Page 116 of Keepsake

My hand gripped tighter on the wheel. Dash didn’t miss it.

“What did he do?”

I cleared my throat. “What?”

“How did tío fuck this up?”

“Language.”

He huffed and looked away. Even though picking up food from Antonio’s was the last thing I wanted to do, I drove to that side of town.

Eyes on the road, I ignored my stupid heart every time I saw a white truck just to hurt all over again when I couldn’t spot the Castillo Construction logo.

The pain was especially excruciating when I drove to Alvaro’s favorite restaurant. My mind wouldn’t rest, thinking I’d see him at every corner, on every street.

“I wasn’t trying to be…” Dash started. “I’m sorry. We can go someplace else. Get the kids and whatever they want is good for me.”

I shook my head. “No. It’s fine.” I parked the car and turned to him.

Dash’s lip twitched in a smile. “If you say so.”

I hopped from the car, not bothering to ask what he wanted. I knew the routine—we needed enough pasta, garlic bread, and chicken parmigiana to feed an army.

The street was busy as I crossed. When my hand closed over the knob, I couldn’t stop the wave of regret clogging my throat.

It was just a restaurant, but it was a memory of Alvaro, too.

There was nothing I wanted more than to forgive him. Every time I grabbed the phone to call him, I changed my mind at the last minute, reminding myself I was too angry to talk.

I looked at the menu over the counter, just in case something new caught my attention. I was so engrossed scanning the three-fold plastic menu, I almost missed someone calling my name.

My eyes flew upwards, finding Dustin watching me carefully, hands closed in a fist. Even if it was stupid, I couldn’t stop myself from looking behind him. It was ridiculous, impossible. It wasn’t like he could hide a mountain of a man from the view.

He reached over in comfort. I hated the pity on his face. Averting my gaze, I looked at his hand wrapped over my arm and said nothing, making him clear his throat and step back. “Hey there, Logan. This is my girlfriend, Mirella. Her parents own the restaurant.”

In my search for the big man with tattoos down his knuckles, I didn’t notice the happy redhead beside Dustin. I licked my lips, begging my heart to settle, and extended my hand. “Hi, I’m Logan.”

Dustin said something to her. Explaining who I was. I blinked and held my breath, afraid the tears would stream down my cheeks even as I stood there smiling tightly.

So, I wasn’t as okay as I thought.

I missed him so much. I wondered if I did the right thing. Why was I angry again?

Oh yeah, the hiding, sneaking, and the overall stupidity of that plan.

It hurt. I wanted to be his partner so bad. When I found out he kept secrets, I got hurt enough to push him away. And now I was practically having a meltdown in the middle of the restaurant. My heart shattered, making me wonder if it was all worth it.

Being right never was.

“Logan?”

Next I blinked, Dustin had sent his girlfriend away, his expression worried. I stiffened when he came closer once again, lowering his voice. “I know that it’s not on you. But you’re the only one who can change his mind.”

On high alert right then, I pressed. “What are you talking about?”

Dustin looked around again, like he was afraid someone would jump out from behind the menus.

“I tried talking him out of it. It’s dangerous. It’s stupid. He won’t play fair. It’s a suicide mission.”

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