He listened to his mother for a little bit longer as the reality of everything that had happened in the last few months sunk in.

The utter bitterness began its slow deluge into his heart, overwhelming his senses and his ability to breathe or swallow without the enormous ache in his throat. Maybe he and Valerie were never meant to be. Maybe he’d been right about not deserving her. Maybe, as usual, his mom had hit it right on the nose about everything happening for a reason.

Being a full-time business owner—a reluctant workaholic desperately trying to drown out the fact that he’d failed his parents so miserably—was exactly what he needed. It might just be only way he’d ever get over Valerie. He sure as hell would have neither the time nor the slightest inclination to focus on a social life now much less a girlfriend.

He fell back onto the sofa when he hung up with his mom. The continuing ache in his heart was unbearable. The brutal reality of what life had handed him came barreling down on him mercilessly. He squeezed his eyes shut again, feeling a warm tear escape the corner of his eye. Try as he might, and he sure as f**k was trying, the damn tears wouldn’t stop. Abuelito was gone.

He tried once again in vain to swallow back the suffocating emotion, but it was impossible. As much as his devastated heart was still trying to fight it, he had no choice but to accept it now.

He’d really lost Valerie—forever this time.