Page 51 of Love Off Course

I’m pathetic.

If Momma were here, though, she’d laugh and tell me I’m over the top. Not in a bad way. In a good way. The kind of girl who loves too much, too hard, too intensely. It’s not a bad thing when all that love is being directed your way. Right? Daddy adores me and never once acted like I was a nuisance.

I realize I’m crying. I don’t try to hide it as the song leads into “Tiny Dancer.” I just cry quietly, missing both my parents. I cry for the way I treat people. It makes me want to try harder. And ultimately, I cry for Camilo.

He’s just so…something.

Something I was given a tiny taste of but don’t think I’ll ever have a chance to fully indulge.

Chapter 16

Camilo

Last night, albeit in my own comfortable bed, I slept like shit. Everything Carson said to me kept bugging me. If Sheridan was some girl I wanted to fuck and move on from, like every other girl in my life, this would be easy.

It’s not easy.

It’s maddening.

I can’t stop thinking about her. Now, just next door to my villa. When we came back from the airstrip,Mamáinformed me Estefania and Sheridan had been moved. I wanted to visit Sheridan to talk—about what, I haven’t figured out yet—but the lights were out.

There’s always today.

In fact, all we have is today.

Carson got confirmation we’re back on schedule tomorrow now that the electricity has come back on. Rodrigo was all bark and little bite, thank God. I’ve seen hurricanes that have stripped the coast bare. We’re lucky we came out unscathed since this one was a direct hit.

“Where are you going looking like a snack?” Carson asks from the couch, the remote flipping through the channels until he settles on a dramatic telenovela.

“A snack? Who even talks like that?”

“A grumpy snack. Maybe you need a Snickers. Unless that’s against some snack code. Like cannibalism, but for snacks. Snackibalism.”

“Shut up,” I say with a groan, unable to stifle my laugh. “I’m going to see her.”

He sits up, his brows high. “Grand gesture?”

“Only way to win the girl.”

“So you’re winning her? Forever?”

“I only need one day.”

“Spoken like a true romantic.” He grins and waves me off. “Go on. Get the girl and if you know what’s good for you, keep her.”

I leave him to his Mexican drama and step outside. The sun is trying to come out today, chasing away the last of the rain. Hotel Zaragoza took a beating, butMamáalready has her staff working. Someone hammers nearby, echoing loudly. Soon, this place will be as good as new. At least I hope.Mamáloves this place nearly as much as she loves me. I’d hate to see her lose it altogether.

The walk next door is short and muddy. My tennis shoes are already ruined. They’ll get worse before the day’s over. I was smart enough to wear my board shorts and an old red T-shirt. Mud is inevitable today.

I reach the villa door and knock. Feminine voices can be heard before the curtain moves at the window by the door. Then, I hear hissing as they talk. While they’re trying to decide if they should let me in, I roll my eyes and walk inside.

“Camilo!” Sheridan barks out. “You can’t just come inside without being invited!”

“I’m not a vampire and my family owns this hotel. I do what I want.”

Well, shit.

Not exactly how I planned to woo the girl.

---