Cecilia and her sisters clear the table. I was physically pushed back into my seat by Cecilia when I stood up to help.
“I’ve never had more delicious food. This was incredible,” I tell her family.
“I’m glad to hear, joven. Is Cecilia not cooking for you?” her abuela asks.
“She cooks for me. I try to help, but I’m not great in the kitchen,” I explain, not wanting them to think I make her cook. “She doesn’t have to though. She’s my girlfriend, not my servant. We’re equals. I’m grateful for all she does for me, and not just in the kitchen.”
The room falls silent, and I realize I might’ve offended her family. I noticed that only the women cooked tonight. I look at Cecilia apologetically, but she’s staring at the table.
All I can hear is my heart pounding.
“I like this one, Ceci María. You should keep him. He has a good head on his shoulders,” her abuela says, and I deflate in relief.
“I intend to,” Cecilia tells her and squeezes my hand under the table.
She’s going to keep me. She doesn’t have a choice. She’s mine, and I’m hers. Forever. But it’s nice to hear she feels the same.
When I look up, Carmen is grinning across from me and winks at me. I wonder if she has the capability to read my mind. Or if it’s obvious how much I want, no, need her.
When Val comes in with dessert, my eyes almost well up. I don’t know how I have any more room in me, but I find a way. I will not turn down any food.
Once I’ve eaten enough to keep me hibernated for months, I stand up.
“Thank you so much for hosting me tonight. I should probably get to the hotel. What time would you like me over tomorrow?” I say, only for Cecilia’s grandmother to scoff at me.
“Roman, you will stay here. We will make room. We could never let you get a hotel,” Cecilia’s mom tells me.
I glance at Cecilia, and she nods.
“Alright. Thank you.”
I’m not surprised when Cecilia and I are separated for the night. I end up on the couch, while Cecilia shares a room with her niece.
As I lay there, I feel more at home than I did in the cold penthouse I lived in for a decade before Cecilia came into my life. I didn’t realize how empty my life was before her.
Now I have a sense of home in her.
Chapter 53
Cecilia
It’s been a great weekend. My family loves Roman, and he loves them too. He seems happy, and he’s always engaged in conversation. It feels natural having him here.
It’s Saturday evening, and Roman is showering. Mamá is helping Abuela take a shower. Carmen and Felipe are putting Rosa to bed. Val went home. So, it’s just me and Papá.
“Venga, mijita,” Papá leads me to the backyard.
We sit in the rocking chairs near the garden.
“¿Estás feliz con este hombre?” he asks me.
Are you happy with this man?
I don’t even have to think about it.
“Sí, Papá. Nunca he sido tan feliz,” I tell him.
Yes, Papá. I’ve never been this happy.
