Page 27 of Sombra
Myself, clearly. I’m not sure my panty-wetting thoughts are fit for consumption, especially not by my family. Just thinking about Tavo makes my insides gurgle—or maybe that’s from the airplane food.
How long until dinner?
“Oh, we should havepacked you better food for the plane. Well, I suppose one meal like that won’t hurt. Just be sure to walk it off tomorrow.”
“Actually, I’m really looking forward to all the Spanish food.” I don’t really know what it is, other thannot Mexican. The guidebook said it’s characterized by garlic and fish.
“I hear it’s greasy. Lots of olive oil. Don’t go overboard.”
God. I haveno response.
Thankfully, she keeps going, “And no problems finding the de la Guerra child?”
Calling Tavo a “child” makes me let out a burst of air in an involuntary chuckle. He may be a son in the family, but he’s all man. The way he immediately took charge, carrying my bags? His lick-worthy forearms? His perfectly imperfect hair? All sexy as heck.
Sexy ashell.
“Yeah,he found me right away. No problem.”
My dirty thoughts about him are the problem.
My completely off-limits, no-good, not-allowed, veto, reject, don’t-go-there thoughts. The ones that hoist a red caution flag.
No more thinking about Tavo. No more drooling. I have a boyfriend, and I agreed to wear his ring. I finger it, absentmindedly. This is just part of the adventure I wanted.I’m coloring outside the lines for a while, I’ll come back home, and everything will be just fine.
My dad sits down in front of the camera, and I wave at him. “Hi, Dad.”
“This technology is amazing,” Mom says. “When Dad and I traveled after we got married, we never called home. How much does this cost?”
“It’s free.”
“That’s incredible.”
I’m halfway across theworld, but it feels like I’m even farther. Have I changed this much in a day? I yawn. “I’m going to call Shane and then unpack. They have dinner really late here. At ten.”
“That’s strange,” my mom says. “I don’t think that’s healthy. Do they eat a lot of carbs?”
I feel the need to defend my new country. “Just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s bad.”
“Yes, but your metabolism—”
Darn my metabolism.“What are you doing today?”
“We’ve found just the place for the wedding.” I get that stomach cramp again. “I know it’s early, but I think you’ll love it. Don’t you remember playing at the creek when you were a little kid?”
“Barely—”
“I suppose you were tiny. Well, the reception hall’s got a great view of the river, and there’s a lot of photo opportunities.It will be glorious. We need to put down a deposit immediately if we want to reserve it.”
“Mom, can you hold off until I get back from Spain? I know you’re excited, but just … I didn’t say yes yet.”
Silence.
My stomach clenches more, and a sour taste invades my mouth. I hold my breath until finally she says, “Okay, pumpkin. We can wait.”
“Save that deposit for gradschool, okay? Like you promised.”
She doesn’t say anything. The silence stretches. I wait for my gut to unclench. It doesn’t.
