Page 68 of To Have and To Hold

“I don’t care about a big wedding.” I shrugged. “I’ve never dreamed of my wedding day.”

“I’ve had two.” She grinned. “Other than the gunshots, I preferred Camila’s.”

I blinked. “Did you say gunshots?”

“Machine guns.” Mia smiled and shook her head. “If Isla comes to you again today, tell her I’m working her problem, and no, I didn’t use her name.”

My cheeks rose and my lips curled. “Thank you, Mia, for everything.”

I stayed at Mia’s as long as I could. After no word from Kansas City, I left with Horace. It was past time to get to the apartments. Liliana was already there when I arrived. I said good morning to José, Reina, and Celeste as I entered.

Before I could get my purse put away, Liliana came to my office, closed the door, and leaned against it. “Spill. I want all the details. I can’t believe you went on a date with Em.”

For a moment, I stood with my lips agape.

“Don’t look so scared. Mia told me. Well, she didn’t tell me it was adate. She said Em was giving you a tour of San Diego. But I can read between the lines.”

My head was shaking. “When did she tell you that?”

“Last night. She told me that if anyone asked, you came to my apartment to watch a movie.”

Sitting in my desk chair, I leaned down until my forehead hit the desk. “This is ridiculously out of control.”

Liliana came forward and sat at a chair across from my desk. When I looked up, she was intently staring my direction. “Tell me what it was like. I’ve never been on a date.”

“How is that possible? You were married.”

She wobbled her head. “We never dated. I only knew him as Sofia’s father.El Patr?nsaid we were to be wed. That was it. My parents bought me a dress and there was a wedding.” She shrugged. “No dates.”

“That makes me sad.”

“It’s not uncommon. It happens.”

“Mia said she wants that to end. She thinks the women should have a say in the matter.”

Liliana sat back in the chair. “It could be romantic. Or not.” Her eyes lit up. “Tell me about last night.”

A smile curled my lips. For something Em and I agreed to keep secret, the word was spreading fast. “He took me to Little Italy. We had a delicious dinner. We stopped at a bakery and got cannoli. And then he drove to Imperial Beach. We watched the sunset.”

Liliana rubbed her hands together. “That sounds like what a date should sound like. Did Horace keep his distance?”

“Horace wasn’t there.”

Her eyes widened. “Just the two of you? Oh, how scandalous. Do you like him?”

“Horace is fine.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Do you like Em? It was pretty obvious that he’s been hanging out here more than normal.”

I didn’t know that. Of course, I didn’t know what normal was either. I thought about her question. “I do.” I remembered something. “Your husband was older. Was that an issue for you?”

“Yes, but I had a lot of issues with Gerardo. Em is different. I know that about him. He’s just always been kind. He’s a good man.”

Good man.

My smile returned as I sat up straight. “I agree. The problems are my parents and the capo.”

“Do you mean Em’s asked to marry you?”

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