Page 72 of Dina's Favorite Mistake

“We’re so much alike in that way.” Her mother smiled sadly. “We build these invisible walls. We’re reluctant to say sorry and ask forgiveness.”

Dina nodded in agreement. “I just kept telling myself that I had to be the best daughter, the best mother, the best sister, the best executive. If I did that, I could earn back your trust.”

“You never lost it.”

They lapsed into silence as the heaviness of the moment weighed upon them. Now that it was all out in the open, the silence felt almost companionable.

“What are you going to do about Steve?”

Dina’s shocked gaze snapped to her mother. “What do you mean?”

Her mother clicked her teeth. “Dina! It was obvious to all of us that you care about him. I’m certain he loves you. He risked his job for you. Hekilledfor you. What more do you need from him to prove he’s serious about you?”

“It’s not that simple, Mama.”

“It is,” her mother insisted.

“His life is in Texas. My life is in Mexico.”

“There are ways around that,” her mother argued. “We’re rich. He doesn’t have to work.”

“I don’t think he’s the type to sit idly by and be a kept man.” She couldn’t even imagine Steve puttering around the estate without a purpose. He’d die of boredom.

“You could move to Texas.”

Dina frowned. “That’s Rafa’s domain now. My place is at our headquarters in Guadalajara.”

“Then I suppose the two of you will have to compromise,” her mother wisely suggested.

“If he still wants me,” Dina said, uncertain she still had a chance with him.

“Of course he still wants you!” Her mother seemed scandalized by the very idea Steve wouldn’t want her daughter. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“I haven’t talked to him since he left,” she admitted quietly. “I wanted to call him or message him, but I was afraid.”

“Afraid of what?”

“That I can’t be the woman he needs.”

“Why don’t you let him decide that?”

“What if he doesn’t want me?” Dani voiced her greatest fear. “It’s been months since he left. He’s had time and space to clear his head. He might have realized I’m too much trouble. I have all this baggage. My ex-husband killed his grandparents for God’s sake!”

“He doesn’t hold that against you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Neither do you,” her mother unhelpfully pointed out. “Stop avoiding the issue. Call him—or better yet—go see him.”

“I couldn’t.” Dina’s heart raced at the very thought of seeing him again. She didn’t think she could control herself if she was close enough to touch him, to smell him, to kiss him.

“You can.” Her mother rose slowly from the chair and plodded across the plush rug. She leaned down and tenderly kissed the top of Dina’s head. “Be brave, Enedina.”

Left with her thoughts, Dina watched her mother leave the parlor. A small movement caught her attention, and she realized Camila was awake. Camila offered a sheepish smile and apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hear all that.”

“It’s okay.” She patted her daughter’s foot. “No more secrets, remember?”

“Except for the one you’re keeping from Steve?” Camila dared to ask.

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