Page 65 of Unsure in Love

He chuckled. “I’m glad you like her.”

“I love her. She’s sweet, hilarious, and such a free spirit. She has fiancés, plural, she calls you Damian darling in the most dramatic way ever, she isn’t afraid to speak her mind, she keeps a flask of liquor in her bosom, and she’s an artist. Lucia is like my spirit animal.”

He tilted his head back and laughed. “You actually appreciate my aunt’s insanity. I can see that you two are going to be great friends.”

That was something I looked forward to, getting to know Damian’s family. We hadn’t discussed how we’d maneuver around the distance between us, but I figured I’d be making frequent trips to New York in the future. Hopefully, Damian and his family would visit Nebraska when they could.

“I want to move in with her just to be graced with her whimsical charm every day,” I joked. “My sister Ruby would absolutely adore Aunt Lucia too.” Guilt pricked me in the chest as I thought about my own family that was still in the dark about the things going on in my life. Was it unfair to be here with Damian’s family while hiding from mine? I felt awful.

“Whimsical.” Damian snorted, pulling me back from my contrition. “That’s one word to describe her.”

I studied him for a moment. “You love the way she is, don’t you? I can tell you two are close.”

“She drives me crazy—has been since I was a kid—but I wouldn’t want her to change for the world.”

I gnawed at my lower lip, contemplating asking him why it was Lucia and his father who raised him. Had his mother passed away? I was afraid to ask, not wanting to risk bringing up bad memories. “Tell me a little something about your father before I meet him. Is he anything like Lucia?”

“God no. Dad is on the serious side. Well, he’s as warm and welcoming as his sister, but nowhere near her level of outrageousness. He’s tough, smart and… a good man.”

I smiled. “So, you’re the perfect mix of your aunt’s and father’s personalities.”

Damian was serious for the most part, but he had a laidback humorous side that came out sometimes. I had no doubt it was his aunt’s influence. But I learned that not just anyone can incite his playful side. It satisfied me that I was one of the few who did.

He quirked an eyebrow. “I never thought of it, but maybe I am like them both in certain ways.”

“How long has your father been living here?” I asked.

“A year.” A somber air surrounded him. “He decided to move to a facility where he could get assistance.” His heavy sigh surrounded us. “Dad is very sick. But, the stubborn man that he is, he refuses to stay with me or Lucia. I worry about him being alone here. He doesn’t have much time left.”

Speechless, I stared at him. I never imagined his father was in such a bad state. I twisted in my seat to face him. He looked miserable, and I felt terrible for bringing up a heavy topic.

It was a struggle to come up with what to say. “Damian… I... I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something so—”

“It’s okay. I’ve come to terms with the inevitable and so has Dad. That makes me feel somewhat better. He’s accepted his prognosis, and he’s at peace.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Cancer is a bitch. Dad is seventy-five. I thought I’d have more time with him.”

I reached across the center console to rest my hand on his. “I can’t imagine what you go through every day knowing that your father…” I blew out a breath. What could I even say to comfort him? “I’m sorry,” I said again, lamely.

He smiled, but it was a sad one. I’d never seen him in this mood, and I wasn’t sure what to do. He laced our fingers and lifted my hand to press his lips to the back of it. The gesture made me smile.

“Don’t feel bad,” he said. “I don’t want you to feel sorry or sad. Dad will be excited to meet you and to hear about the baby. Like Aunt Lucia, he thought I was hopeless when it came to grandchildren, I’m sure.”

“Well, you showed them… accidentally,” I quipped. Months later, realizing that my child’s father might just be the best co-parent, I could joke about the situation.

After a beat of silence, he laughed. When our gazes locked, he said, “I’m starting to think this is the best accident to ever happen.”

My heart jolted at the blatant affection in his eyes. I swallowed hard, not because my typical fear of getting attached to a man kicked in, but because I shared his sentiment. My lips parted to tell him I thought so too, but I just couldn’t get the words out.

Damian watched me with an unreadable expression, then he rescued me from my struggle. Squeezing my hand lightly, he said. “Let’s go in. I called Dad and told him I was bringing a special guest. He’s excited.”

When he released my hand and got out of the car, I blew out a long breath. “Why am I like this?” I whispered. Then I recalled my childhood with my borderline insane mother…

“Right,” I said before Damian opened my door. I’d been traumatized to the point of not wanting to connect with anyone on an intimate, romantic level.

* * *

When we stepped into Luis Alvarez’s bedroom, I was hesitant to go further. After what Damian shared, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Damian propelled me inside with a hand on my lower back. There was a red-haired woman dressed in scrubs. She was standing over Luis’s medical bed, blocking my view of the man.

She tinkered with the oxygen tank beside his bed. “You’re all set for the night, Luis.”

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