Page 58 of Love at First Ink

“Thanks, Daddy. But I think it’s best if we go.” Marisol reached for Cisco’s hand, intertwining their fingers together. “I’m sorry we had to cut things short.”

Travis cast a disappointed look toward his wife, shaking his head. Luciana sighed. “Really, Marisol. Don’t be upset. You know I love you, and I’m just trying to understand the dynamic between you and the…young man you brought home with you.”

“Mom, you need to say sorry and move on,” Lola came toher defense. “I thought you said you were working on this in therapy.”

“We were,” she assured. “But like I said, I wasn’t seeing a difference. Anyway, we would love for you to stay. We don’t see much of you these days.” Luciana pouted, and Cisco had to try very hard not to roll his eyes at her obvious attempt to guilt-trip her daughter.

Luckily, Marisol saw through her mother’s antics. She probably knew them better than anyone. “I would rather go home. I have to take care of Snowball?—"

“Who is Snowball?” Luciana interrupted.

“My cat.”

“You have a cat?”

Clearly, she hadn’t been paying any attention to her daughter when she spoke about Snowball and volunteering. Marisol ignored her and looked over at her sister. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

Lola nodded, offering her a timid smile. “Okay. Marisol?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m proud of you.”

Marisol stiffened, and her eyes glazed over. Cisco wondered if she had ever heard those words before. Judging by her reaction, he didn’t think so. He made a mental note to tell her that more.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Before they left, Marisol went around to hug her niece and nephew and her father. She hated that Camilia and Fabian had to witness the earlier drama, but hopefully it didn’t scar them too badly. Travis got up to walk them to the door.

From the doorway, Cisco started his car, and Marisol headed out. Before he got too far, a hand clamped downaround his shoulder. He tilted his head back to see Travis watching his daughter walk away.

“Do you care about my daughter, son?” he asked, not looking at him. His attention stayed on his daughter.

Cisco did. A lot. Maybe he even loved her, but he couldn’t tell her father that before he told Marisol. “I do. She means a lot to me,” he said instead.

Travis nodded. “You seem like a good man. Just please…” He broke off in a sigh. “Don’t hurt her. And let her know she can be herself, not what her mother wants her to be, and I will still love her just the same.”

“That seems like something you should tell her,” Cisco said. “It would mean more coming from you than me.”

“I know…and I have. But I think she needs someone else to love her as she is and not what her mother wants her to be.” Travis tore his gaze away from Marisol and took in Cisco. “She’s happy with you. I can tell.”

“I’m happy with her.” Those words weren’t adequate enough for how he felt, but they’d have to do for now.

“Good. Keep making her happy.” That was the last thing Travis said to him before dropping his hand from his shoulder. Without another word, Cisco went to join Marisol in the car.

CHAPTER 25

Cisco

For the next few days, Cisco stayed with Marisol. After their less-than-stellar dinner with her family, he felt as if he understood Marisol better and the reasons why she was who she was. It didn’t make him feel any less for her. If anything, his affection for her only grew until he could no longer deny he loved her.

He loved Marisol.

It was an all-consuming feeling he felt deep within his bones. It was also different from anything he had ever experienced. The need to have her right next to him and protect her was strong. Yet he couldn’t find the words to tell her yet, only because she was still dealing with the fallout from their dinner.

She needed time to process, and he’d give her that. However long she needed.

“I have another therapy appointment this morning,” Marisol said during breakfast. Cisco wasn’t much of a cook, but he could make a simple omelet. She had opted for only veggies, while he filled his with bacon.

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