Page 25 of The Gift Rarely Given

Livie

Ma: Olivia, can you bring bread with you?

Me: Yup, what kind?

Ma: Telera mija.

Me: Mom, where am I supposed to find Telera, an hour before I’m supposed to be at your place.

Ma: You’re a smart girl. Figure it out

Mateo: I have Telera at home, I’ll bring some

Me: Thanks, Matty.

Ma: Always saving your sister. Such a good big brother. I’ll seeeveryone here

I swipeout of our family chat and text my brother separately. I haven’t even made it to dinner and I’m already on edge.

Me: Thank you!

Mateo: Don’t let this bother you, O. You know how she is sometimes. I can’t wait to see you and that boyfriend of yours

Me: Thanks, Matty. Are you bringing anyone this year?

Mateo: Just Daisy as usual.

Me: EEEEEEEEH! I love me some Daisy! See you in a few

I love Mateo, my protective older brother. He is also single as fuck, but my mom doesn’t care, because in her culture men can take whatever time they want to have a family. But women were made for one purpose—to get married and have children, nothing else. I don’t have anything against either of those things, but the reality is that everyone’s timing looks different. And honestly, I’m tired of letting her dictate my worth by whether or not I decide to push a baby out of my vagina. She’s my mom and I don’t want to let her down, but I also need her to get a grip.

I hear Alex’s truck engine and I open the door before he has a chance to ring the doorbell. Without saying hi, I turn back to the living room to grab all the bags with gifts I’ve had in a pile for weeks. My family usually exchanges gifts on Three Kings Day, but I’m always working then, so I bring their presents on Noche Buena.

“You look like an elf tonight, Shortie,” Alex calls fromsomewhere in front of me, but I can’t see him behind the tower of presents I’m carrying.

“What, green and tiny?” I ask.

“More like cheerful with arms full of gifts. Here, let me help you.” He takes all the gifts from me and he’s still able to stand up straight, as if it doesn’t bother him one bit.

“Agh, you have perfect hands, too. Not fair.”

“So, I can carry you better,” he replies, winking at me.

“Also, why are you wearing a suit? Not complaining, I love the view, but that’s a little too formal.” And that I do. He looks more than handsome with a dark green suit and his pretty smile.

“You said your mom’s an etiquette freak, and she keeps setting you up with people with corporate jobs. I’m not giving her any indications that I’m not perfect for her daughter, so a suit it is.”

“I swear if you keep saying shit like that, I’m going to have to keep you forever, Alex.”Great, Livie. Smooth, Livie. Not scaring him off at all, Livie.He doesn’t say anything and just walks out to put the gifts in his truck. I grab the two bags I had by the door and follow him out. I’ve been thinking about how on earth I’m going to let him know I don’t want this to end tomorrow without scaring him off. But God, that man can have anyone he wants, and I just don’t know if he wants that one to be me.

“Ready for your quiz?” I ask as Alex follows the GPS to my mom’s house. We are about an hour and a half away. So we have plenty of time to prepare for what’s about to happen in that house.

“Your mom’s name is Ada and your dad’s name is Omar. They grew up near each other and moved to Florida soon after they got married. Your mom’s a stay-at-home wife and she raised you and your brother Mateo. Mateolives in Magnolia Springs, not too far away from your parents, and although you’re all adults, your mom likes to stick her nose in y’all’s business. She’s allergic to pollen, which is why I don’t have any flowers with me, and they like baseball more than football, so they won’t be fans.”

“You get an A.”

“Not an A plus?” he asks nonchalantly.

“Alex, this is serious. I don’t want your night to be miserable.” My brother and my dad will be fine. Daisy—Mateo’s best friend—is a sweetheart. too. So, really, all I have to worry about is my mom hurting his feelings or making him run for the hills. If I’m going to be successful with this charade, or if I’m brave enough to see if he’s willing to date me after tomorrow , I need him to get along with her. Or at least not think I’m crazy and not want to spend more time with me.

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