Page 14 of Now and Forever

The music is playing loudly, so I let myself whisper his name just as a stellar orgasm makes me convulse.

When I recover, I open my eyes. I’m alone. Eric is just in my mind.

Somewhat more relaxed after my shower, I go back to my room. I put away the vibrator and turn on my cell. There are sixteen more missed calls from Eric.

I want to look really good for Christmas Eve and decide to wear a black dress that’s a little suggestive. Explosive. Eric will surely come by the pub later, and I want him to go mad because he doesn’t have me.

As I step out of my room, my sister sees me and stops dead in her tracks.

“Cuchufleta, what a pretty dress!”

“You like it?”

Raquel nods. “It’s beautiful, but it shows a little too much skin, don’t you think?”

I look at myself in the hall mirror. The neckline is held closed by a silver ring, and the opening goes down all the way to my belly. It’s sexy, and I know it.

“You look gorgeous!” my father says as he looks me over.

“Thank you, Papá.”

“But, sweetheart, don’t you think you’re a little exposed?”

“Papá!” I groan, annoyed.

Then my brother-in-law takes a look at me.

“Wow, Jude, you look sensational!”

I grin. I turn to my father and my sister. “That,” I say, “is all I want to hear.”

At nine thirty, we sit down to the feast my father has prepared with all his love and care. During dinner, we laugh a lot at the things my niece says. Afterward, I take a minute to retouch my makeup before I head to work. Plus, I have a date with David when I finish my shift, and I hope to have a good time. But when I return to the dining room, I’m shocked to see my entire family standing and talking with ... Eric!

He runs his gaze over my face and then my body.

“Hello, love,” he says in greeting, but when he realizes how I’m looking back at him, he corrects himself. “Well, maybe ‘love’ is a bit much.”

I’m speechless for the moment, and when I try to respond, my sister jumps in. “Look who’s here, Cuchu. What a surprise, isn’t it?”

I don’t say a word. I narrow my eyes, and, ignoring my dad’s little smile, I go directly to the kitchen. I don’t feel well. What’s he doing here? I need water. Seconds later, my father follows me in.

“Sweetheart, he’s a good man, and he’s crazy about you. Besides ...”

“Papá, please don’t start. We’re over.” I can’t imagine what he’d think if he knew the truth about what happened between us.

“That man loves you, don’t you see it?”

“No, Papá, I don’t see it. What’s he doing here?”

“I invited him.”

“Papá!”

“C’mon, sweetheart, stop being so stubborn for a moment and talk to him,” he says. “I’m trying to understand you, but I don’t get why you won’t talk to Eric.”

“I have nothing to say to him. Nothing.”

“Sweetheart,” he insists, “you argued. Couples argue and ...” The doorbell rings. I look at my watch. I know who it is, and I close my eyes. My sister, followed by little Luz, rushes in.

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