Page 78 of Unsure in Love
Minutes later, I gave in to her request and we both sat around the island with glasses of vodka. We talked about my dad for a bit, reminiscing about our times with him. We even discussed funeral plans. It was hard, but Papa had been sick for a while and we knew what was coming.
“Let’s talk about something else please.” Aunt Lucia rubbed her eyes. “How’s Cassandra? When is she coming back?”
My entire body went tense. “I’m not sure. I haven’t… we haven’t…”
Lucia quirked an eyebrow.
Blowing out a breath, I admitted. “We haven’t talked since she left.”
“What?” She clutched her chest. “Oh, no. Did something happen between you two before she left?”
I scoffed. “I wish. The problem is nothing happened. Nothing at all. She just… withdrew emotionally and… left.”
Lucia’s baffled expression made me chuckle. As I poured myself another drink, I said, “I guess it’s time I tell you the full story about Cass and my relationship.”
“I’m all ears.”
Five minutes later, with Lucia caught up on how Cass and I met and what happened after she saw her father, the kitchen got quiet.
Then Lucia sighed. “Obviously, whatever happened with her father spooked her. The poor dear.”
“That’s what I concluded, but she wouldn’t talk to me and I’d never force her to.”
Lucia tutted. “No, no, things can’t be so strained between you two. You’re in love with her, and she feels the same way about you.”
My glass was on its way to my lips when I froze. “What… how… What makes you think I’m in love?”
She rolled her eyes. “Please, I helped to raise you, hijo. I know you better than most. While you can hide from everyone else behind your gruff, stoic facade, I always see through it. I watched you two together. The way you look at her, the ways she looks at you…” She laughed. “You’re both head over heels.”
I gawked at her. “I don’t think she feels the same way.” Why try to deny my feelings? I never could fool Aunt Lucia.
“Oh, sweetheart.” She patted my jaw. “I was the one on the outside looking in.”
I threw back my drink. “Well, she’s thousands of miles away.”
“Maybe you should do something about that.”
I glanced at her. “I can’t leave, especially not now.” Not with the state my father was in…
The unsaid words hung in the air between us. She sighed and nodded. “I know. We both have to stay close.”
Silence settled over the room again as we both got lost in our thoughts.
30
CASS
“This looks amazing, Cass.”
I beamed at Chris, one of my regulars. Most of his torso was already covered by eye-catching art, and I was finishing up his sleeve tats. “Thanks. What do you say about two weeks for your next session?”
Still admiring the dragon on his right bicep, he replied, “Can we make it three? I’m going away with Mandy the week after next. I’m taking her on a romantic trip. You know, to set the mood to pop the question.”
I gasped. “No shit. That’s awesome.” I held my hand up, and he slapped it, all the while wearing a dopey grin.
“Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it. You and Mandy were made for each other.”