“So?” Pat smiled as the waitress walked away.

Her mother waited, eyeing Isabel as well, making her uncomfortable. “What?”

“You know what.” Pat said, still smiling. “What did you think? Because Charles said, Michael really liked you. I mean really liked you.”

Isabel shrugged. “He was nice.”

Her mother started in on her salad. Pat stared at her. “Isabel, he was more than nice and Charles said when he moves back—”

“I’m seeing someone now, Pat.”

Both her mom and Pat stared at her blankly. “You are? Since when?” Pat seemed disappointed. This was just like her.

“Its been a few weeks. I didn’t want to say anything until I knew how serious it was. But now I know it is.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? Charles and I went through a lot—”

“I didn’t ask you to. Besides when I agreed to this, it was before I started seeing Romero. And I didn’t even know until just recently that—”

“Romero? That’s his name?”

Isabel pressed her lips together. She wouldn’t tolerate her sister putting him down in any way. “He goes by his last name. His name is Ramon.” She took a deep breath and chewed a spoonful of salad before speaking again. “So I can’t get involved with Michael… or anyone else. Not anymore.”

“I’m glad for you, honey.” Her mother touched her hand. “When do we get to meet Romero?”

Her sister obviously didn’t share the same enthusiasm. She’d all but stopped eating. Isabel pretended not to notice her glare. “Soon. I’ll have to plan something and I’ll let you know.”

To her surprise, her sister didn’t give her the inquisition she was expecting. Isabel figured it was the shock of it. As soon as she got over it, it was coming. There was no way Pat wouldn’t demand to know everything about Romero. Isabel was ready for it. Her feelings for Romero surpassed her fear of any disapproval from her family now. They’d just have to accept him for who he was.

***

They set their chairs around the unlit bonfire. Isabel got a text from Romero as she left her apartment saying he was running late but he’d be there. Once settled, Valerie poured her a wine cooler in a cup and handed it to her. They sat down facing the fire pit.

“So how did the date go last night?”

Angel and his sister’s boyfriend, and not to mention Romero’s other best friend, Eric, were just a few feet away, throwing wood in the pit. “Not here, I’ll tell you later.”

“Oh, right.” Valerie nodded, her eyes on the guys.

“Not much to tell anyway.”

“Not much to tell about what?” Romero’s voice behind her startled her.

She and Valerie exchanged glances while Romero waited. His expression gave nothing away, so she had no way of knowing if he’d heard everything.

“Girl talk, Romero. Go help out,” Valerie said, gesturing toward Eric. “I’ve heard legendary stories of your fires.”

“All lies.” He turned to Isabel, leaning in for a kiss.

The kiss was so sweet Isabel knew he couldn’t have heard. She remembered the look on his face when he questioned her about who’d she been with the days she tried slowing things down. No way would he just let this go if he’d heard. He walked over to where the guys were and started helping with the wood.

“Oh. My. God,” Isabel said, taking a big swig of her wine.

Valerie giggled, but Isabel could see the look of remorse for having brought it up here. Isabel assured her if Romero had heard, he most definitely would have said something.

Alex arrived, and as the time passed, Isabel could see Valerie was giving in. After a walk to the ladies’ room, Valerie let her know she was going come clean with Alex about not having a boyfriend. When they got back from the restroom, Romero sat on the ice chest next to her chair and kissed her again. “I missed you last night.”

Feeling a slight pang of guilt, she smiled. “I missed you, too.”

“So where’d you and your sister go?”

Isabel glanced away from him to take a sip of her cooler, but mostly so she wouldn’t have to look him in the eye. “Blemberg’s, on the Marina.”

She glanced at him and his face soured. “I know, but it’s one of her favorites.”

“Figures.” She eyed him, lifting an eyebrow and he kissed her again, shrugging. “I’m just not into that fancy shit.”

She’d been right about Valerie. After disappearing with Alex for a long while, they came back holding hands. She sat down and leaned over to Isabel. “I’m going home with Alex.” She bit her bottom lip. “I’m doing the right thing, Isabel. I promise and I’ll explain why later. But we’re taking my car, so he can leave his with Sal. You’ll be okay going home with Romero?”

Isabel could see, not only in Valerie’s eyes but also in Alex’s earlier, something had changed. Valerie was smart. If she thought she was doing the right thing, then Isabel wouldn’t try talking her out of it. She squeezed her hand. “Yes, I’ll be fine. I’m happy for you.”

Since Valerie wouldn’t be home tonight, Isabel invited Romero back to her place. Not that Valerie would have a problem with him staying over. Isabel just felt a little weird about it still, especially since she’d been right. Romero was like no other man she’d ever been with and Valerie’s room was just across the hall.