela just nodded, thankfully not asking anything more than that.
I wiped the bead of sweat from my brow and returned to my plate.
I had to admit, it felt really good to hear her admit that we were friends.
That’s better than a one-night stand she regretted.
I was making my way up to girlfriend. Slowly, but surely.
“Also, thank you for inviting me over for dinner. It’s delicious.”
My abuela smiled. “Of course, dear. I had to meet the woman my granddaughter’s been giving all of her food to. She never shares my cooking, so you must be very special to her.”
My cheeks flushed and I looked toward Cara, hoping she didn’t freak out. While all of that was true, I didn’t want her to read too much into it.
The look she gave me wasn’t one of fear or irritation. Her eyes were crinkled and her smile was soft and genuine. She turned back to my abuela. “I’d like to think so.”
She placed her hand on my leg and lightly squeezed, causing my brain to malfunction. Her hand was on me. She was touching a part of me and her friends weren’t around. What was happening? It was just a friendly gesture, right? Right.
“So, Cara, what’s been going on in your life besides work? Surely you do something else to fill your time?”
Cara nodded. “Of course, ma’am. I do work a lot, but I love reading in my spare time, and working out when I can. But I’m headed to Bali soon. My best friend is getting married. Vera is actually accompanying me. I’m not sure if she told you or not.”
“Reading is a good hobby to have. It makes sense, considering your job. And yes, she did tell me. Bali looks like a beautiful place. You’ll keep her in line, won’t you?”
Cara’s hand drew circles across my leg before it disappeared. “Yes, Ma’am. I will do my best. I tend to keep her in check pretty well.” She looked at me and smiled.
I smiled back, unable to hide it. I loved just watching her interacting with my abuela. No one else I’d brought home had been allowed to call her by her first name, so that was one point in the “Cara is perfect” category.
The next point was awarded when she offered, more than once, to help with dinner.
And the final point, now, when she was touching me as she spoke to my grandmother.
She just fit. Into my life, into the conversation with my abuela, so perfectly.
She held her own in the conversation while genuinely seeming interested in what my abuela was saying, too.
I was so gone for this woman, and I didn’t even have her…
yet. I was nudging my way in there one day at a time.
“Don’t be rude, Mija. Give the beautiful woman a tour.”
“Oh, yes, please. Your home is so lovely.”
I smiled and stood up. “Okay, follow me, please.”
She had already gotten a small tour when we walked in from the living room to the dining room, but I showed her the kitchen and bathroom before we headed upstairs.
She looked at all of the pictures on the walls, from my soccer game days, to my graduation picture, to even my embarrassing prom picture. She chuckled softly at that one.
“There’s another bathroom in there, and my abuela’s room is right there.”
“And whose room is that?”
She pointed to a closed door next to the bathroom. The one I purposefully avoided. On top of being embarrassing, I didn’t want her to think I was trying anything.
“That’s my childhood bedroom. Let’s get back downstairs.” I made my way to turn around but she grabbed my wrist, making my pulse jump and heart race.
I slowly turned around before she removed her hand from my skin, causing a cold chill to arrive from the loss of contact.
“I want to see it,” she said softly.
I raised an eyebrow. “You do?”
She nodded. “I do. It’s a part of you, and I’m curious who you used to be.”
I looked at her for another beat, forcing myself not to grab her and kiss her. Goddamn, she was so beautiful in that moment. I cleared my throat and opened the door.
I expected her to laugh, tease me, anything other than what I got. She was quiet. Walking slowly around the room. Taking in every picture, every award, every inch of who I was growing up.
Finally, she stopped at my bedside table and grazed her fingers along the picture frame that sat there. A picture of me and my abuela when I graduated high school. The only Rojas that showed up for me. Ever.
“Did you grow up here?” she asked.
I nodded. “I did. When we lost my dad, I was thirteen. My mom couldn’t handle it, apparently, so she took my four brothers and left me and my abuela alone. The boys came back, except Carlos, but we still see each other.”
“Is she still alive?”
I shrugged. “I assume so. I haven’t talked to her since she left, nor do I care to. She hasn’t reached out either. My abuela has been the only mother figure I need.
She walked closer and my heart stopped. I had never been vulnerable like that with someone, and here Cara was, just looking at me, and I was telling her my whole sad life story.
There was just something about that woman that made me feel safe around her, and I hoped, in return, she felt the same way.
I wanted nothing more than to keep her safe.
“Thank you for showing me all of this, for letting me into your life a little bit. Your mom doesn’t know what she’s missing.” Her voice was soft and gentle.
“Of course, princesa. Thank you for listening. And I’m sorry if my abuela got too personal. I told her we were just friends, but you know how well old people listen.”