Landon & Shay: Part Two (L&S Duet #2)(36)

The three of us were like a low-budget version of Jane the Virgin—full of love, light, laughter, and support. The Martínez women were built to survive, even if we were cursed by love. I was Jane, the girl trying to create a writing career for myself, but I didn’t have a Michael or Rafael fighting over me and my love.

Instead, I had a Sam. I doubted he was one who would go to war over me. I didn’t blame him—I wouldn’t wield a sword over him, either. We weren’t that kind of relationship. We hadn’t needed to go to war for our connection.

Before I could respond about the curse of the Martínez clan, Mom came rushing through the front door, humming loudly and spinning in circles. “I’m in love, I’m in love, and I want the whole world to know it!” she exclaimed.

Her words confused the heck out of me. My mom? In love?

What in the world…?

“See, that’s the kind of excitement you should be having about this mystery boy!” Mima exclaimed.

Not very likely.

Mom looked so happy and light, grinning ear to ear. Any minute now she’d be Tom Cruise jumping on Mima’s couch about her love affair.

“You know who made you excited?” Mima asked me.

Don’t say Landon Harrison. Don’t say Landon Harrison…

“Landon Harrison.” She beamed with a sparkle in her eyes. If there was anyone who Mima loved almost as much as she loved me, it was Landon. Since day one, she’d always been his biggest fan. But if there was anything Mima took seriously, it was her loyalty. When Landon and I went our separate ways, she cut ties with him, too, in order to show her love and support for me. When it came to choosing sides, my grandmother would always choose mine.

Still, that didn’t mean she didn’t occasionally bring up Landon, and remind me that he was a wonderful boy.

“The last time I heard you sound excited about a relationship was when you were seeing that, sweet, sweet boy. You should give him a call,” Mima offered.

“It’s been over a decade, Mima. I definitely don’t have his number,” I replied.

“That’s a shame.” She pouted. “You were so happy with him.”

I was a teenager—what did I know about true happiness?

“Speaking of happy…” I cleared my throat. “We should probably talk about Mom’s new love.” I needed the attention to move on from me to someone else, and who better than the lovesick puppy that was my mother? Maybe she was in charge of breaking the Martínez curse, not me.

“Yes. What is this love you are going on and on about?” Mima asked, making Mom a plate.

Mom plopped down in her chair, still grinning cheek to cheek. “I just rescued a puppy,” she stated.

Well, that made more sense. It definitely was puppy love.

“I’m picking it up from the Humane Society tomorrow, and oh my gosh, I just adore the pup so much. I mean look!” She pulled out her phone and passed around a picture of the most adorable dog ever.

As Mima held the phone in her hand, she shook her head. “You mean to tell me you came spinning into my apartment over a dog?”

“Not just a dog, Mama,” Mom squeaked. “The dog. Her name is Bella, and she’s just the most adorable thing in the world.”

“Oh, great,” Mima groaned, rolling her eyes. “Another vagina in the family.”

I snickered a little under my breath.

“What is wrong with you ladies? When are you going to settle down and bring a man over for dinner! I am getting sick of eating each week with you two dopeheads. And plus, I’m getting up there in age and would like a granddaughter some day!”

“What did you think I meant when I said I was in love?” Mom asked. “That I was bringing a guy around?”

“Is that so crazy?” Mima asked.

“Um, a little. There is no way a guy is more exciting than a puppy. What could a guy give me that a puppy couldn’t? Love, comfort, snuggles—”

“Orgasms,” Mima said, causing me to spit out my wine in shock.

“Mima!”

“What?! It’s true. You went out to get a puppy because you were probably getting sick of being home alone, right Camila?”

“Well, yes.”

“You know what could make you feel even less alone at home? A big, strong man. Plus, he can put his penis inside you, which is a win-win.”

Oh my gosh, my grandmother was talking about orgasms and penises inside my mother. This conversation just took a very odd turn.

“Are we really talking about orgasms at Sunday dinner?” I asked, still baffled.

Mom’s phone dinged, and she eagerly went to respond. Her cheeks turned rosy, and she turned her back away from us for a moment as she began typing back. “Sorry, it was the humane society. They said I can pick up Bella tonight if I come when I’m done here!” she exclaimed.

“See? Don’t you miss that, Shannon Sofia?” Mima asked, gesturing toward my mother. “Even though your mother is showcasing that excitement over a mutt, it’s still exciting. Something that makes your heart race faster and faster.”

“No thanks. I’m not into heart attacks.”

Mima frowned. “When did you become so unromantic? You used to live for good love stories. You still write love stories, but you’re telling me that you don’t believe in love anymore?”