Chapter 52
CECILIA
As we step into the Sun Valley’s neon signs and lights museum, a wave of color and light washes over me, enveloping me in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of vibrant hues against the backdrop of the darkened night sky.
The neon signs shimmer and dance, casting their iridescent glow onto our faces, igniting a sense of wonder and awe within me.
“Holy shit,” Felix murmurs, taking in the illuminated space.
“I know, right?” Kasey says, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “This place is pretty great.”
The atmosphere crackles with anticipation, each neon light pulsating with energy and life, creating an electric symphony that resonates through the air.
The hum of the electric lights is a soothing melody, blending seamlessly with the buzz of conversation and laughter as we step deeper into our neon-lit adventure.
“This place is amazing,” I exclaim, my eyes darting from one sign to the next, taking in the intricate designs and vibrant colors. The glowing bulbs and attention to detail in each one of the works.
Gabriel nods in agreement, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve never seen anything like it. How did you find this place?”
Kasey leads us past the gates. “Dominique brought me here once,” she shrugs. “Since then, it’s kind of become one of my favorite places.”
“I can see why,” I tell her as we wander through the maze of neon signs, the rest of our group trailing behind us.
There’s excitement dancing in everyone’s gazes as one by one, we take in the displays.
Gabriel adjusts his pace to match mine, ensuring I don’t have to struggle to keep up with his longer strides. “Look at that one.” His voice cuts through the vibrant chaos, drawing my attention to a particular sign hanging high on the wall overhead.
It’s a large heart, glowing with a fiery red hue, surrounded by intricate neon filigree. The heart pulsates with an otherworldly glow, casting a warm, comforting light that seems to beckon to us from across the room.
“That’s a Milagro,” Gabriel says, his voice tinged with reverence as he gestures toward the sign.
“A what?” I ask, curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar term.
“A Mexican heart,” he says. His smile is warm when he looks down at me and adds, “Milagros are little miracles. They’re symbols of hope and promises of things to come in my culture. Seeing one is a good omen.”
I can’t help but be captivated by the sign’s beauty and the meaning behind it. The intricate details of the neon heart seem to shimmer and dance in the soft glow of the surrounding lights, casting whimsical patterns on the surrounding walls.
“You should make a wish,” he tells me. “Seeing a Milagro is a lot like seeing a shooting star. Don’t waste the opportunity.”
As he gazes at the sign, I can’t help but stare at him, my heart fluttering with emotions I struggle to put into words. Swallowing hard, I try to conjure up a wish, but the longer I look at him, the more I realize that what—no, who—I truly want is standing right in front of me.
As I stand here, mesmerized by the Milagro, a sense of reverence washes over me. I have a newfound appreciation for the beauty and significance of all the blessings in my life. All of my tiny miracles.
I can’t help but feel grateful to be where I am right now, sharing this experience with Gabriel. With our friends.
I glance over my shoulder to see Julio and Adriana wandering off, their heads tilted toward one another in hushed conversation.
Meanwhile, Felix, Kasey, and Deacon head in another direction, leaving Gabriel and me to explore on our own.
Gabriel shifts his weight, the back of his hand brushing against mine.
I hold my breath.
His skin grazes mine again, the barest of touches before he turns. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s look over here.”
My fingers curl into a fist, and I ignore the disappointment sweeping through me. We have rules, I remind myself. No PDA, which means we definitely cannot hold hands.
So why do I want him to reach for mine so badly?
As we weave through the neon lights, I can’t help but feel a twinge in my chest, the feeling unsettling. This, spending time together even if it’s with a group of friends, there’s something intimate about it. It feels deeper than just casual fun.
Shaking myself, I push the thought aside, focusing on the bright colors and playful atmosphere.
“Hey, look at this one,” Gabriel says, pointing to a particularly obnoxious sign. “Now that is a work of art.”
I cover my mouth to stifle my laugh. “The oversized goose wearing hot pink cowboy boots and a cowboy hat is a work of art?”
He grins, his eyes dancing with mirth. “I never said it was good art.”
I nod in agreement, but my smile slips. I can’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, my feelings for Gabriel are growing beyond what we agreed upon. And that worries me because when it comes to Gabriel, I always seem to be in way over my head.
“Hey,” he says, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts. “Are you okay?”
I force a smile, trying to push away my concerns. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just taking in all the lights.”
Gabriel’s gaze is searching, his eyes not fully convinced. “You sure?”
I nod, but the words catch in my throat. I want to tell him how I’m feeling, but we made a deal. And despite what Gabriel said before, feelings change. Just because I’m feeling this way doesn’t mean he is. Gabriel seems content with our arrangement. No sense in disrupting that.
I plaster on a smile and grab his arm, pulling him toward another neon sign. “Come on, let’s check out this one.”
Gabriel follows, his hand brushing against my thigh.
I really wish he could touch me.