Page 54 of Love at First Ink

“Unless you also plan on opening up a tattoo parlor within your store, I think we’re good.” Cisco chuckled, falling into an easy conversation with her father, almost as if they were picking up from the last time they spoke.

“Tía!” Camilia grinned and ran over to Marisol, throwing her arms out for a hug.

No one could be upset or stressed when Camilia came running for a hug. She crouched down to meet her niece, andsoon a chubby toddler came running up from behind his sister to join the hug. “Tía! I two!” It had been his go-to phrase since his birthday a few weeks ago.

“Are you going to go swimming with us? Mamá Lola said you weren’t, but I told her I was going to ask you anyway.”

“Your mommy is right. I need to stay back and watch all of your cool tricks,” Marisol said, hoping it would satisfy them.

Camilia contemplated this and finally nodded. “Okay. Someone needs to take pictures.” She skipped back over to her father. Fabian was on her heels, always following his big sister around. It was cute. Camilia was a great big sister, making her look like a natural. She took her brother’s hand, explaining why he needed to be careful in the pool.

She couldn’t stop her heart from lurching. That was what a big sister should be. Someone who protected their younger sibling. Something she had never done for Lola.

Her sister whispered something to Javi, who nodded. He caught Marisol’s eye and offered her an amused smile before leading the kids to the pool. Lola made a beeline for Marisol, taking her hand. “We’re getting drinks. Be right back!” she called and pulled Marisol inside. She had only a second to look back at Cisco, but he was still talking with her father. It looked friendly.

She hoped it was.

As soon as the door closed, Lola spun on her. “Who’s that?”

“I thought we were getting drinks.” Marisol walked past her sister to the wine fridge.

“You're stalling,” Lola argued.

She was. But she had good reason to stall. Her relationship was still so new with Cisco. She didn’t want to ruin anything by opening her mouth and saying something wrong.

Lola wasn’t having it. “You have a boyfriend?”

“It’s news to me too.” She shrugged, grabbing a sweet wine. “Drink?”

“No, Javi and I are trying for baby number three. Our last one.”

Marisol’s eyes widened. “What? Really?” Her sister had never mentioned wanting a third baby. Though that was not news she would have shared with her in the first place. She would have told her friends, which made Marisol oddly jealous. It was her own damn fault though.

“Yes. Now back to you. Where did you meet him?”

Marisol knew she wouldn’t be leaving this room until she satisfied her sister’s curiosity. Apart from Alice, she hadn’t told anyone about Cisco. Normal siblings talked about this shit, didn’t they? Maybe it would be good to tell Lola. Especially since she wanted Lola to share important parts of her life with her. Marisol had to be willing to do the same. At the very least, it could offer her some perspective.

With her mind made up, she poured herself a glass of wine. The first of many, she was sure. “I met him when getting my tattoo, actually.”

“Really? He was there getting one too?”

“Uh, no. He was the artist. And the owner.”

Lola’s eyes grew comically wide before she burst out in laughter. “Oh my god, Marisol. I didn’t know I was sending you on your first date when I booked the appointment.”

Marisol’s cheeks flamed. “Me either.”

“I didn’t know you were into the tattooed guys. Reminds me a bit of Javi. Should I be nervous?” Lola raised a brow.

All color drained from Marisol’s face as she adamantly shook her head. “No! Of course not. I would never—I mean, I know I did, but I wouldn’t?—”

“Geez, Mar, I’m kidding. I’m over the whole Archie thing. Does this mean Archie is out of the picture finally?”

“I wish,” she sighed, her heart rate going back to normal. “Still waiting for him to sign the papers.”

“Are you serious? That fucker is?—”

“Girls.” Both Lola and Marisol jumped at the new voice. Neither one of them heard their mother come in, but there she stood, all five feet of her. She was dressed to the nines, like she always was. Even just sitting outside was an event to her. The black and white dress she wore was surely new since Marisol had never seen it before. She paired her outfit with matching pearl earrings and a necklace.

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