Page 59 of Now and Forever

“Exactly.” After all, I had my driver’s license, and if things became less dangerous, I could drive myself from the apartment to points around the city.

Armando’s tutorial of the city began strong, but as traffic congested, his enthusiasm diminished. “Where are we going within Hotel Phillips?”

“I’mgoing to meet a friend in her room for coffee.”

“A friend?” Despite his mirrored glasses, I could tell he was watching me in the mirror.

“Yes, a friend who was at the wedding. I received an email from her saying she was still in the city.” It was more explanation than I wanted to give.

“I’ll park and walk with you.”

“I’m sure you can drop me at the front door of the hotel.” As soon as the words left my lips, I knew it wasn’t possible. Dario wanted Armando with me. That meant he would be at my side. “Can you please wait outside the suite?”

He nodded.

Miraculously there was a parking space available on the street not far from the hotel. Donning my sunglasses, I stepped out of the car. While it hadn’t been that long since I was outside, I lifted my face to the warm sunshine, relishing the summer day. It would take time to get used to living in a high-rise apartment. I missed my family’s pool deck and the beach below.

Together, Armando and I walked toward the front entrance to the hotel. A doorman greeted us as if we were guests. The lobby was beautiful, recently restored to its one-time grandeur. Even the elevators were authentic, small golden doors covering their entries.

We took an elevator to the twentieth floor, the top level. It didn’t take long to find room 2004. It was the room with a man seated outside the door. He stood as we approached, and Armando stiffened at my side. I kept my voice low. “Oh good, you’ll have company.”

“Mrs. Luciano for Mrs. Herrera,” I said to the man.

He nodded without a word and opened the door.

“You boys have fun,” I said as I left Armando in the hallway, hoping that their fun didn’t include a pissing contest to determine whose gun was bigger.

“Cat,” Ana greeted as I entered before wrapping me in a hug. She spoke in Spanish. “Come in and have a seat. I had room service bring coffee with an assortment of flavors of cream and some lemon cake.”

“You look great,” I said, also speaking Spanish. I inspected Ana more closely than I could at the wedding, as well as the hotel suite. We appeared to be alone. She was also not showing her pregnancy. If anything, she appeared thin. Maybe it was her loose slacks and blouse. I sat in a soft chair near the sofa.

Ana poured coffee into two cups from the silver pot. Handing me a cup, she said, “Look at you with that firm stomach. It’s not as easy after a few children.”

“You’re a real inspiration,” I replied. “I didn’t think the arranged marriage would happen to me. It’s great to see someone who made it work.”

Ana shrugged as she sat on the sofa, curling her legs beneath her. “It’s like that lady said on the TV show. We have all the pussy.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. “Who said that?”

“I don’t remember the show, but she’s right.”

That was a series I’d need to add to my viewing list. It sounded like the woman was full of good advice. Unless…

My thoughts of doubt returned. “What if she isn’t right about us having all of it?”

Ana’s face fell. “Dario isn’t cheating already, is he?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t know.” I exhaled. “I guess I’ve let other people’s comments get to me. It isn’t like we married because of love. We had our first real conversation the night before the wedding.”

“You’re looking at it wrong.”

I set my cup on the coffee table. “How should I look at it?”

“From now into the future.”

My cheeks rose.

Now and forever.

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