Page 42 of Forever Mine

“I would not scare her if she’s the one for Gabriel,” my mother points out. “If she’s meant to be with him, she’d love me and wouldn’t treat me like that snake did.”

She’s referring to my ex-wife. Mama and Courtney never meshed well. She wasn’t surprised when Courtney divorced me, but she never held it over my head. Mama was upset when Courtney and I eloped, then upset because Courtney refused to visit Texas with me for my nephew’s Christening. When Mama and Courtney finally did meet, there was a remarkable amount of tension.

“Love that you still refer to her as ‘that snake’, mama,” Ana giggles.

“I’m not sad to have her out of your life,filho. She was no good for you,” my mother says. “Enough about that snake. This weekend is aboutme.”

Ana and I both laugh. My mother isn’t bashful about her desire to be the center of attention. While it may seem narcissistic, it’s because it means she is surrounded by family. That is what is important to her. So she couldn’t care less about the presents or the party. She just wants us.

The weekend flies by for me. Not that Monica was ever far from my mind. I thought of her constantly. Didn’t help that my mama told everyone I had a girlfriend, and I had to keep correcting her.

I arrive back in Colorado late afternoon Monday, having taken a personal day. I rarely take off; fortunately, real estate allows some flexibility in the hours when needed. I’m anxious to see Monica. I again take the long route to my condo, which adds a about fifteen minutes to the drive, and slam on the brakes in front of Monica’s apartment complex.

Her apartment is gone. A couple walls still stand, but most of it is ash. I immediately pull out my phone and call her.

“Hello?” she answers. Her voice sounds timid and unsure. This Monica concerns me. I’m not used to her this way.

“What happened?” I demand.

“What do you mean?”

“Querida, don’t play with me. I’m in front of your apartment. Whatusedto be your apartment. What the fuck happened?”

“I don’t know, Gabriel. Ask the fire inspector. I certainly didn’t start it,” she retorts. Ahh. I let out a relieved exhale. She’s still my spitfire.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“I’m fine, Gabriel.”

“You need to stop saying that when we both know you’re not. I’ll ask again. Where are you?” I ask. She hesitates before finally answering.

“I’m in the hospital for smoke inhalation.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” I say before ending the call. I’m not allowing her to tell me not to come. I’m surprised when she doesn’t immediately text me to tell me not to show up.

Ten minutes later, I’m walking into the hospital when I see thatpiçoMarcus loitering outside.

“Come to save the day, boss man? She’s coming home with me, so don’t waste your breath,” he taunts.

“We’ll see about that,” I murmur as I bypass him and go straight to the front desk. After finding out what room Monica is in, I hightail it upstairs and don’t bother knocking.

I’m unprepared for my visceral reaction to seeing her in a hospital bed. Monica is tiny, but now she’s so frail and small that the bed swallows her up.

“Oh,querida,” I say quietly. Monica’s eyes meet mine and fill with tears as a sob breaks from her throat. I immediately sit on the bed and pull her into my arms. “It’s okay, baby. Let it all out.”

“I woke up and couldn’t see, couldn’t breathe. I was so scared, Gabriel. I thought I was going to die,” Monica cries.

I don’t answer her. I just let her cry while I slowly rub her spine.

She pulls her head away to look up at me, her tear-stained face pulling at my heartstrings. “Is it all gone? Was there anything saved?”

“I don’t know,querida. I didn’t get too close. I’m not sure if anything can be saved,” I confess. Monica begins to cry again as she climbs fully into my lap and wraps her arms around my neck.

We sit like that for a while before a knock on the door breaks us apart.

“Mon? Can I come in?” a voice asks.

“Is that Marcus?” I ask, and she nods.

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