Page 70 of Dina's Favorite Mistake

A long time later, Dina woke to the sensation of a chill along her back. She reached for the covers and then for Steve’s arm, hoping to steal a bit of his heat. Her fingertips glided over an empty bed, and she opened her eyes, suddenly aware that she was alone.

She bolted upright, letting the sheet pool around her wait. She glanced around the dimly lit room, the barest haze of morning sun coming through the windows. Every trace of Steve was gone.

Except for a folded slip of paper on the bedside table closest to her.

She leaned over and snatched it up. Her fingers trembled as she unfolded it and read the short message he’d left her.

When you’re ready, I’ll be waiting.

Clutching the note in her hand, Dina swallowed the painful lump in her throat. Overwhelmed by love and grief andfrustration, she let the tears fall. In one sentence, Steve had proven to be the man she’d always known he was.

Could she ever be the woman he was waiting for?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Four Months Later

Paris

"Two days at Disneyland when Versailles is right there,” Soila grumbled as she puttered around the hotel suite in her slippers and robe. “In winter!”

“Mama!” Dina gestured to Camila who was fast asleep on the plush sofa, her bare feet resting on Dina’s lap. Speaking softly, she said, “She’s fourteen. She’s a child, and children like roller coasters and rides and meeting princesses.”

“Is it wrong that I want her to also experience some culture?”

“Mama,” Dina said with a sigh, “the palace will still be there in three days. We can shuffle around the schedule to make it work.”

“Well, we’re not rescheduling our visit to the Dior Museum!” She sat down in an exaggerated huff and tugged her robe closed over her chest. “I had to call in favors to get that VIP tour.”

“We can always add a day or two to our itinerary,” Dina offered, her gaze drifting to the windows overlooking Paris. Inthe distance, the shadowy glow of the Eiffel Tower could be seen. This morning, there had been light rain, but nothing too terrible. Camila hadn’t minded a bit as they’d enjoyed coffee and pastries before a shopping trip. “There’s no rush to get home.”

“No work?” Her mother asked, her brow arched expectantly.

Dina shook her head. “No work when I’m on vacation. That’s a new rule. My family time is family time.”

“Hmph,” Soila interjected. “Took you long enough to make that rule.”

“Yes, it did.” There was no point in arguing with her mother. “I made mistakes. I wasn’t the mother I should have been.”

Soila clicked her teeth. “That’s not true. You were—you are—an incredible mother. You’re a wonderful daughter and a loving sister. You’re a good friend to everyone.”

Taken aback by her mother’s strident defense, Dina shifted in her seat. She winced at the growing discomfort in her belly and silently cursed her period for threatening to show up a week early to torment her. Figured her evil uterus would want to make a dramatic entrance in Paris!

“I told you to go see Jovita’s sister to get the massage.” Her mother reached for the coffee pot on the room service tray. “I had it done after every single one of you were born. I’ve never had the problems you do.”

“Mama.” Dina didn’t want to hear aboutmatriz caidaor ancient fertility remedies. “Not this again...”

“You’ve spent how much money at the doctor? And you’re still this miserable? What can it hurt to go see Imelda?”

“Uh, it could hurt a lot! They practically jump up and down on your belly!”

“Don’t be dramatic! It's nothing like that at all.” Soila waved her hand. “It’s a little massage, some pressure, and then it’s done.”

“I’ll pass and stick with my gynecologist.”

“Suit yourself.” Her mother poured two cups of coffee. “Maybe if you tried wearingfajasfor some support?”

She shot her mother a perturbed look. “I don’t think strangling my waist withfajasis going to help.”

---