Page 55 of Outspoken

Amber gives a quick wave.

Rico faces Maribel and slowly crunches a chip between his teeth. “Damn. Ah, so good.”

Without flinching, Maribel responds, “I’m dumping your barbacoa.” Then she disappears.

Rico gasps and rushes back to the kitchen.

I sigh. “That’s what I have to put up with.”

Amber bites her bottom lip and gives me a smile that really does make me want to confess everything I’m feeling right here in Maribel’s living room.Damn you, Rico.

“I can tell you’re related,” Amber says.

I glance at her relaxed posture, then at her tempting mouth and how her tongue darts out to wet her lips. Something about her is different today—soft and inviting. It’s like she’s finally being real with me. No back-and-forth. No walls. Is she opening up?

I swallow.Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron Saint of my Mexican people, please help me.

I resist a very strong urge to step forward and rest my hands on Amber's waist.Don’t push.Instead, I shove my hands in my pockets and shrug, forcing myself to frown and look bored. “Yeah? Why’s that? Ricodefinitelydidn’t get my good looks.”

“Your family seems like a lot of fun. They're very upbeat, like you, and they tease lovingly. Do you have a close family?”

“Too close sometimes.” I nod at the sliding glass door to the backyard. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to some. It’s best to take them in chunks because there are way too many names to remember. I even forget sometimes.”

She gives me another heartwarming smile, even touching my arm. I quickly look away.Keep it casual. Absolutely no confessions of love!

I show her where to set her purse, and then introduce her to Johnny on the way outside. We grab sodas before finding a spot at one of the five tables Maribel has set up.

The mid-sized, grassy backyard is packed with about twenty-five of my family members, including my cousins and their families, my tía Lupita, Maribel’s three kids, my oldest brother Bob and his family, and Angel off by himself. Sadly, Mom isn’t here because she wasn’t feeling well enough. She hasn’t made it to a family gathering in almost a year.

After we sit at an empty folding table, I point at people, saying their names. I go over the most important names to remember first, and Amber repeats each one.

Bob comes over, dressed completely wrong for a birthday party, and sits in the chair next to Amber. My brother is never in normal clothes, preferring slacks, shiny black wingtips, and a long-sleeve button up, even when asked to dress casually. I’m glad he at least skipped the tie today.

He has a strong resemblance to me, only with more wrinkles and straighter hair. He's slim and fit, but not as toned as I am since he's not into working out. Businessmen don't need to I guess.

He shakes Amber's hand with a goofy grin, and the first words out of his mouth are, “So, you’re the infamous Amber.”

I lean back, out of Amber’s view, and widen my eyes at him, thrashing my head side to side.I warned you about this!

He clears his throat. “Excuse me, you said Amber? My mistake. I was thinking of someone else.”

“Nice to meet you,” she says. “I’m guessing Miguel shows up with a lot of random women at family parties, huh?” She half-smiles at me and pokes my side.

I melt.I love when you tease me, mi amor.

She turns back to Bob. “You can be honest.”

He glances my way and I nod, still leaning back behind Amber’s head.

“Absolutely,” he says. “But you seem special, like someone he’d have a hard time forgetting. How did you two meet?”

I glare.Dammit, Bob.

“Oh, you’re sweet,” she responds. “Um, Miguel works with my brother, so we met through him. Actually—” She puts her hand on my knee under the table. “Miguel is a really amazing family friend and has helped us through some tough times. Brody is lucky to have him. I also, um…” She glances at me and falls silent, squeezing my knee.

An endearing glint flashes across her gaze and my heart flutters.

I might pass out, actually. I wasn’t prepared for this. It feels like she wants to say she’s lucky to have me, but I’m imagining that, right?

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