Page 56 of Now and Forever

“But you didn’t take any?”

“Seemed silly to try just to move away.”

Before we could discuss that or anything any further, Dario’s phone rang. Standing, he walked to my side and kissed my cheek before lifting a finger—universal sign for one minute—and walking away with his phone.

“Dario here,” I heard him say as he walked toward his first-floor office.

ChapterSixteen

Catalina

After Dario left the apartment, I showered and dressed before settling into the library with my laptop. It was the first time I checked my email messages since before the wedding. Besides the plethora of junk emails, I had two emails from Camila, three from Mireya, and one from Ana. While I was anxious to talk with my sister and cousin, my curiosity was piqued by the email from Ana, especially after what Dario had said about her and Elizondro’s unexpected presence at the wedding.

I opened the email dated yesterday.

Hi Cat,

I can’t believe it’s been so many years since seeing one another. Can you believe we’re both married? You were absolutely beautiful at your wedding. I wish we could have had more time together.

Eli has business in New York, and I have a real dislike of that city. I’m here in Kansas City until Tuesday. If you have time for lunch or coffee, we could get together. I don’t have your phone number, so I hope you see this email.

I’m staying at the Hotel Phillips in room 2004. You can call my room direct.

I’m hoping to see you.

Ana

Excitementat the possibility bloomed within me. This was Monday morning and Ana wanted to see me. Dario said I was free to come and go as I pleased as long as I took Armando or Giovanni. While I was rather confident that he wouldn’t approve of me visiting Elizondro, would Ana be a problem?

I reached for my phone and considered calling Dario.

As I looked at the screen, I second-guessed myself. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life as a subservient wife who asked her husband’s permission to go to coffee. If I started now, I’d set the precedent. Without checking with Dario, I looked up the telephone number for Hotel Phillips and called the main desk. In no time, they connected my call to room 2004.

“Hola.” A male voice answered.

I hesitated. “I’m looking for Ana Herrera.”

“May I ask who’s calling?”

“Catalina Ruiz…I mean, Luciano.”

Is this really the first time I’d said my name aloud?

“Just a moment.”

It didn’t take long before Ana was on the call. “Cat. You got my email.”

“I did,” I said, smiling at the sound of her voice.

“I wasn’t sure if you were away on a honeymoon, but since I’m here, I wanted to reach out.”

“The honeymoon can wait. You know how things are always busy.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “Eli is trying to fit as much work in as possible while here in the States.”

“And you gave up New York for Kansas City?” I asked. “I would imagine you shopping on Fifth Avenue.”

Ana laughed. “Believe it or not, I did enough shopping in California. Rodeo Drive was just as I remembered.”

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