Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(91)

“Thank you.”

He nudged me playfully. “You’ll make a big impression on Abuela waning to go to mass.”

“Really?”

“Yep. She goes every day. Usually to a smaller church close to the house.”

A tug pulled at my heart. “She sounds just like Mama Sofia. She went every day, too. She’d give me such grief when I only made it on Sunday.” I smiled at the memory.

As if sensing my grief, AJ wrapped an arm around my waist. “Speaking your Italian heritage, I bet you’d like the Degollado Theater.” He motioned across the plaza.

“Yes, I do,” I murmured as my gaze took in the intricate details of the building that looked somewhat like a replica of the Parthenon. “Do they have operas?”

He winced. “You like opera, huh?”

I grinned. “I’m Italian. The great tenors are a part of my heritage.”

“Yeah, they do. Maybe we’ll go one night we’re here.”

My brows rose in surprise. “You in a tux?”

“Hell yeah.”

“Very tempting, Resendiz. Very, very tempting.”

He laughed. “I’ll have my Tio Diego to get us some tickets.”

“That would be very sweet of him.”

“I can’t wait to introduce you to him at the Quinceañera.”

“I look forward to it.” Deep down, my feelings betrayed the enthusiasm in my voice. Although I was used to a huge family, it was a little overwhelming meeting all of AJ’s, especially since most of them here didn’t speak English. So far, even with the language barrier, they’d all been so nice and welcoming. It made me grateful that Bella would have so many people to love her.

We strolled along the streets, taking in the sights and sounds, until AJ came to a building that looked like a giant warehouse. “What’s this place?”

“San Juan De Dios—a shopper’s paradise.”

“Ooh, yes, please.”

AJ groaned. “I knew you would want to go in there.”

“I’ll make it quick, I promise. I’m getting tired anyway.”

“Okay.” As we stepped inside, AJ said, “Actually I need to make a stop while we’re here too.” He then steered me toward a jewelry counter, which caused my throat to close up. Surely, after what I had said in the bathroom he wasn’t bringing me to look at rings. This trip was about taking it slow and getting to know each other. He must’ve noticed my stricken expression because he chuckled. “Easy girl. I’m just here to pick up a present for my goddaughter. I thought with you being a chick, you might be able to help me out.”

“Oh,” I replied, before the breath I’d been holding was exhaled in relief. As we surveyed the contents inside the glass case, I peppered AJ with questions about his goddaughter’s likes and dislikes. Surprisingly, he knew more than I thought he would, and once he told me her favorite color was purple, I picked out a bracelet and earring set.

“Damn, you have expensive taste,” AJ muttered, as he jerked his wallet out his pocket.

“Come on, your goddaughter only has a Quinceañera once.” I nudged his arm. “Besides, you’re a famous musician. You don’t want to come off as cheap, do you?”

“No,” he replied, as he took his change. After we waited for them to gift-wrap the boxes, we started making our way through the stalls of clothing and blankets. “I think I’ll get a sombrero for my dad.”

AJ snickered. “Yeah, I can see him styling that at Mama Sofia’s.”

“That’s the point,” I replied with a grin.

When I bought some other small souvenirs for Dee, Shannon, and some of my cousins, AJ insisted he pay for them. When he started to take the packages from me, I held them back. “I think I can carry a few bags in my ‘delicate condition’.”

He shook his head. “It’s not about you being pregnant. It’s a customary thing here in Mexico.” When I opened my mouth to protest, he replied, “Get your feminist panties out of a twist, Mia, and let me do something chivalrous, okay?”

“Fine,” I grumbled, before handing over the bags.

We were on our way out when AJ stopped at a barrel of jewelry. He fished something out and paid the lady. He then took my hand in his and slid a black, metal bracelet on my arm. I glanced down at it before shooting him a look. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“What? It’s a Saint’s bracelet.”

“Duh, I know what it is. I’m Catholic too, remember?”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I shrugged. “They’re kinda hokey now because Bella wears one of them in the Twilight movie.”

“I don’t give a shit what they wore in some sparkly vampire movie. They’re for protection.” AJ brought his hand to my stomach. “I pray for the saints to watch over you and Bella. If anything, wear it to humor me, okay?”

I fought to catch my breath at his words. Even though we were in a crowded market, I’d never felt more connected to AJ in my life. “Okay, I will,” I whispered.

“Ready to head back?”

I nodded in reply. As we started back to the car, I stared down at my bracelet. From time to time, I let my fingers graze over the saint’s pictures.