Page 94 of When Love Is Unexpected

"Whatever it is," I say, "or however it looks. Do you want it to be with me?"

"Yes," she says. "Yes." There is no hesitation in her response.

I pull her into my arms and kiss her. I can't help it. She said yes, and that makes me the happiest I've ever been.

***

Later, when we're back home and getting ready for bed in our own separate bedrooms, I'm standing in front of the mirror, staring into the eyes of a liar. The ease with which I lied to Laila about Patricia's identity makes me feel like a fraud. After all this is over, I vow to sit down with her and let her know that Patricia and Tricia Duncan are one and the same. I'll throw myself at her mercy in hopes that she'll forgive me for the lie of omission.

The next day, we go for a run in the morning and then make a simple breakfast of oatmeal and fruit.

"I'm going to deep clean the studio today," says Laila, "so I'll see you in a couple of hours." I watch as she opens some of the cabinets in the laundry room and pulls out several cleaning supplies.

"And what am I supposed to do with myself while you're gone?"

"Maybe you can catch up on all the work you probably have piled up since you've been entertaining me for two weeks.” She leans over and kisses me before heading out the back door.

I make myself comfortable on the couch and open my laptop to get to work. I'm relieved when I see that I don't have any more emails from Patricia.

For lunch, I decide to take Laila to one of my favorite Mexican food restaurants.

"It's a tiny, unassuming place," I say, "but it has the best tacos."

"Dos Pedros," says Laila, reading the restaurant sign on the front of the building.

We stand in front of the menu for several minutes, deciding what to get.

"What do you recommend?" she asks.

"How about if we get one of each, and you try them all," I suggest.

"That sounds good," she says, standing beside me to let me order.

"I'll take one of each of your tacos."

"All of them?" asks the server.

"Yes, I say. We'll take a carne asada, adobada, lengua, carnitas, pollo asado, pescado y uno de machaca por favor."

"Woah!" says Laila. "You lost me at ado, adobada?"

"Yes," I say. "I'll explain them all to you when they bring them to the table. Do you want to try something different to drink too?"

"Might as well," she says, laughing.

"To drink, we'll take horchata and agua de jamaica. Also, please bring two bottles of water."

"So kissing is not the only language you're proficient at?" says Laila, getting close to me for a kiss. I oblige.

"He hem," says the server. "Will that be all?"

"We'll also have some chips and salsa."

"Okay," he says. "Do you want green or red salsa for your tacos?"

"Both," I say.

We find a corner table and sit to wait.

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