Page 87 of Off Season

My entire family is completely and totally besotted with her. Everyone except my mother has separately pulled me aside to convey that Kam may, in fact, be the perfect match for me. If only I could get Kam to realize the same.

We’re leaving for Jamaica later this afternoon. Kam is out shopping with my sisters and sisters-in-law. She said she needs another suitcase to house all the gifts that my family generously gave her. I’m packing our bags when there’s a knock at the door. I turn and smile when I see my mother entering the bedroom. “I was waiting for this talk.”

She walks in and sits on the bed. “Yes, let’s talk.” She pats the bed next to her. “Siéntate.”Sit.

Ido as I’m told. She rubs my arm. “Kamryn is a special woman.”

I nod. “I agree.”

She briefly hesitates. “Most engaged women talk about their weddings. In fact, it’s usually all they talk about. When Gabriela was engaged to Santiago, you couldn’t have a single conversation with her without wedding planning being mentioned. Remember it was a bit of a family drinking game? Shots every time she mentioned the wedding. Everyone was drunk within an hour.”

I chuckle at the memory. “I remember.”

“Mi hijo, Kamryn hasn’t mentioned one word about the wedding all week. Honestly, I was hoping you two would house shop while you were in town. What’s going on?”

Ugh. I truly hate lying. “I think we’ll have a long engagement. She’s in law school, and she plans to play in the Olympics in a few years. We’re in no rush.”

“And what does her mother have to say about it? She must want to throw her daughter a wedding. There’s no greater joy.”

I exhale a long breath. “I told you before I came down, she doesn’t talk to her mother. Her mom isn’t like you. She’s not a good person. Kam cut her out of her life. While they’re close with their father, he’s had to handle their mother for most of their lives. Kam and her twin basically raised each other.”

“She’s got some baggage.” It’s not a question. It’s a statement.

“She does, but I’ve never met anyone like her. She’s the most amazing woman in the world.”

Mamá smiles. “I can see the love you have for her.” She grabs my hand. “I realize now that Mariana isn’t a match for you. I just want to see you settled.”

“What if being settled isn’t what I want?”

Her eyebrows pinch together before she taps my thigh. “You’ve always been a little different from your brothers and sisters. My special boy, always with a smile, always making everyone else happy. I want you to be happy too.”

“I’m trying to figure that out, Mamá, and I don’t know if it’s what you think it is, but I do know that Kamryn makes me happier than anyone I’ve ever been around.”

She nods. “Well, then I can’t ask for anything else.”

She stares at me like she’s waiting for me to say more, but I’m quiet.

I’m considering telling her the truth when we hear the front door open and the voices of all the girls returning. My mother reaches over and hugs me. “It’s been good having you home and seeing you full of joy. Whatever she’s doing, it’s working for you. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We say our goodbyes to everyone and leave for Jamaica. The second we step onto the plane, Kam hands me back the diamond engagement ring. I’m a little surprised by the tinge of disappointment I’m feeling. I liked seeing her in my ring all week.

She quickly distracts me by whispering, “There are twenty-seven bones in my hand. Want to make it twenty-eight?”

It’s nearingthe evening when we land in Jamaica. Kam is bouncing in her seat with excitement as she stares out the window while we taxi to our gate. I’m happy to be able to give this to her. I take for granted that I have the finances to do whatever I want whenever I want to do it. Sometimes I lose touch with the fact that extravagant trips aren’t something most people can afford. I’m suddenly patting myself on the back for the fact that I booked five-staraccommodations for us. I want her to have an amazing experience.

She looks at me. “It’s all-inclusive, right? That meansallour food and drink are included? Anything? Everything? Like, if I want a margarita and nachos in the middle of the night, I can just have it?”

I chuckle. “Yes. Why is this a foreign concept to you?”

“I’m cynical by nature.”

“I’m aware.”

She grabs my hand. “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ve never done anything like this in my life.”

I shrug like it’s not a big deal, even though I know it is for her. “We had a deal. You lived up to your end of the bargain as the doting girlfriend.”

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