Page 86 of Rogue Romeo

It was so busy today that I couldn’t imagine how my grandparents had found one another here, but I could envision them stealing away to dance in some quiet corner just like they had when I was a child before Abuelo’s accident.

Having visited the three locations marked in Santa Cruz, we moved on to a town called Brasilito, where my grandparents had settled when they got married – or so I thought.

The SUV continues driving through the streets, bypassing the town altogether.

I shoot Alex a questioning look, but he simply reaches across the seat to take my hand in his, rubbing his thumb back and forth across my knuckles.

We soon roll to a stop at a pier, and Alex side-eyes me. “I hope you don’t get seasick.”

“I’ve never been on a boat!”

He slips out his door, coming around to open mine as he likes to, and helps me from the SUV with a smile. “Well, that’s about to change right now.”

There’s a small boat waiting for us, gently rocking on the waves of the harbor, and once we’ve both gotten settled on it, the motor flares to life, taking us away from land at speed.

“Where are we—”

Alex cuts off my question with a finger pressed to my lips. “You know I won’t spoil a good surprise, Sunshine.” He raises a brow. “I’m an excellent secret keeper.”

I push his hand away with an exaggerated pout that only makes him chuckle. Then he pulls me in against the side of his body to press a kiss to my temple.

“We’ll be there in a couple of minutes. But while we wait…” He trails off to present the green book with a flourish. “How about you finish reading?”

I falter for a moment before finding my voice. “Wh-what do you mean, f-finish reading?”

He opens the book to the map, turning it over to display a final page that I hadn’t seen earlier. Right there, in black ink, is Lita’s tidy handwriting.

I swallow the ball of emotion that clogs my throat, and then stiffen my spine before I start to read.

My little dancer,

Today was your first day at Pearson, and I couldn’t be prouder. I spent the entire day telling every single person at Sunrise Harbor all about my beautiful mija who’s destined for greatness.

I say this without an ounce of bias. You got your gift from me, you know!

It’s a simple fact and something that I have always known. My only regret is that I won’t be there to see it – or perhaps I will in body, but not in mind.

Already I can feel myself slipping away further with each passing day. Small things that would mean nothing to someone else, but I know in my heart that it’s the turning of the tide.

So, I’m making this for you—and for me, I think, for the days when I need to be reminded—so that you will know where your roots began.

And if I have done my job right, then I pray to the Lord that you spread those wings I gave to you so that you can soar to the heights that I know you will.

When you make it back home, I hope you’ll visit the places that are part of your heritage and think fondly of me. Know that I will be with you every step of the way, mi conchita linda.

Always.

And if you can, try to visit my favorite place in this world. Playa Conchal is a beach near our home in Brasilito, and it holds some of my fondest memories.

I’ll be waiting there with your abuelo.

Te amo, Reyna. Te amo infinitamente.

My eyes scan the last line once, then twice, before the tears fall, and I turn into the comforting embrace of my person.

CHAPTER23

ALEX

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