Page 55 of Hate That Blooms
She gives me a skeptical look but doesn’t press. Instead, she steps aside to let us in. “Mireya’s already running around somewhere with some of my cousin’s kids,” she says, gesturing toward the living room. “But… Gabby’s in the kitchen, trying to make some last-minute appetizers.”
I freeze at the mention of her.Gabriela.
My heart picks up.
Thiago nudges me again, more playfully this time. “Go on. She’s waiting.”
I swallow hard, trying to keep myself together. This isn’t just another night. This is the moment I’ve been preparing for—trying to make up for everything I’ve done wrong. Trying to show her I can be who she needs me to be.
I step into the kitchen, and there she is. Bent over the counter, carefully arranging a platter of sliced fruit. Her dark hair falls in waves around her face, and when she turns, it’s like time stops for a second. Her eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, everything feels... right again.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moves.
Gabriela sets the platter down and takes a slow breath. She looks beautiful, even more so than I remember, and that goddamn ache in my chest won’t go away. Her expression softens as she meets my gaze.
“Hi,” I say, the word coming out a little hoarse.Nice, get it together, Joaquín.
“Hi.” She smiles, though it’s tentative, like she’s still unsure of where we stand. She wipes her hands on the dish towel and stands straighter, though she doesn’t move closer. The distance between us feels like a mountain.
I take a small step forward, wanting to close that gap.
“Thank you for letting me come tonight,” I say quietly, hoping she can hear the sincerity in my voice. “I... I’ve missed you. I miss this. You didn’t have to. I know Cora would have been more than happy to tell me to fuck off.”
Gabby tilts her head, and there’s a flicker of something in her eyes—reluctance, maybe? Or maybe hope? “Mireya asks about you,” she says softly, not exactly meeting my eyes. “I think about you.” I can hear the straining in her voice.
Fuck, I don’t want her to cry.
Her lips press together, and for a moment, I’m sure she’s going to tell me to leave. To go away and not come back. But instead, she just looks at me.
“I’m trying,” I add quickly. “I’m not perfect, and I know I’ve hurt you. But I’m trying, baby. I’m really fucking trying.”
She doesn’t respond right away. Instead, she crosses her arms, looking at me with a gaze that’s both soft and guarded.
“You’re trying, huh?” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “What does that even mean, Joaquín? Because you’ve said that before, but actions speak louder than words. I’m just... I’m not sure ifyouknow whattryingreally looks like.”
I flinch at her words, but I don’t let them stop me. I can’t. “I know. I haven’t shown you enough. I know that. But it’s not just about saying it. It’s about changing, proving I can be the man you need. I’ll prove it, Gabby. I’ll prove I’m worth your trust again.”
She takes a step back, clearly torn, but also unwilling to let me off the hook that easily. “I want to believe that. I do. But I can’t keep going in circles with you, Joaquín.”
Her words sting, but they also light a fire in me. I haveonechance, and I’m not going to waste it.
“Let me show you,” I say, my voice firm and steady. “Just... don’t give up on me. Not yet.”
For a long, quiet moment, she just watches me, her eyes studying mine like she’s looking for any sign of deception. But then her gaze softens. She looks... tired. Worn down.
“Okay,” she says finally, her voice almost too quiet to hear. “But I can’t promise anything, Joaquín. I’m not going to put my heart out there again unless you prove it to me.”
I nod, relief flooding through me, but I don’t speak. I just take a step closer, giving her the space to make the next move.
And then she does something I wasn’t expecting. She reaches out, gently brushing her fingers against my arm. A simple touch, but it feels like the first step toward something new. Something better.
“We’ll see where this goes,” she whispers.
I swallow hard, fighting back the urge to pull her into my arms right then and there. But I know this is bigger than just a moment.
I’ve got time to prove myself now.
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