Page 68 of Bound and Blitzed

I hear my best friend chuckle in the background.

I also hear my sister’s fucking grin through the line.

“So, how’s it going?” she asks.

“Thank you for breakfast,” I say seriously, hoping there’s also a lunch and maybe dinner on the way.

“Oh, it’s all right,” Raia says, her tone also serious. “I also ordered a roast for lunch.”

“You’re the best,” I breathe out. “Thank you.”

“The Garcias are a tough family to infiltrate,” Raia says sympathetically. “I bet you were caught off guard this morning.”

“We were in the fucking shower,” I growl.

“Oh, shit!” Raia murmurs. I hear the exchange of money take place and Cohen’s chipper laughter ring out.

Sighing, I hang my head. “Any advice here?”

“Honestly, just be yourself. You’re a good guy, Avery. And it’s obvious that you care for and love Valentina. Any parents would want that for their daughter. She’s happy; she’s thriving. And while you can’t take all the credit for that, you can claim some. Her family will see that if they spend time with you. All of us were skeptical at the beginning?—”

“We thought you’d get an annulment,” Cohen calls out.

“But look at the Christmas Eve we had last night? Valentina is part of our family now and we couldn’t be more thrilled,” Raia continues.

“Even if you stole Rai’s thunder!” Cohen again.

I hear my sister smack him.

“I’m happy for you both. And I know Carla, Alejandro, and their parents will be too. Just, hang in there. Give it some time,” Raia advises.

“Yeah,” I breathe out, knowing she’s right. “Thanks, Rai.”

“Love you, Ave.”

“Call back if there’s a physical altercation of any kind,” Cohen demands. “A thrown plate or wine glass counts!”

“Stop it,” Raia admonishes him, disconnecting the call.

I shake my head and drop my phone back onto the counter.

“Your sister is a lovely woman,” Mrs. Garcia says, and I jump, spinning around to note her standing against the kitchen island, one hand planted on the tabletop, the other swirling a glass of red wine.

“She is,” I agree, leaning my back against the countertop and turning my body toward her.

“Your parents seem like good people.”

“They are. A little nutty but overall, wonderful people.”

Mrs. Garcia studies me for a long beat. Feeling like it’s a test, I don’t break eye contact.

“I love your daughter, Mrs. Garcia,” I say truthfully. “I know this must feel like a surprise and I understand your and your husband’s apprehension. But I’m glad you’re here. I want you to spend time with Lena and me. I want you to see us together and understand that what we share is real. Valentina means everything to me.”

Mrs. Garcia sighs and takes a sip of her wine. “Yes, well, it was easier to pretend this was a mistake when we were reeling from the news, in Spain. And then, the entire plane ride over the Atlantic, discussing it amongst ourselves.” She gestures toward the living room where her husband and son sit with Carla and Valentina. “But now that we are here, it’s clearly going to be more of an uphill battle.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

Mrs. Garcia sighs. “I admit that Vale looks happy. Glowing, even. As a mother, you learn to read your children. And her eyes are brighter, her smile bigger, her backbone stronger than I’ve ever seen her carry herself. She’s gained a type of confidence, of trust in herself, that she didn’t have before. I suppose a part of that has to do with you.”

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