“I’m Mary, by the way.” Valentina’s mom gave me a tight hug. She was pretty with short dark hair and green eyes that sparkled when Max spoke. “Oh wow, you are tall.”
“Mom.” Valentina turned a deep shade of red. How much had she told them about me?
With a pat on my back, she gestured for us to come in. “You’re just in time. Lunch is almost ready.”
In the kitchen, Valentina sat at the kitchen counter, giving me a brilliant smile. She wanted me here, in her life. I couldn’t wait to marry her and build something new with her.
“Want a beer?” Jav dug through an ice chest next to the kitchen door, which let out to the backyard.
“Yeah. I’ll take one. Thanks,” I said.
“Dad only drinks one brand.” Valentina gave me an apologetic look.
“That’s fine.” I took the beer he offered. I’d drunk worse things in college.
“Okay. I’m gonna go check on the grill,” he said.
“Need help with that?” I asked.
“Sure, thanks.” He gestured for me to follow as he limped his way toward the door.
With a wink to Valentina, I went out to the backyard with him. The grill was smoking something fierce. Jav opened the lid and sprayed some of his beer on the flames.
With a shrug, he turned to me. “Improves the flavor.”
“That’s a good tip.” I smiled and swallowed half my beer.
He rearranged the chicken on the grill, checking each piece. Probably to make sure it wasn’t all burned. He rubbed his left leg and surveyed my face. “Some days are better than others,” he said by way of explanation.
“What happened?”
He shrugged. “Cop stuff. Got shot three times, point blank.” He sat on a lawn chair and swigged his beer. “One through the shoulder.” He dug a finger on his right side and drew a line across his chest, down to his heart. “The heart and then the leg. I thought I was a goner. Doctors thought so too.”
“Good grief,” I said. Really, what else could I say?
“You know, the doctor couldn’t get the bullet out of my chest.”
I drew my eyebrows together. “It’s still in there? How?”
“Yeah. Hell if I know. Big guy up there must need me here for something. Only way to explain what happened.”
Valentina’s dad was like a character out of a Jason Bourne movie. If Jav ever found out about Alex Maio, he’d pulverize the asshole. Was that why Valentina never said anything? She would never do anything to help that jerk. Whatever she did, keeping quiet about the whole affair was to keep her family safe.
“Is that why you retired?” I asked. He couldn’t be older than fifty. Hardly retirement age.
He nodded. “Looks like you two patched things up.”
The switch in topic took me by surprise. Guess we were done with the chitchat, if I could call it that. Was this his subtle way of intimidating me? Or a fucked-up way to open up and welcome me into the family?
Time to find out.
He’d gone straight to the point. I wanted to do the same. “Sir. I’d like to ask your permission to date your daughter.”
He grinned. “I appreciate you asking. Shows your intentions are serious. I like that.” He took a swig of his beer.
I did the same. “Well. I’m glad you like it because I’d like to also ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.” I hadn’t meant for it to come out so formal. Nerves, I guess.
He coughed, choking on his beer. He cleared his throat a couple of times and asked, “Isn’t it a little soon for that? Dating is one thing, but marriage? That’s…that’s forever.”
“I know. It’s what I want. And if you think my decision requires more time, I’m willing to wait as long as necessary.”
His laugh was deep. “When I first met Valentina’s mom, I thought she was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen.” He let out a breath, rubbing his leg. “Didn’t take me long to figure out she was also the most stubborn.”
“I think I know what you mean,” I said. Valentina was the most beautiful woman I’d met. But she could be stubborn as hell. I thought of her no-kissing and no-sex rules and how much I’d enjoyed making her see reason. The passion and determination toward everything she did was why I loved her. One thing was for certain—life with Valentina would never be boring.
“You sure? Mary’s stubbornness is nothing compared to Valentina’s.”
“I’ve been on the receiving end of it more than once. I’m sure.”
He barked out a laugh.
“Do we have your blessing? I know it would mean a lot to Valentina. To me.”
“Looks like Valentina finally met her match,” he said with a nod.
Valentina came out, carrying a salad bowl. She set it on the picnic table and turned to me. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah. I’m ready.” I met her gaze.
Chapter Thirty-One
Right on Time
Valentina
I wrapped my hands around my cup of latte to keep them warm. It was hot outside, so naturally the AC was on full blast inside. I sat by the bay window at Cafe Triste and waited for Mr. Quad Americano, Cole. My Cole. The rain had gone from a downpour to a gentle drizzle. Soon the monsoon season would be over, and we could all go back to complaining about the dry heat.
In the past couple of months, Cole and I had managed to survive meeting in-laws, getting married, and honeymooning in Bora Bora. Cole’s choice. He’d wanted a place where clothes were optional. After spending three weeks in an over-the-water bungalow, I’d have to say I was glad to be dressed again. A smile tugged at my lips. I looked around the coffee shop, hoping no one had noticed my hot cheeks.
And, yeah, we had our fairy-tale wedding. As Annie put it, why the hell not?
I’d never thought I would want a big wedding. But when Cole had asked what my dream wedding looked like, I came up with a pretty huge dream. Between Nikki and Annie, we had the perfect wedding reception out in Cole’s backyard. Our backyard. We had over four hundred guests, half of which were my family. The other half were his friends and family. Cole had told the truth about his parents. They were totally normal, welcoming, and not at all fazed by the size of my clan.
Cole turned the corner. He stopped to wait for the light to turn green and ran his hands through his hair. I took a long sip of my decaf latte and blew out a breath. He still had that effect on me. Gosh, how did I manage to sit here for six months and not jump him?
His eyes met mine across the street. I exhaled, holding his gaze. The light changed, but he didn’t make an effort to move. He gave me brilliant smile and headed toward me. Inside, the barista waited to take his order, her usual grin on.
“Quad americano, please,” he ordered. “And a water.”
Some things shouldn’t have to change, I thought with a smile. Cole went past his table and sat next to me. Others could be improved.
“How was your day, sweetheart?” he asked.
“It was great. You?”
“Not bad.” The man knew me better than anyone else. His look said it all. “You asked me to meet you here. You’re dressed, so I’m assuming we’re not here for a quickie.” He flashed me a sexy grin that promised he’d make it worth my while if I was up for it.
“I got something for you.” I dug through my shopping bags, embarrassed for what I had to tell him. No, I hadn’t learned my lesson.
He sat back in his chair, intrigued. “Out with it, Valentina.”
My eyes filled with tears. I had a cute plan to give him a silver rattle to deliver the good news. But now it seemed cheesy. Maybe the hormones were already kicking in. His face changed as he leaned forward. He cupped my face, thumbing my tears away.
“Sweet girl, don’t cry.” He ran his thumb over my cheekbones again.
“Cole, we’re having a baby,” I blurted out. “I had a nice speech prepared. It was cute and romantic.”
“What?” He stood, knocking over the chair he was sitting on. He pulled me to my feet, a mix o
f panic and joy in his face. “Are you sure?”
“Relax. We’re not having a baby right this instant.” I giggled.
His deep laugh reverberated through the room. “Oh right. You’re sure, though?”
I nodded. “The doctor confirmed it today. I’m eight weeks along. I can’t believe I didn’t realize it sooner. I just feel silly. After what happened with Max, I thought the next time I got pregnant, it wouldn’t take me by surprise.”
Cole and I had briefly talked about having kids. I knew he wanted them, although we had never agreed on a time frame. But now that we had a baby on the way, I really wanted this. I wanted a baby with Derek Cole.
It was so obvious to me now. It had never been about not making mistakes along the way. But rather about making mistakes with the right person. This time, I was sure Cole was the right man for me.
Wrapping his arms around my waist, he picked me up and did a half turn. “That’s the thing about the best laid-out plans. A change in wind can come at any time.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Mad? Why would I be mad? This is incredible news, Valentina.” He kissed me, a deep and soft kiss. “You make me so happy. I’m so in love with you.”
“Me too.”
“Let’s take the rest of the day off,” he whispered in my ear.
I would never have the strength or a good reason to say no this man. I melted into his arms as he kissed me again.
I could’ve spent my whole life planning, scribbling lists, and laying out perfect plans. But I supposed love had its own plan, even when we didn’t want it to…when we couldn’t find a way to forgive ourselves for our past mistakes.
Cole was the change in winds I never saw coming. And at the same time, the one thing I’d been waiting for. Looking back on it, we had the answer in front of us the whole time. For six months, to be exact. Literally staring us in the face. Love had been there waiting for us. In the end, it caught up to us.
Right on time.
Discussion Questions
1. Valentina promised her son he’d come to live with her after graduation. However, they never agreed on an exact time frame. Why do you think she set such a constrained timeline on herself? Why couldn’t she wait until she’d had a year or two of income and could afford the rental she wanted?
2. Derek is an accomplished businessman who’s not afraid to go after what he wants. Why did he wait six months to reach out to Valentina? Why not approach her as a friend?
3. After Valentina moves into Derek’s cottage, Derek is relentless in his pursuit. What do you think was his plan for her, if he had no interest in a relationship?
4. Derek’s relationship with his ex-wife was mostly business related. In the end, Bridget played the part of a jealous ex-wife. Do you think she had real feelings for him? Could they have worked things out if she hadn’t been addicted to gambling? Why or why not?
5. After almost six years, Valentina finds a reason to forgive herself for getting pregnant her first year in college. Her parents and Annie were supportive of her. Why was she so hard on herself?
A word about the author…
Diana Hicks became an avid reader when she found her first romance novel tucked away in a corner of her high school library. The more books she read, the more she wanted to be a writer.
She has a master’s degree in information systems and accountancy and for many years worked for a major Fortune 100 telecommunications company as an IT project manager (as one does when pursuing a career as a romance author).
These days, when she’s not writing, Diana enjoys running half marathons, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband.
Visit her at:
http://DianaHicksBooks.com
or at:
Facebook Closed Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DianaSexyReaders/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianaHicksAuthor/
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Love Over Lattes Page 25
