Page 77 of Wishing for La Luna
“Waking up to this view must be amazing,” I whisper.
“It is,” she says. “Go settle on the terrace. I’ll get you some coffee.”
“Tía, come sit.”
“Después del café.”
Rio takes my hand, and we go to the terrace where we settle into rocking chairs. Tito and Sel go with his aunt.
“She wants to know who I am.”
A smile spreads across his face. “She said it.Tu eres mía.”
You’re mine.
My pulse quickens, and I force myself to tame it. “She saidde lo mio. Not specifically to you.”
“Tell yourself that.” Then he chuckles. “She liked you. If she hadn’t, I would have gotten a look. She has been very protective of me sinceMamidied.Tíamoved down here when she got sick to help me care for her. After, she couldn’t go back to New York. She kept my mom’s house. It’s on the other side of this one. We can walk there later so you can see the entire property.”
“Why doesn’t she stay here?” I ask without thinking then almost kick myself. He brings girls here. “Privacy.”
He shrugs. “Yeah. I need my space to write and make music. I like having people over and partying here, but once it’s over, I need to recharge.”
“And women,” I say, because we are not children, and he’s being super coy.
“Not as many as you think. It’s a new build.”
“How many am I thinking?” I don’t know why I’m asking these questions.
He’s serious and pinning me with his gaze. “One.”
Probably his ex, Perla.
I’m saved from saying anything by his aunt's return. They start catching up and talking about family and the property.
I excuse myself to go to the bathroom and grab a moist wipe to freshen up. When I come out, he’s waiting for me in the middle of the living room.
“Let me show you around.”
He shows me the rest of the first floor. In addition to the rooms, there’s also a bedroom. “Tito’s room.”
As if on cue, Sel’s laughter carries out.
We chuckle and move along. He walks me up the stairs, and it’s just as breathtaking as the downstairs area with three rooms, including a studio and an office. Then, he opens the door to a bedroom toward the front of the house.
My breath catches. It’s an indoor-outdoor room where the panoramic glass doors have no frames and fold open to create a seamless transition. It’s warm, but there’s a great breeze. The massive bed, with its two nightstands, faces the water. There’s a couch and a sitting table along the far wall.
“Wow. This is so amazing.”
“Thank you.” It’s so cute how bashful he is, or maybe it’s more. He seems nervous, his jaw tight, his shoulders tense.Is it regret for us coming here?It’s kind of soon.
We go stand by the railing, looking out, and for the first time, I reach out, my arm on his back. “Why do you look so uncomfortable? If this is too soon, we can go.”
He brings his arms around my shoulders. “Coming back?—
“Rio, can you come down?” Tito calls out.
He sighs but presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “I’ll be right back. I’ll explain. Lay out or look around.”
