Page 18 of Never Again
Carmen sighed. “Look, we were both overwhelmed by our feelings, and we both made mistakes back then. The good news is, Carlos still loves me, and my feelings for him haven’t changed, either. That’s the best part—that we both feel the same and we get to be together after all.”
“But you’re not really going to be together. You’ll be in Canada, and he’ll be here.”
“We’re going to see each other as often as we can. The distance won’t keep us from developing a relationship. Think about it, you live here and you’re still my friend. Why can’t he and I have a long distance relationship, too?”
Natalie pursed her lips. “You know that’s different.”
“Maybe, but I can’t stop now. I can’t give up on him or us. Nat, I feel like a new woman. I feelalive.” She grinned broadly to convey the message to her friend, but Natalie’s brow remained wrinkled in concern.
“You’re my closest friend, and I want nothing but the best for you. Promise me you’ll be careful and take your time.”
Carmen shook her head. “Too late for that. I’m all in with both feet, up to my nose and drowning in Carlos.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “Man, you’re such a hopeless romantic.”
“Sorry I’m not more practical, like you.”
“I wish you were. But can I say one more thing?”
“Do you have to?” Carmen asked with a rigid smile.
“Hear me out. It’s been three years since the two of you were a couple. You don’t really know who Carlos is now, the kind of man he’s become. Once you get to know him, you might be disappointed. I suggest that you manage your expectations.”
“Fine, I will,” Carmen said with a negligent shrug. “Anything else?”
“What are you going to do about your father? And can you trust Franklin?”
Carmen had thought about that and had already sworn her driver to secrecy. “Franklin won’t say a word to my father. As for my father, I’ll figure out how to deal with him because eventually, I’ll have to tell him Carlos and I are back together.”
“How do you think he’ll react?”
“I’m afraid he won’t approve this time, either,” she admitted.
“He threatened to cut you off before.”
“I know, but he won’t do that this time. I’m certain of it.”
“What makes you so sure that he won’t?”
“Because the person I was three years ago didn’t have much interest in the family business. The current me helps expand the company and is learning all she can to eventually take over. If I can be indispensable to Fit Body Gyms, my father is less likely to throw around ultimatums.”
“What if he does, though? What will you do?”
“Then I’ll walk away like I did the first time.” She’d told her father she was leaving with Carlos, but Carlos had sent her back home—embarrassed and broken-hearted.
“You can walk away? Just like that?” Natalie stared at her in disbelief.
“It would definitely be harder this time, but I’d do it, Nat. I’d do anything not to live without him again.”
Natalie’s eyebrows lifted toward the ceiling, and then she angled her head to the right, studying Carmen’s face. “Are you sure this isn’t just some good dick that has you acting so crazy?”
Carmen let out a hearty laugh. “No. I mean, the dick is good, but it’s not the reason for my behavior. It’s love, okay? One day you’ll experience it and then you’ll understand.”
“There’s not a man alive who can have me as sprung as you are over Carlos, and if there was, I’d pray for deliverance.” Natalie made the sign of the cross.
“You’re nuts. Help me take out my bags for when he gets here?”
“Sure.”
