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Besides, my mom got along great with Ramón, for whatever reason. Well enough that when he extended an invitation to dinner at his parents’ place, she happily accepted without asking me first. While I knew in the back of my mind he’d talked to my mother—they FaceTimed, so she knew exactly what he looked like—I didn’t know they were making plans without including me in the decision-making process.
That was not cool, so I got pissed. Ramón and I argued, then I gave in because make-up sex on the empty construction site of Ramón’s new home with my man was incredible.
I thought about Ramón’s new house, and how close it was to being done, and how much I already loved it. We’d gone shopping one day in the antique and furniture district of Phoenix, and we’d purchased a lot of super comfy stuff for his house. He asked me to pick out his bedroom set, and I’d been happy when he’d instructed me to ‘get things that I loved.’ I knew it was his way of reminding me that he considered me already moved in with him, but I wasn’t quite ready to make that commitment yet. Ramón moved fast, very fast, and I had to make sure I was thinking with both my mind and my heart.
Then again…life was short, so why was I fighting it? If we were meant to be together, forever, why wait? It was crazy talk, the kind of fantasy I made fun of other girls for having about instant-love, but damned if I didn’t feel like Ramón was the one. I couldn’t imagine a future without him in it. He made my life…better. My sister Brittney would hate how co-dependent that sounded, but my little sister Winter would understand. She was in love with her soul-mate, anyone could see it, even if she was only seventeen.
I loved Winter to bits, though sometimes I did think she lived with her head in the clouds. Part of me wished she could come tonight—she had some cheerleading camp thing with the eight-year-olds she taught after school—but the other part of me was relieved she’d stay home. I’d have enough trouble handling just my parents, let alone keeping track of my overly honest sibling who considered everyone a friend.
She’d adore the idea of Ramón sweeping me off my feet and my tumbling head over heels into love with him.
My throat tightened as I considered that last thought.
I did love him, and the idea should scare me, but all I could feel was happiness and relief that I’d finally found a man who treasured me.
I bit my lower lip and turned my wrist to admire the gorgeous antique emerald bracelet I wore. The stones glinted with a striking inner fire in the flickering light of the TV. In general I’m not a vain or flashy person. I spent the vast majority of my teenage years wishing I was invisible, but seeing what amounted to a fortune in jewelry on my wrist sent a little thrill through me. It showed me that he cared, that he wanted the best for me, that he thought about me. Ramón had given me a matching set of earrings to go with the bracelet, but I hadn’t put those on. The bracelet was enough—with the earrings added, I looked like I was going to the Oscars.
I’d picked a subdued, black velvet dress decorated with tiny neon blue flowers, surrounded by lime green leaves embroidered on the fitted bodice. It covered me to my neck, but showed the shape of my figure. Instead of heels, I’d paired it with some cute black and blue leather flip flops that showed off my petal pink pedicure. Ramón had sent me to the spa, and I’d gotten the full package and then some. I was rubbed, buffed, and fluffed to perfection. My phone buzzed and I whipped off my headphones, then answered it with a smile.
“Hi, honey.”
Ramón’s deep, smooth voice filled me with tingles of anticipation. “Waiting outside for you.”
“I’ll be right out.”
With a skip in my step, I grabbed my purse then gave Mark a one-armed hug, laughing at his total concentration on the screen. “Later, ‘gator.”
He bobbed and weaved just like his character fighting in the game. “Have fun tonight.”
“Oh, yeah, I can’t wait. Nothings as relaxing as having your parents meet your boyfriend’s parents for the first time.”
“Boyfriend? Joy, that man thinks he’s already your husband.”
I sighed, but didn’t say anything. He was right. Ramón acted more like we were married than dating. It was nice, but it was also annoying.
“Tell your girlfriend I said goodnight and happy birthday.”
He repeated my words, and whatever Layla said in return made him laugh in loud, happy way he only did for Layla.
Yep, he liked her.
His mirth faded behind me as I practically ran through the house, my eagerness to see Ramón making my skin prickle. I missed him, missed his scent, missed his taste. I’d become addicted to his attention in record time, had reveled in his obsession with me. When we were together, alone, we talked about anything and everything for hours. He seemed fascinated with me, and asked me all about my opinions on the world, and he appeared genuinely interested in my thoughts on life. We discussed current events, and he was starting to ask me my opinion on different experimental ideas the Cordova Group was playing around with.
