Page 34 of Thicker Than Water

the same. The incident she describes . . . I know it. But, how does Lucía? My gut twists.

There are only six people besides me who know that story. Fabienne is one of them. My parents and my three best friends are the others. The only one in that group that would ever use it to hurt me is Fabienne. I close my eyes and I see those beautiful brown eyes, so full of honesty. Was that all a lie? I can’t believe it, but there’s no other explanation that makes sense.

I’ve just been sitting here thinking she’s the woman of my dreams, and she’s been in cahoots with my ex-wife all along.

Rage makes my hands tremble as I dial her number. She doesn’t answer. I call again. It goes to voicemail again, but I don’t leave a message. I need to talk to her face-to-face. I walk out of my father’s office and head to my car. I’m going to Malibu tonight.

17

Lucía

My father always told me that if something were meant to be, I wouldn’t have to chase it. That fate and I would meet just where we should, at just the right time.

Seven days ago, in the pool, I thought that my destiny and I had finally collided. Now, I’m starting to wonder if I imagined it. I re-read his email every day to make sure I haven’t. We hadn’t talked all week until today when he called to say he wasn’t going to be coming to Malibu for the weekend after all.

I’d let hope have a home in my heart after our conversation that night. And each day that’s passed without hearing from him, it’s faded a little. I know he’s been busy and I decided to let him have the space to focus on his family and work. But when he called today and said he wasn’t coming up this weekend, I’d wanted to beg him to come.

Instead, I pretended I was fine while we spoke and I’ve spent the day trying to ignore the ache in my chest. I had the day off so I spent most of it bingeing on my favorite show, Master of None. It’s what I wish my immigrant story looked like. Legal, successful and with an intact family.

I ordered in Thai food and besides the delivery man, I haven’t seen or spoken to another human being all day. It’s the kind of day I’d normally relish. But instead I’ve been miserable.

Finally sick of sulking, I force myself to go outside. The fire pit is roaring and I’m sitting, watching the waves as they crash onto the shore, over and over. The majesty of it all is incredible. I wish Julian was here to share it with me. I miss him so much.

I know he’d be proud of me. He thought I could do anything. And even though my parents were building all their hopes on him, he used to tell me that I was going to change the world. That we would do something great together. Well, now we are.

I lift my glass to the sky and toast him. His death won’t be in vain. I’m just taking a sip when I hear a noise from the side of the house. I jump off the chair and grab the bottle of wine I brought outside with me. It’s not an ideal weapon, but it’s all I’ve got.

“Who’s there?” I call out to the dark, my heart sprinting as I wait . . . and then I see him.

Reece steps out of the dark of the house’s shadow and onto the deck. The light from the fire illuminates him and my heart leaps with joy as I take him in. He’s dressed in a suit, like he’s just come from the office, but he’s taken off his tie and opened the top button of his shirt. I can see the smooth, tan column of his neck. I want to run to him and place a kiss on that exposed skin. I want to tell him how much I’ve missed him.

But the look on his face stops me. He doesn’t look happy to see me. My joy at seeing him is replaced with a foreboding feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

“Reece, are you okay?” I ask when he doesn’t say anything. His face is in partial shadow, but I can sense that anger and hurt hold equal weight in his expression. Tears prick my eyes because I know what’s coming is going to hurt.

“Why didn’t you answer the phone?” His voice is hoarse, like he hasn’t slept in days.

“What do you mean?” I ask honestly confused.

He takes a step toward me.

“The phone. I called it. Twice.”

“My phone is inside. I didn’t know you’d been calling.”

He takes another step forward and I look up at him. The look in his eyes sends a shiver through me. They’re flat, cold. I don’t move. A thousand butterflies spread their wings and take flight inside my gut. Icy fear pricks my veins.

“Is your dad okay, Reece?” I ask him.

“He’s fine,” he snaps, but doesn’t say anything else.

I come to step in front of him, to look him in the eye, his voice is so grave.

My heart skips a beat.

“Reece, tell me what’s wrong. You’re scaring me.” My voice breaks on that last sentence and he flinches.

“I learned a lot of things from my marriage. But if I had to choose one life lesson that is non-negotiable for me, it’s dishonesty.”

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