Page 65 of My December Darling

“Good thing I know CPR.”

“Now that’s one way to get you to kiss me.”

We both break out into laughter, and I feel lighter because of it as we continue building the LEGO set. I ignore the yearning that builds inside me with every touch of our hands, which proves to be a difficult feat in itself.

Accepting we have a physical and emotional connection is one thing, but acting on it?

A mistake waiting to happen.

My mom enlisted the town’s event coordinator, Josefina Lopez, to help her with planning theparranda. Josefina was excited by the idea, especially since my mom hasn’t done one since before my dad’s mom, who always planned them, passed away. Gabriela isn’t able to help because she is in full-on wedding mode, so I’m in charge of choosing songs for the event since my mom is busy helping coordinate everything else with Josefina.

The bus we rented stops in front of my parents’ house, and the crowd ofparranderoson the lawn heads toward the doors opening in a rush. Josefina shuffles her grandson, Nicolas Lopez, onto the bus, who she entrusted to help play thecuatrowith my dad.

“Ready?” Mami asks me while holding out a tambourine.

“Yup.” I scan the crowd in search of one person who said he would be here.

I don’t spot Luke’s tall frame anywhere. Gabriela and Aiden are standing in line to get on the bus, but I don’t see him beside them, so maybe he isn’t showing up after all.

When I texted him earlier to remind him about the time and meet-up location, he answered with a “sounds good.” If we didn’t have an amazing time building his LEGO set last night, I would’ve spent the day overthinking his two-word reply, but maybe I should have.

“Cata!” my sister shouts from the front of the bus. “Let’s go!”

With one last parting glance toward the empty front yard, I head to the bus.

As the doors begin to shut behind me, someone knocks against the glass.

“Hey.”

The doors part with awhoosh, and Luke steps onto the bus dressed in a unzipped black jacket that reveals a green sweater that complements his pale skin and a smile that draws out one of my own.

“You made it.”

“I told you I would.”

“Luke! Took you long enough!” Aiden calls from the back of the bus, where he and Gabriela saved us two seats.

“Did you really think I’d miss out on this?” He presses the palm of his hand against the small of my back and gently directs me down the aisle.

“When I didn’t see you outside, I assumed something came up.” I peek over my shoulder to find him grinning.

“Is that Catalina code foryou missed me?”

I scoff at his comment.

“There’s no place I’d rather be than here with you,” he whispers in my ear, and my heart soars into dangerous, delusional territory.

I swore I’d be more careful around Luke and not get overly invested, especially now that I have a job lined up, but it’s difficult when he says the sweetest comments and looks at me like I’m special. Like I mean something to him, even if I’m dead set on making sure I don’t feel the same way about him.

Maybe Luke will get bored of the push and pull happening between us and give up, or maybe he really is determined to show me that letting someone like him into my life isn’t such a bad thing, so long as I’m willing to let my guard down and give him a real chance.

19

LUKE

When Catalina explained the concept of aparrandato me, I pictured it like a Christmas movie, with a small group of people stopping in front of houses to sing a few Christmas songs before walking to the next one.

The reality is far more exciting, and one I immediately find myself enjoying as everyone departs the bus and enters the first house on the Martinezes’ list of guests.

---