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“Boundaries are the worst,” she jokes.
“And now that your cousins know?”
“Now that they know, I worry about how long I can keep it from everybody else. And when it gets to everybody else, will they support it? Or will they tear it apart, too?”
“Sometimes, people surprise you,” I say.
“And sometimes they respond just how you think they will.”
I look at her for a moment, considering what I’m about to offer. “You should call Tara and go shopping for the milonga together.”
“What?”
“I think you would like it. I think she would, too.”
“She’s not busy?”
I shrug. “Call her and find out. She’ll be happy to hear from you.”
“Why?” she asks, confused.
“Why will she be happy to hear from you?” I laugh. “She likes you.”
“No. Why should I call her?” she clarifies.
“Because,” I sigh. “I don’t want you to get negative feelings about anything that we’re doing here. Especially with the dance.I want you surrounded by supportive people that will root for you and whatever it is that you’re doing.”
She almost smiles, a small twist of her lips like she’s fighting it. “Fine. I’ll call her.”
I kiss her forehead softly as her eyes start to close, and I push down any more words that are prone to spilling out. I’ve said enough tonight.
Chapter twenty-eight
Julieta
“You look … different,”Larissa tells me during our lunch hour. It’s finally cool enough to truly enjoy the outdoor picnic tables.
“The hair cut?”
“That thing is old news. No, this is something else.” She regards me.
I think about how I’ve kept her at arm’s length, and how I don’t know if I want to anymore. How hard it is when you’re doing things alone, keeping secrets to keep the peace.
What peace is there when you’re hiding everything?
“I’ve been doing … something,” I start.
“Something orsomeone?” she asks, eyebrows raised.
I’m sure my answering laugh gives me away, a sort of embarrassed chuckle that leads to a blush. “I guess both.”
“Ah! Tell. Me. Everything,” she squeals. Her smile is a mile wide as she dips a carrot stick in her ranch and takes a bite. I can’t help but wince.
“Oh. Well. Remember that ballroom date you had?”
“Mr. Dancing with the Stars? Yeah.”
“So, I sort of took that advice and decided to try my hand at tango.”
