Page 58 of Yours, Forever

"Love and promises are not always all there is." My dad set his eyes on me. "Like for me and Andrea, his mom."

His words punched me in the gut. My diaphragm seized, making it hard to breathe. He had always said he'd loved my mother.

"We're not you and Mom," I finally said.

"Did you have this dress in your little closet? Protected from moths and the salt in the air?"

A dig to her background and how different we are.

"Basta. No más." I shook my head. "I came here to enjoy the evening with my wife. Not to play a game with you."

Eva and I made to leave, but my dad got the last word.

"I'm watching you, Maximiliano. You better plan your moves carefully."

We didn't say anything else and, hands still tight together, we strode back into the party and far away from my father.

"Are you okay?" Eva asked.

We took refuge in a corner of the hall.

I shrugged. "I'm fine. I've known he's an asshole for years. Tonight wasn't any different."

"Was the last thing he said a threat? Unbelievable."

"We knew he was keeping track of us. This is just confirmation."

She nodded. I took a deep breath, our eyes locked. Worry wrinkled her brow.

"I'm going to shake it off, darling. Thank you for your support there."

I kissed her temple. The impulse had called for a brief taste of her lips, but I suppressed it. Her support and loyalty weren't foolproof signs that she would have wanted me to kiss her. Just because she glowed, wore my rings, had attended this party with me, had stood by me and smiled, and spoke up for us in front of my father…

…unless…

Javier put a hand on my shoulder. "How did it go? I didn't expect to see Carlos here."

He appeared by our side, followed by Gabe and Lina.

"Fine." I pursed my lips. "As good as it could go, I suppose. He threw a few threats, a few veiled insults. Nothing new."

"Nothing we couldn't take," Eva said. "Nothing with enough power to matter."

"Thank you." I smiled her way.

"You'll go back to Laguna Island. You'll be far from him." Gabe held Lina's hand. "We'll see you there, and we'll have a great time."

"Let's have a great time tonight, too." I copied my friend and took Eva's hand. "Or I’ll never convince her to come back with me for an event like this."

"Let's do this," Lina said. "We'll turn the night around. That way, you won't dread having us in your hometown in a couple of weeks."

"I'm sure I won't." Eva grinned. "I have yet to regret anything."

"Wonderful news," I said, and followed them all into the crowd.

Chapter 18

Eva