“Ah, yes, that’s right.” He flashes a bright, easy-going smile I didn’t even know he was capable of till now. “Nice to meet you.”
That reminds me, I should make introductions.
Referring to Victoria as my fiancée causes a covert side-eye, but Luis doesn’t blow my cover. “Nice to meet you, Victoria. Mrs. Barron.”
“Luis, yes,” Victoria says, extending an arm to shake his hand. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s so great to finally put a face with the name.”
You’d think the three of us rehearsed, we’re so in sync with our on-the-spot subterfuge.
Unfortunately, Anna isn’t so easily fooled. She’s still looking at Luis like she’s got his number and might dial it any second.
“But that picture of you?” Her forehead crinkles, compassion flickering through her features. “Jade was wrong to take it, but you yourself said you lived on the streets. But your closest friend here, who shows up here out of the blue, can afford a Ferrari?”
My impulsivity gets me in trouble sometimes, and I’m afraid this is about to be one of them. Then I snag hold of a semi-believable reason that flits through my brain. “Uh, because it’s rented. Five hundred bucks a day, right, Luis?”
Luis hesitates, catching my eye. He nods vigorously as we both go all-in on the ruse. “Yes. We’d like you to ride around in style this week, so please take the keys and enjoy it.”
Anna doesn’t immediately take the bait, her narrowed eyes still boring into me. “I wasn’t born yesterday. I’m gonna need more information. Victoria and Simon, time to come clean.”
Victoria and I exchange nervous glances, silently asking each other where to begin.
Luis clears his throat, sticky family situations out of his comfort range. “Well, I’ll just take my leave now. It was nice to meet you.”
He gives me a look that says good luck, you’re going to need it, then beats a hasty exit.
Anna doesn’t bother watching him go, her focus lasered in on me and Victoria. “Sit down. It’s high time we have a proper discussion.”
I swallow hard. I’d rather face off against Luis in the boxing ring from back in the days when we used to spar. I can hold my own, but I hire the best, and his martial arts skills were finely honed.
As Victoria and I slide back into our seats in the booth, I’m certain I should’ve handled this differently. Should’ve prepared better for this moment. I can take it, but I know how much this meant to Victoria and, in particular, her grandma.
Fidgeting with the ring I slipped on her finger yesterday evening, Victoria spins the diamond around. It winks each time it reaches the top, sending rainbow reflections across the surface of the table.
“When it comes to Carl and Jade and how they hurt me, you heard for yourself how that unfolded.”
My lip curls at the mention of them, the bad taste they leave in my throat extra bitter. I’d do about anything to ensure she never has to deal with them or Linda ever again. To the point I have to remind myself it’s not my place.
Not yet, anyway.
But I could only be patient with the blatant disrespect for my fiancée for so long.
“Simon and I had a connection before that. And it only grew stronger when I needed someone to rely on most,” Victoria continues, and it melts the rancor taking hold.
I reach for her hand, threading my fingers through hers and offering my support.
Anna doesn’t miss the affectionate exchange, giving me a new appreciation for her interrogator tactics. After what my family’s dealt with from within, I’ll take overprotective over complacency every time.
At last, she lifts her head. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I just didn’t want to upset you. Or grandma.”
“I owe you an apology too,” I rush to admit. “It was my idea to step in as her fiancé. Because from the moment Victoria handed me a burger while I was living on the streets, forgotten and ignored by most passersby, I knew she was the one. She’s kind, beautiful, genuine, and… I love her.”
The truth of it rings through me, a notion I previously shrugged off as “too soon.”
Victoria whips her head in my direction. “Simon.”
How she hasn’t figured it out already, I have no idea.
“I mean it.” I curl her hand in mine, clinging to the lighthouse that gave me hope in even the darkest of storms. Then I look to Anna. “I’d like to ask for your blessing, Mrs. Barron.”
She rolls her lips inward, and for a second, I think she’s going to say no. “I can see how much you care about my daughter. I’ve also never seen her light up the way she does around you. I won’t stand in your way.”
Relief cools my veins, a hint of giddiness washing over me that she’s willing to say yes.
Her features soften further as she looks at her daughter and gives her a tight smile. “Victoria, I owe you an apology, too.”
Already, Victoria’s waving off the words and shaking her head. “No, Mom.”
“Let me finish,” Anna insists, and Victoria mimics zipping her lip. “You’re my daughter, and I know you’re strong. But I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you more when you were finding your way in New York.”
At the waver in her mom’s voice, Victoria’s fingers tighten around mine.
“Promise me,” Anna continues, “no matter what challenges or setbacks you face from now on, you’ll tell me. We’re family, and that’s what family does. We help each other.”
Victoria’s blond curls bob along with her head, her voice quiet but sure. “I will. I promise.”
“And Simon, I can’t imagine what that was like for you,” Anna says, turning to me. “I’m grateful you stood by Victoria when she needed you. So, I forgive you.”
Until the knot in my chest eased, I hadn’t realized how much that meant to me. “Thank you, Mrs. Barron. Don’t worry, I’ll always protect Victoria and keep her safe.”
That seems to take a load off her mind, and I take pride in reaching such a great place. Anna covers my hand with hers and gives it a pat. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
For the first time since the braggarts crashed our meal, I feel like we’ve managed to get the day back on track.
Although Anna doesn’t let me enjoy it very long. She shifts her palm to the top of my and Victoria’s clasped hands. “But make no mistake, I’m still keeping an eye on you, young man.”
Victoria flashes me a look that says similar.
Okay, that’s totally fair. But I’m holding out hope that when it comes that time, she might want to get her hands on me, too.
Victoria
The late afternoon sun casts a golden hue over the garden, stretching long shadows over the barely green grass.
In New York, it’s all yellow and dead-looking, but you’d never know it’s winter here in Texas.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.