Island Affair (Keys to Love #1)(25)
“I’m not any of those anymore. I mean, I won’t lie, you’re right, it hasn’t been easy. And it was really hard when Mamá Alicia died, then Mom’s diagnosis hit us all. But I work at it every day. My therapist helps. As do the tools I’ve learned. I’m okay, dad. I’m gonna stay okay.”
The vow was an affirmation to herself, as well as him.
“And Luis, he’s good for you?” Her dad gazed down at her, hope mingling with a father’s conviction. “He supports and cares for you, like you deserve?”
The question pierced her chest with a poison dart that sent guilt burning through her. Unable to look her dad in the face, she pressed her cheek against his shoulder.
“Luis is a good man,” she told him, certain it was the truth. “Right now, what we have works for me. That’s what I’m focusing on.”
Her dad was silent for a few moments. Then he pressed a kiss to the top of her head like he’d done when she was a child. Her heart warmed.
“Okay then,” he murmured. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy.”
Content in this rare father-daughter moment, Sara sincerely believed that Ric Montez showing his true colors today by standing her up had been an act of divine intervention.
In the end, she’d swapped one ruse for another but come out for the better.
With Ric, she’d been kidding herself. On paper, they may have seemed like a match. But other than their desire to do well in their careers and traveling in the same social networking circles in Miami, they had very little in common on a personal level. She would have spent the next week pretending his braggadocious manner wasn’t a drag. That the self-confidence that had appealed to her in the beginning stages of their long-distance relationship hadn’t mutated into an egotistical arrogance that often rubbed her wrong.
And yet the guy could schmooze like the best of them. The skill served him well in commercial development. No doubt he would have been at his most masterful with her parents and siblings, maneuvering conversations to his benefit while bowling them over. In truth, though, she found being around him for too long draining.
On the other hand, there was no pretending about wanting to spend time with Luis.
This afternoon, hanging out at the beach, trading serious and silly questions, laughing with each other, being herself. No watchful eyes assessing her. The kiss that hadn’t been anything more than the whisper of his lips against hers, but had still made her pulse race and her insides quiver with anticipation.
Only, taking things further with him could prove disastrous.
Luis was here as a favor. Seven days from now she’d fly back to New York, nose to the grindstone, determined to close the deal with Foster Designs. Bringing her one step closer to collaborating on a new line of clothing with her own brand. One step closer to finally making her mother, her entire family, proud of her accomplishments. Gaining their confidence that she could indeed take care of herself.
When this was all over, at best she and Luis might wind up as friends who stay in touch. Maybe reconnect should their paths cross. She hoped so anyway. But allowing herself to fall for her own charade would be foolish.
“I guess we should head inside before they come searching for us.” Her father pushed off the railing, and Sara dropped her arms from around him.
She turned to take a last look out at the front yard, teeming with rich foliage and vibrant color. Rising onto her toes, she lifted her face to the sky and soaked up the sun’s rays as they warmed her skin.
If you’re happy, then I’m happy.
Her dad’s words rang in her head. Words she hadn’t heard often growing up. Especially from her mother. The fight against cancer and her mom’s recent good news had shifted the dynamics of their relationships. Sara hadn’t quite figured out exactly how yet, but if they were fortunate enough, this week could help them reach a new place with each other.
“You coming, Sar-bear?”
She swiveled on her heel to find her dad holding the brightly painted door open for her. The warmth on his face reminded her of Luis. The gentle giant of a man who, so far, was setting the bar pretty high for when Sara decided to get back in the dating game.
First, she had to concentrate on doing her best to make it through the next seven days without blowing their cover. All while not falling for the lie she had fabricated.
Easier said than done when right now inside, Luis was probably winning over her family with his unique mix of calm, easygoing assurance. The same way he’d done with her.
As Sara slipped through the door, she made a quick sign of the cross, ending with a kiss of her fingertips and a roll of her eyes to Mamá Alicia in heaven. She had a feeling she’d need all the assistance, divine and otherwise, she could get this week.
Chapter 7
“I don’t mind dropping everyone off at Mallory Square, then hoofing it back to catch up with you if we can’t find parking,” Luis offered after Sara’s family had decided to catch sunset on the pier along with dinner and music at El Meson de Pepe. Two activities that topped many tourist Must Do lists while visiting his island.
“Nonsense, after that long plane ride, it’ll be nice to stretch our legs,” Ruth answered. “A body can only take so much lounging, even in paradise.”
She waved an arm Vanna White–style to indicate the backyard oasis.