Lucia
Mia and I have such a great time outside it’s hard to get her back in the house.
We mostly stayed out by the lake then ran around in the woods.
The time to go inside and clean up came quickly, and even after that she clung to me, not wanting to sit in her chair at the dinner table.
We’re here now, and my nerves are a mess because I know Alejandro will be home soon. I don’t know what his expectations are for dinner etiquette, but I don’t think he’s going to like his niece sitting in my lap.
Estelle has already tried five times to get her in her chair, but Mia screamed the place down wanting to return to my lap.
“It’s okay. I can hold her,” I assure Estelle.
“She makes a mess of her vegetables because she hates them.”
“Don’t worry, I can get her to eat them,” I say with a confidence that seems to throw her.
She gives me a narrowed look but heads back to the kitchen to help the maids bring out the food.
Minutes later, the table is covered with a delicious exotic-looking spread.
They’ve made chicken sliced up in strips covered in a yellowy sauce that smells like coconut and tarragon. Fragrant rice and black beans are in another bowl, and a host of grilled and roasted vegetables lie in a platter looking divine.
As soon as the drinks are set on the table, the doors to my left open and my gaze lands on Alejandro. His gaze locks on me, too, and all I can think of is what he did to me yesterday.
My brain turns to mush as my thoughts scramble like eggs being tossed around in a pan under the heated flames that will eventually cook them.
When that stifling heat I felt in his office also returns tenfold, I know my chances of pretending this man doesn’t affect me are non-existent.
I was never going to be able to do anything of the sort when just looking at him makes me think of hot, sinful things that would keep me coming back for more and more even if it was bad for me.
Warmth spreads over my cheeks and flushes over my body. I know my cheeks at least have to be red, but I’m also sure he knew the effect he had on me before I did.
Get it together, girl.Get it together.
I do quickly when Estelle comes back out of the kitchen and cuts me a filthy look for my obvious gawking. It’s clear she’s back to being the ice queen and all my hard work throughout the day has been unraveled in a matter of second.
“Wonderful, everyone is here,” Alejandro states.
At the sound of his voice, Mia snaps her head around and jumps off my lap when she sees him.
She runs to him like her little life depends on it, and when she reaches him, he lifts her into a warm embrace. The smile that fills his face is to die for.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so happy to see a child. The happiness on his face is more akin to an adoring father, and I find myself in awe just watching him.
He’s her uncle, but looking at them reminds me of how my father is with me.
I remember being little and running into his arms just like that and feeling like everything would be okay if I had him.
I love both my parents to no end, but my father is my someone special who makes my life worth living. When I was hooked on drugs and saw the lengths he went to, to get me clean, I tried harder to get better for him than I tried for myself.
Mia’s little giggle brings my focus back. Alejandro makes his way to the table, and I feel strangely at ease when he takes his seat at the head and sets Mia on his lap instead of putting her in her chair.
It’s cute to see them together like that. He’s so big, and she’s so tiny she could be a speck on his shirt.
“She likes eating with me when I’m around, so I humor her,” he says to me. “Hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” I answer, trying to steady my nerves. “I’m sure she’ll enjoy eating with you more than me.”