“My personal life is my business.”
Eating in mostly stony silence, they spoke only in short spurts about the changes in school since Bleaker had left. Work was so much better now. After finishing, they walked to their cars parked side by side.
Lorenzo stood at her door, not letting her open it. “About earlier—“
“You overstepped your boundaries,” Valeria declared. “Why would you even ask about Leonel?”
“I saw you and him at The Revolutionary Taco.”
Valeria frowned. “We were just talking.”
“Just talking?”
“What’s it to you anyway?”
His dark eyes sat on her, gazing into her. Abruptly grabbing her by the waist, he pulled her to him. It only took a few sort seconds for his lips to be on hers. The heated passion emanating from both struck her as strangely familiar and yet unlike anything she had ever experienced.
She pulled away and nervously fumbled with the keys to her car.
“Valeria—”
“I can’t talk about this right now.”
“But—”
“I can’t.”
“Valeria—”
“Please, Lorenzo. I really need to leave.”
Chapter 35
After a few days of having her avoid him, Lorenzo decided that enough was enough. They saw each other at school and she nodded at him but shut off any attempts at conversation. During the evening, she wouldn’t answer her cell phone. If that sizzling kiss had meant nothing to her, then he needed to hear it from her so he could at least try to put a halt at what was smoldering inside of him.
Finally, one evening he showed up at her apartment determined to clear up their situation. When he made certain her vehicle was in the parkway, he reached her apartment and knocked thunderously.
“What are you doing here?” she asked with shock when she swung the door open.
“We need to talk,” he stated,
“How did you know where I lived?”
“Billy.”
“Billy?” she asked incredulously.
“He lives in the next apartment building. A while back he told me he had seen you here,” Lorenzo explained. Valeria frowned deeply.
“Listen, I’m not here to bother you," he continued. "My life has been pretty crazy the past few months. I just want to talk to you and after tonight, if you don’t ever want to see me again then I promise not to get in your way, okay?”
Valeria solemnly nodded. “Okay,” she said, stepping away from the door. “Come in.”
She led him to her sofa where they quietly sat down. An awkward silence ensued with neither knowing what to say.
“About the other night . . .” Lorenzo finally spoke.
“You don’t have to apologize,” she said, her eyes fixed on the floor.
“I wasn’t going to apologize.”
“You weren’t?” she asked, surprised.
“No.”
“So what did you want to say about it?”
“About the kiss . . .”
“I know, it was the drinks and the romantic setting.”
“That’s not what I was about to say,” he said, annoyed.
“It wasn’t?”
He abruptly jerked forward, practically forcing her to look at him with his intensity. “Was that all that kiss was to you—a romantic setting and wine?”
“Well . . .”
“Tell me the truth. I need the truth. You don’t have to spare my feelings.”
She studied her hands for as few seconds. “It was more than atmosphere and booze,” she mumbled quietly.
“What was it to you?” he asked, putting his fingertip under her chin and pulling her face up to meet his stare.
“I . . . I . . .”
“I should’ve told you this a while back,” he said lightly. “But I’m not in a relationship anymore. She moved out.”
“I know.”
“You do?” he asked, perplexed.
“She came to see me.”
“She what?”
“Did you know she was my therapist?” informed Valeria.
“Yes, I knew.”
“She had my address, so she paid me a visit,” Valeria stated.
“What did she say to you?”
“She was heartbroken over the break-up.”
He turned away. “She’s the one who left me.”
“What if she comes back?”
His eyes went to hers again. “It’s over between us.”
“But—“
“It’s over, Valeria, over.”
“But—“
He abruptly put his hand on her cheek, making her face him. His lips met hers with strong purpose. Without the gentility of before, he kissed her fervently. Her intense compliance urged him on.
Reluctantly, he forced himself to disengage since they were alone in her apartment, and he needed to regain control of his primordial instincts. He took a few breaths before speaking.
“About Leonel,” he managed to say.
“We’re not together,” Valeria rushed, her lips still throbbing with the pressure of his.
“No?”
“He’s with someone else now.”
“What about Billy?”
“Billy Woods?” she asked with disbelief in her voice.
“He was always around you for a while, right?”
Valeria rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t cross the street with that Casanova much less date him.”
“Casanova?”
“That’s what he is, right?”
Lorenzo chuckled. “Right, that’s what he is.”
“I don’t mean to insult your friend, but I don’t like how he treats women.”
“We’re not actually friends, and I’ve lectured him about his ways many times.”
Valeria grinned. “Many times?”
“It all went from one ear through the other. He doesn’t learn but now that he came up against a brick wall maybe he’ll change.”
“A brick wall?”
“You,” he said simply.
“I’m a brick wall?” Valeria stated, feigning insult.
“It takes a certain kind of a person not to be seduced with all that charm.”
“I wish I could take credit, but I didn’t find him charming at all.”
“Not at all?” he asked, chuckling.
“He’s not my type,” she stated.
“What’s your type?” he asked softly.
“A man who drives fast cars and throws money at you doesn’t impress me.”
“What impresses you?”
“Kindness, compassion, intelligence to name a few qualities,” Valeria explained.
“That really impresses you?”
“Not all of us are looking for the bad boy.”
“And Billy for sure is a bad boy,” Lorenzo asserted.
“Annoying is a better word for him.”
“I’m glad I don’t annoy you.”
“How do you know that you don’t annoy me?” she asked, teasing.
He smiled before putting his hand on the small of her back and pushing her towards him. His mouth lingered on hers before finally pulling himself away.
“What’ll we do?” stammered Valeria, breaking the silence that had taken over the atmosphere in the room.
“I think we need to figure out if we belong together, don’t you think?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s get to know one another.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I’m going to Acapulco for the fall break. Do you want to come?”
“What?” she asked, alarmed.
“No, it’s not what you think. I’m meeting my parents there. They have a timeshare.”
“Time share?”
“I thought this would be a good way for us to get to know each other outside of here. We can leave so much behind. We’ll stay at a hotel and will each have our own rooms—of course.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” murmured Valeria.
Chapter 36
As the fall break fast approached, Valeria would unsuccessfully try to tell Lorenzo she had changed her mind. Even a bird had a right to change directions in mid air. She failed to broach the subject, though, because every time she got close to him or even heard his voice over the phone, she’d lose her resolve. With prickly irritation, she realized how much she wanted to take this trip with him.
Despite her many apprehensions, she found herself nervous but exited during the flight. “Will your parents already be in Acapulco when we get there?”
“Yes,” he said, his dark eyes on her. “They got there yesterday.”
“Where did they fly in from?.”
“Albuquerque.”
“You’re from Albuquerque?”
“No, I’ve lived in El Paso most of my life.”
“When did your parents move to New Mexico?”
“A few years ago.”
“Why did they move?” she asked, his clean aromatic cologne deep in her nose.
“They’re balloon festival fanatics.”
“What did you say?” asked Valeria, surprised.
“I’m kidding,” he said, playfully.
Valeria chuckled. “Hey, those hot air balloon festivals are pretty awesome.”
“They moved to Albuquerque because my sister and her husband live there. She had a baby and they wanted to be near their first grandchild.”
“Oh,” Valeria said, remembering what Dr. O’Leary had told her about him not wanting kids and not wanting commitments. She harshly shoved the troubling conversation with the therapist as far away as she could.
“Where do your parents live?” he asked, his voice curious.
“El Paso.”
“It’s got to be great having them so close.”
“It is,” she smiled warmly.
“I think it’s very important to keep in close contact with your loved ones.”
“I think so too.”
“You never know when something’s going to happen to one of them,” he expressed, his eyebrows knitted together. “I’ve always had that anxiety—even as a little kid. I was always scared that something might happen to someone I love.”
“Lots of bad things happen in this world.”
“My parents almost got killed in a traffic accident when I was a kid,” he commented.
“That must’ve been scary for you.”
“I still think about what could’ve happened. Luckily, they had their seatbelts on. Since then, I’ve never taken them for granted, and I’ve never been able to shake away the feeling that life is very fragile.”
After checking into the Hotel Playa, Valeria unpacked with an overwhelming sense of adventure. As she glanced at the white door that joined her room to Lorenzo's, she wondered if he had finished unpacking yet. A knock resounded, startling her When she opened the door, he stood smiling sheepishly on the other side.
“How do you like your room?” he asked, his wide smile reaching for her.
“It’s beautiful, very luxurious.”
He nodded. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Acapulco is a whole different world.”
“You had never been here?” he asked incredulously.
“No, I’ve always wanted to come but have never had the chance.”
“It’s an incredible place.”
“The ocean is spectacular.”
He nodded. “Listen, I’ve got to go visit with my parents. I don’t mean to leave you here on your own, but I don’t want you to think you have to meet my parents yet.”
“I’d love to meet your parents,” she blurted.
“You would?”
“Yes,” Valeria asserted. “Unless you don’t want me to meet them yet.”
“I’d love for you to meet them,” he murmured, his eyes sat on hers.
In the rented vehicle, he gave Valeria a quick tour before heading to his parents' place. It struck her again, like it had on the drive from the airport to the hotel, how many American businesses thrived in the Mexican tourist city. Fast food restaurants and stores with signs in English bombarded the streets.
As Valeria and Lorenzo arrived at a medium sized pretty condo, he gave her a grin. She returned the smile. Before knocking on the door, it swung open and his parents, his sister, and a four year old boy stepped out with immediate, warm hugs.
“We heard you drive up,” gushed Lorenzo’s mother, a tall radiant woman of Lorenzo’s coloring.
“We’ve been waiting for you for hours,” Mr. Montes said, his dark eyes the same color as his son’s.
“I want you to meet Valeria. Valeria, this is my mother, my father, my sister Julia and my wonderful nephew—Manolo.”
As Valeria started to shake their hands, they pushed her in their waiting arms and hugged her. Then they hustled her inside where they sat down at the dinner table. The colors of the condo were not mute tones but bright pastels in greens, blues, and yellows.
“I’ve made you you’re favorite, mijo,” said Mrs. Montes.
“You made me enchiladas?” asked Lorenzo. Valeria could hear the love in his voice.
“Yes.”
“Mama, you’re here for a vacation and not to cook for me,” he lightly chastised.
“I’m here to be with my family,” she responded firmly.
“Are you Uncle Lorenzo’s new girlfriend?” asked Manolo, having sat next to Valeria.
“Manolo!” chastised Julia.
“Kids say the funniest things,” commented Mr. Montes but all eyes were on Valeria who felt a thick blanket of discomfort come over her.
Lorenzo quickly changed the subject telling them about the new businesses he had noticed when he had given Valeria the quick tour of Acapulco. As they ate the enchiladas dripping in homemade red sauce, he told his family about what Valeria and he had accomplished at school with the Bleaker affair. The approval in the room for Valeria warmed her like a baby chick being insulated by its feathers on a cold night. What a difference between this family and Leonel’s dysfunctional one.
“How’s school, buddy,” asked Lorenzo, setting his dark eyes on his nephew. Manolo’s own light green eyes looked fondly at his uncle.
“I’m in school now,” the precocious child told Valeria with pride.
“You are?” asked Valeria, amused.
“Are you learning a lot?” Lorenzo asked, trying to sound stern in his playfulness.
“He’s only in pre-kinder but he already knows his colors and numbers,” Mrs. Montes gushed proudly.
“Danny goes over them with him over and over again,” explained Julia.
“Danny is her husband,” Lorenzo informed Valeria. “He couldn’t make this trip.”
“I know a lot,” asserted Manolo as he recited his numbers to twenty.
Lorenzo stared at him with a grin and pride. “I think you deserve a present.”
“A present?” Manolo asked, his eyes twinkling.
“Yes,” Lorenzo said, pulling out an envelope from his jacket.
“You spoil him too much,” insisted Julia.
“He’s my only nephew,” he stated, handing Manolo the envelope. “I’m going to spoil him as much as I can.
“Wow,” Manolo expressed when he opened his gift and found a certificate to Toys-R-Us.
“Buy anything you want except a—“
“A gun,” Manolo finished with disappointment. “But uncle, it won’t be for real.”
“I know but you know how much I hate those things—even the play ones. Don’t ever forget how much your uncle loves you,” stated Lorenzo.
“They have a special relationship,” Mrs. Montes told Valeria who was seated next to her. “It goes back to the special bond Lorenzo has with his sister. When they were young and Lorenzo was babysitting her, he noticed she was raging with fever. He carried her a few blocks to the hospital and saved her life. She had a bra
in infection, and the doctor told us she would’ve died if Lorenzo hadn’t done what he did.”
When the evening was over and they were driving back, Valeria stared at Lorenzo from the corner of her eye. Dr. O'Leary's assertion about him had been puzzling at best. For someone who didn’t want children, he demonstrated complete devotion to his nephew.
“You’ve got a great family, Lorenzo,” she commented.
“Thank you. They liked you too.”
“They did?” she asked.
He momentarily took his sight off the road and glanced at her with content eyes. “Yes, very much.”
“I liked them too. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Why aren’t you staying with them in the condo?”
“I didn’t want to abandon you at the hotel,” he said lightly. “I invited you here, and I wanted to be a good host.”
Valeria smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, taking one hand off the wheel and gently touching Valeria’s cheek. “Thanks for coming with me to visit my family.”
“It’s not necessary for you to thank me,” she responded, trying not to get lost in his touch.
“I had a great night with your family. They’re so friendly. They’d make anyone feel at home.”
Lorenzo put his hand back on the wheel. “Not everyone.”
“What do you mean?”
“They didn’t like Kate very much.”
“They didn’t?”
“Let me re-phrase that. They didn’t like Kate for me. They thought we weren’t right for each other.”
Valeria started chuckling.
Lorenzo glanced at her with curiosity. “Why are you laughing?”
“My parents thought the same of Leonel.”
“Maybe our parents know more than we do,” he said lightly.
Chapter 37
“You’re in love with her,” Lorenzo’s mother blurted when he had arrived at the condo the following day. Valeria had insisted that he spend private time with his family instead of as she put it, babysitting her.
“We’re just starting out,” Lorenzo answered quickly.
“But you’re already in love, right?”
“Mama—“
“It’s no use arguing with your mother,” insisted Mr. Montes. “She always knows everything.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” she expressed. “But I do know my son.”
“Mama, no matter what I’m feeling, the woman I was with for five years left me. I’m not going to jump into anything without being careful.”
“You never felt for Kate what you feel for Valeria, isn’t that right?” she asked gently.
He let out an exasperated noise. “Mama—“