“I saw that from the start. She is very caring and as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.”
“Thank you,” Julia said, beaming.
“Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been mentioning Jake’s faults because I’m a little annoyed with him, and impatient, but he’s a man of high integrity like his father was.” Emily smiled. “And he’s a wonderful son. Truly, I couldn’t ask for better.”
“I’m sure you’re right, Emily. You raised a gentleman. Jake was very attentive and good to Pilar in New York. She told us she’d never met anyone as wonderful as he.”
Emily’s phone rang, and she let out a surprised squeal. “Well, look at that,” she crowed, showing Julia the iPhone screen. “Jake’s ears must have been ringing,” she said before answering it.
“Hi, son. How nice to hear from you. Where are you calling from?”
“I’m in San Francisco. I’ll be here for the next week.”
“Oh, good. I’m glad you’re back in the States. Will you be returning to Shanghai after San Francisco?”
“No, my work is finished there. As soon as I wrap things up here, I’m heading to New York.”
“Oh?” She waited for him to elaborate.
“My place in Brooklyn Heights was vacated, and I’ve decided not to rent it out just yet.”
“Does that mean you’re staying in New York for a while?” she said, holding her breath with hope.
“Yeah, I have some matters to attend to and several others to think about,” he said.
“OK, well, you’ll never guess who I’m having tea with,” Emily said, changing the subject before he brought up selling The Sweet Spot. Before he’d left for Shanghai, she’d told him to put any talk of a sale on hold until she returned in the spring.
She felt at ease being away from the shop with Choco Bear at the helm. He’d found an excellent chocolatier to fill in for Gracie while she was on maternity leave, and the back room was running like clockwork as they got ready for Valentine’s Day next week.
“Who are you having tea with?” Jake said.
“Julia, Pilar’s mom. But instead of having tea with our scones, we’re having mimosas and watching the sunset.”
“Is Pilar there too?” he said instantly. She heard the eager anticipation in his voice.
“No.” Emily hesitated. “I haven’t seen her in a long while.” She hated lying to him, but it was for his own good.
“Why not?”
“She’s very busy these days. Every time I try to make a plan with her, she can’t make it.”
“That doesn’t sound like her. I would think she’d make time for you,” he said, sounding grouchy.
“I think I heard she joined a dating app. She has a very active social life.” Emily winked at Julia, and they shared silent laughter. “Pilar is so beautiful. Any guy would be a fool not to snap her up.”
“I see what you’re doing, Mom, and I’m not amused.” His voice sounded grim.
“I wasn’t trying to amuse you,” she said ironically.
He fired off an expletive.
“Language, Jake,” she admonished, grinning at Julia.
“Loyalty, Mom,” he countered. “Whose side are you on anyway?”
“Must I take a side?” Emily said blandly. “I didn’t realize you two were at war.”
“We’re not,” he bit out. “Oh, never mind. Don’t let on to her mother what I said.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
“Good,” he grunted.
“Sorry to end our nice chat, but I have to go now. Our mimosas are losing their fizz.” She stifled a laugh. She was really laying it on thick. She couldn’t blame him for sounding irritated.
“Wait—" he rumbled.
“It’s not polite for me to be on the phone while Julia is here. Have a good trip and don’t work too hard.”
“You’re one to talk,” he muttered.
“I’ve changed my ways here in paradise. You know what they say about all work and no play, son.” She smiled at his annoyed groan. “Talk to you later. Love you,” she said cheerfully.
Julia’s chest shook in merriment when Emily hung up.
“You should have heard him,” Emily said joining in her mirth.
“You don’t have to tell me,” Julia said. “I have two sons of my own. I know how they’d react.”
“He erupted like a volcano when I mentioned Pilar was on a dating app.”
Julia slanted a curious look at her. “I had no idea she was dating again. Did Pilar tell you that?”
Emily waved a blithe hand. “No, I made it up.”
“Clever of you,” Julia said with a muffled snort of amusement. “Sometimes these men need a bit of shaking up.”
“Exactly.” Emily’s lips lifted in a sly smile. “Now we wait. If I know my son, he’ll be here soon.”
“And then fireworks?” Julia predicted eagerly.
Emily winked. “Of the best kind. Shall we eat?” she inquired, gesturing toward the three-tiered serving platter which held scones, pastries and tiny tea sandwiches.
Julia helped herself to a scone. “Don’t mind if I do. I have really enjoyed getting to know you, Emily.”
“Likewise. We moms must stick together,” Emily said, choosing a mini chocolate éclair for herself and a shortbread cookie for Suzette.
Julia raised her mimosa. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Chapter 21
The moment Jake hung up with his mother, he shot up and paced the room irritably. His hand clutched his iPhone in a death grip. Her taunt had hit a raw nerve. I think I heard she joined a dating app. Pilar is so beautiful. Any guy would be a fool not to snap her up.
So, Pilar was popular with the men. Of course, she was. She was gorgeous, but most of all, her endearing personality made a guy feel warm and happy inside. A mordant stab of jealousy rocked him as stark reality dawned. He could lose the only woman he’d ever imagined spending the rest of his life with.
Whether Mom was yanking his chain, or whether it was true that Pilar was active on a dating app, it didn’t make a difference. He had to go down to Naples to claim his elusive butterfly, or some other guy would.
He dialed Choco Bear’s number with an idea brewing. “Hi,” he said when Choco Bear answered. “It’s Jake. I’m calling from San Francisco.”
“Hey, bud. Good to hear your voice. What are you doing on the west coast?”
“I’m here on business for another week, and then I’m heading to New York. Are you going down to Naples for Valentine’s Day?” he said, getting right to the point.
“I am, but it’s a surprise for Emily. Don’t tell her.” Choco Bear chuckled. “How did you know?”
“Strong hunch,” Jake said dryly. Choco Bear wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Emily. Jake could learn a thing or two from him. He told Choco Bear about his argument with Pilar on New Year’s Day and the older man took it in stride as he listened. He’d probably heard all about it from Emily.
“That’s too bad. Pilar is a wonderful young woman. Everyone here misses her.”
“I miss her more.”
“You can’t let the animosity continue or you’ll grow further apart.”
“I don’t want to, but she doesn’t want me to contact her. She said she’d let me know when she was ready to talk.”
“I wouldn’t pay too much attention to what she said when she was angry and hurt. In my experience, it’s female code for come and get me,” Choco Bear said with irony. “A woman likes her man to fight for her.”
“I aim to fight for her. It hasn’t helped that I’ve been abroad, but now that I’m back in the States, I’m ready,” Jake vowed.
“What are you going to do?”
“I have an idea.” He paused. “I could use your help with Mom.”
“Name it, you got it,” Choco Bear said without hesitation.
“Hold on, Pili. Looks like a strand of your hair is caught on the zipper,” Erica said, as they traversed the living room of
their apartment on their way out.
Pilar stopped and let Erica untangle her hair from the fastener. “Thanks.”
Erica circled Pilar with an appraising eye. “You look perfectly gorgeous this Sunday afternoon.”
“Thanks, so do you. But what’s all this fuss about?” Pilar searched her eyes. “It’s just my birthday, Rica.”
Erica’s brows rose. “Your 30th birthday. That’s a big reason to celebrate.”
Pilar rolled her eyes. “Do you have to rub in my age? And please don’t remind me it’s Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, I’m turning 32 this year, so quit complaining. Mamá just called to tell us to hurry up. Nico wants to see you.”
“Aw, I’m so happy our baby brother flew in for my birthday,” Pilar said, eager to see him. Nico held a special place in his heart since he’d gone through a traumatic kidnapping as a child. He was the only Falcon sibling living out of town, and she hadn’t seen him since Gabe and Lily’s baby Xavier was born. “So sweet of him to come.”
“Of course, he came. When one Falcon celebrates, we all gather in the nest,” Erica said cheerfully. She nudged her toward the foyer. “We’d better get going. Everyone’s waiting for us to arrive.”
“Who’s everyone?” Pilar said, fingering the butterfly earring dangling from her earlobe.
“The fam, and Emily and Choco Bear.” Erica’s eyes flickered. “Love that guy’s name. Does he really look like a bear?”
“Yes, Choco Bear is big ole teddy bear and a sweetheart.” Her voice dropped. “Unlike Emily’s absentee son,” she said with a curl of her lip as she opened the door.
“Hey, chin up. Jake isn’t exactly absentee. He’s waiting for your call,” Erica said following her outside.
“Maybe he isn’t waiting for it.” Pilar locked the door. “For all I know, he might have fallen in love with a girl overseas, or maybe Jessica has resurfaced.”
Erica waved a dismissive hand as they headed to her car in the parking lot. “I doubt it.”
Pilar’s shoulders rose with uncertainty as she got inside and put her seat belt on. “I’ve been trying to brace myself in case he’s moved on. But all I really want is Jake, tied up in a red ribbon and delivered to me like a giant box of chocolates,” she admitted with a rueful smile. “Lame, isn’t it?”
Erica snickered and turned on the car ignition. “A little far-fetched, but not lame. For you, the combination of chocolates and Jake would be addictive,” she said backing out of the parking space.
“True. A dangerous addiction,” she admitted, slowly shaking her head.
They fell silent on the twenty-minute drive to their parents’ house in Bonita Springs, each lost in thought.
“When are you going to call him?” Erica said, breaking the quietness. “Isn’t six weeks enough time to make him suffer?”
“It feels a lot longer than that. I don’t want either of us to suffer anymore, but I can’t reach out to him today.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’ll be hard enough keeping a smile on my face. I don’t want to ruin everyone’s fun today. Especially Abuelita’s. You know how much she loves parties.”
Erica nodded. “Nico and Gabe will be jamming with Papá, so get your dancing shoes ready. You should see the piñata that Abuelita ordered for you from Mexico. It’s filled with all of your favorite candies and treats.”
Pilar smiled ruefully. “No matter how old we are, Abuelita always insists on a piñata, and we humor her because it’s so sweet.”
“And fun,” Erica added.
It wasn’t lost on Pilar how hard Erica and the entire family were trying to lift her spirits. She was so lucky to have their love to buoy her during the hard times. Her large, supportive family was a blessing that she never took for granted.
Her thoughts turned to Jake and her heart filled with poignant empathy. He was an only child, and his father had died last year. He had to feel lonesome at times, especially on faraway trips. She missed him so much. What she’d give to wrap her arms tightly around his big, strong body and hold him close to her heart—forever.
It was time to put the past behind and start anew with him. She didn’t care if it meant swallowing her pride. She loved Jake too much to let anything stand in the way.
Chapter 22
“Go, Pili, go,” the Falcon family’s voices chanted merrily as Pilar approached the multi-colored piñata. She felt a bit silly playing a childhood game at her age, but she went along with it like a good sport to appease her family. Truth was, it brought back many sweet memories.
With the wooden buster stick clutched in her hand, she stepped up and raised it, primed to bust open the weighty piñata. After a potent round of frosty pomegranate margaritas, the crowd’s mood was getting rowdy while they waited for her first strike.
Several feet behind her, Gabe, Lily, Erica, Nico and their cousins, Bianca and Raquel, stood in a single file on the backyard lawn awaiting their turn at the bat. The birthday girl went first, then each one took aim, starting with the youngest. That had been the order of the day since they were little kids.
Papá leaned against the massive tree trunk holding a long, sturdy rope connected to the piñata hanging over a thick branch. His tactic was to raise and lower the rope, challenging each player’s aim.
Blindfolded and a tad disoriented from being quickly spun around by Nico three times, Pilar swung her stick hard, but only encountered air as her aim missed the mark.
“Higher,” Gabe urged.
Bracing her legs for leverage, she raised the stick and flung it in a circular motion. She let out a triumphant squeal when a thwacking sound ensued. She shimmied her shoulders, getting into the spirit as her ebullient family cheered. She’d found her mark, now she needed to put muscle behind it.
“Atta girl. Let him have it!” Erica shouted boisterously. A burst of laughter followed her catcall, leaving no doubt that she was referring to Jake and not the bright, multi-colored donkey piñata.
Releasing her bottled-up frustrations, Pilar hauled the stick back and smacked the piñata with all her might as her competitive nature propelled her. She wanted to be the one to make the bulging piñata explode and release treats for all.
“Almost there,” Mamá called out eagerly.
“Do it again. Harder!” Abuelita shouted, her voice surprisingly robust.
Gritting her teeth, Pilar hauled back and swung, but the stick stopped in mid-air. It felt as if it had caught on something, but Pilar knew better. At each party since they were little, Nico had done this to her on her birthday. Just as she’d gotten close to her goal, he would creep up and seize the stick.
“Let go, Nico.” She tugged at the stick with all her might, but he doggedly held on. “Knock it off, little bro,” she yelled.
When he didn’t release his hold, Pilar yanked her blindfold off, ready to whack his butt with the stick in retaliation. But Nico wasn’t the one holding onto it. It was Jake! She let out a shriek and dropped the buster stick. Heart thumping riotously, her hand fluttered to her chest.
The room went silent as Papá lowered the piñata to the ground. Pilar could feel everyone’s eyes on them, but her attention was solely focused on Jake, and the intent way he watched her.
She went still, taking in the steely glint of his rapt gaze as his brows slowly lifted in silent question. Tension emanated from every pore of his body, capturing her in a minefield of intent. He was a man on a mission, and she, his willing target. Her chaotic mind groped for words.
“Where…when…why?” she stammered. Her gaze pivoted to her family to gauge their reactions. Nobody looked surprised, in fact they were beaming at her. Had they all been in on it? Emily stood beside Choco Bear with her hands clasped to her chest as she watched them.
Pilar’s dazed gaze flew back to Jake’s. Her eyes lovingly roved his face—the strong, defined jaw, the compressed set of lips, the vulnerable wariness of his gaze. A deep longing for him made her knees grow week. She swayed like a feat
her in the breeze and grabbed Jake’s sturdy forearms for support.
“Steady there,” he said, his voice low. His large hands bracketed her waist, bolstering her limp form. Her head dropped forward as she closed her eyes briefly and drew in a deep breath.
“You OK, sis?” Gabe said loudly.
“She’s fine,” Erica answered for Pilar. “Come on, folks, let’s leave the lovebirds alone.”
Jake turned toward them and said, “Don’t go yet. I want everyone to hear what I have to say to Pilar.” He searched her eyes. “Is that OK with you?”
Pilar dazedly nodded.
Jake released his hold on her waist and lifted her chin. “What’s going on in that beautiful head?” he said quietly.
“I’ve missed you. So much.” The rush of words tumbled from her mouth.
Her breath caught as a thankful smile curved his lips. “I’ve missed you too, darling.” His voice grew gruff with emotion. “I was wrong to stay away. I did it out of respect for your wishes, but I should’ve come sooner.”
Hot tears prickled her eyes as she nodded with aching need.
“I was dismissive about your concerns, and I’m sorry about that. I would never hurt you.” He blew out a breath. “Do you believe me?”
“Yes,” she said in all honesty.
“Thank you.” He inclined his head and said, “Happy Birthday, darling,” before he handed her a silver gift bag embossed with pink foil hearts. “Open it,” he urged.
Pilar’s hands shook as she separated the tissues and lifted a red, heart-shaped pillow from the bag. She stared at two keys fastened to the satin fabric, one brass one and a smaller gold on a delicate chain.
Jake unfastened the brass key and handed it to her. “This key opens the door to The Sweet Spot. My half ownership is yours now.”
A stunned gasp escaped her. She watched him with absorbed eyes. He was serious. “What do you mean?”
“You own half of the candy shop with my mother.”
Pilar’s shocked gaze riveted to Emily’s. To her astonishment, Emily smiled and nodded, adding her blessing to her son’s stunning proclamation.
The Holiday Sweet Spot: An opposites attract, gorgeous, feel-good romantic comedy (Falcons in Love Book 2) Page 16
