Page 32 of Depths of Destruction
"But you're American?"
"Yep. My parents live in the States, as well as my youngest brother, Javier. My other brother, Blaise, is still in the Marines. He's been on active duty so long, I don't know where he considers home."
A smile plays on her lips. "Andre, Javier, Blaise...those are French names?"
"My mom is from France, but she liked the Spanish version of my brother Javier's name."
"With a J?"
"You're pretty cultured, aren't you?" I tease but am also impressed with her knowledge.
She shrugs. "But your last name is Lòpez?"
"My dad is Puerto Rican. He was stationed in France when he met my mom."
"Do you miss your family?"
"Sure. You get used to it though."
She frowns. "I wouldn't want to not see Emilia."
"Is it just you two?"
Pain crosses her face. "Yeah. My mom passed a few years ago."
My heart bleeds seeing her expression. "I'm sorry."
She doesn't respond.
"What about your dad?"
"Haven't seen him since I was five," she scoffs.
"Well, he missed out on a lot, didn't he?"
She smiles. "That's a good way to put it."
We walk for several hours along the river. The sun sets and darkness begins to take hold. The monkeys' howls and birds' caws get louder. Naomi jumps several times.
"What's that?" Naomi points to a black circle.
I squint. "Is it an inner tube?"
"I can't tell. I don't have my glasses."
"You wear glasses?"
"Yep. Now that I'm forty, I can't see that far."
"You've got those sexy cat-eyed glasses, don't you?"
She laughs, tilts her head, and smirks. "Sexy?"
I bet she's hot as hell in those.
I scan her body, then linger on her lips, and finally meet her gaze again. "Yep."
She purses her lips. "I might have a pair or two."
