Page 48 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

I can’t look at Dexter’s face when she says that because I’m afraid I’m going to laugh. He’s going to have to deal with Graciela sooner or later.

Later that afternoon, Sonia, Eric’s mother; Marta, his sister; and her boyfriend, Arthur, come over for a while. Flyn gives them big hugs when he sees them. I can tell Sonia loves having that kind of physical contact with her grandson. Marta spins him around in her arms. They’ve never been apart from the boy for so long, and they’re emotional at his return.

Like Simona, they both think Graciela is Dexter’s girlfriend or his wife, and he’s forced to explain once more.

I ask Sonia about Trevor. “We broke up,” she whispers to me. “I don’t want commitments at my age!”

I laugh. My mother-in-law never ceases to amaze me.

For several hours, we all sit around the table and talk and drink, and Eric and I show photos of our honeymoon.

Not all of them. Some we keep to ourselves. They’re just too intimate.

When Marta realizes Graciela is single, she quickly invites her out for a night on the town, and I agree to join them. I’m dying to go to Guantanamera to see my friends, dance salsa, and shout azúcar. I can see in Eric’s eyes he’s not in the least amused by this, but I’m not going to stop going out with my friends just because I’m now Mrs. Zimmerman. No way!

Getting back into our routine means establishing everything all over again. The whirlwind of the wedding and honeymoon is one thing, and the day-to-day is another. Although I adore my husband, and he adores me, I know we’re on a collision course. And I know it because of the way he’s looking at me right now.

9

The next day we have a date for dinner with Björn, Frida, and Andrés at Jokers, Björn’s father’s restaurant. Dexter, Graciela, Eric, and I say hi to the delightful Klaus and go directly to the table he’s reserved for us. We order beers and chat.

“Oh God, I love this beer,” says Graciela.

“Löwenbräu?” Eric asks.

“Many years ago, when I lived in Chile, I had a neighbor whose father was German, and he would bring the beer from Germany,” says Graciela after a sip. “It’s so good!”

“Would you like another?” Dexter says, smiling because she’s so happy.

“I’d love it.”

They clearly like each other, but neither will make the first move. Well, Graciela tried, and now it’s Dexter’s turn. I’m sure he wants to, but his disability inhibits him. What I don’t understand is how he can be so foolish. He knows she’s aware of his limitations, and she’s still interested. Honestly, I don’t get it.

They bring us another round of beers, and we make toasts and laugh and enjoy each other’s company, like always. Then we see Björn, who is with a woman. Who could it be?

He hasn’t seen us yet so I can check her out as much as I want. As might be expected, she’s a looker. Tall, sexy, blonde, wearing heels, and beautiful—very beautiful.

When his father lets him know we’re waiting and Björn turns our way, I give him a wink.

He’s such a great friend!

“Eric, your friend is here,” I tell him in a low voice.

Eric gets up, and then the two titans I love so much come together in a long and meaningful hug. They adore each other. Afterward, Björn hugs me.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Zimmerman,” he whispers in my ear.

His date is not exactly giving me a kindly look. I can see she’s not thrilled to be at this dinner. Björn continues his greetings and shakes Dexter’s hand as he’s introduced to Graciela. “Frida and Andrés aren’t here yet?”

“We’re here!” says Frida, as they come up to the table. I leap up and run toward her. My crazy friend jumps up and down and hugs me.

“How’s everything going?”

“Fantastic,” I say. “We haven’t killed each other yet.”

Frida smiles and then Andrés hugs and squeezes me. Everyone is so sweet to me, I can’t help but grin. I see they know Graciela from their visits to Mexico.

I look over at Björn’s date, who’s looking at us askance. “Please be a gentleman and introduce us to your date,” I tell him.

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