Page 35 of Mutual Discord

“I’m well, Papí.” I returned his kiss and then ran my thumb through the lipstick mark I left on his weathered face. “Just a little tired from walking around in the heat.”

He snorted. “It’s not even that hot.”

I splayed a palm. “It’s not my fault I have thin blood.”

Papí chuckled, but his dark eyes were serious as he considered me. My father was a few inches taller than my own five foot five inches, and I always thought that made it easier for him to hold my gaze and read all my secrets.

“I thought you would be happier seeing as how Caitlin is here to visit,” he murmured softly.

“I am happy,” I said, frowning.

“Is it because of that young man she’s seeing?” Papí cocked his head to the side. “I know you don’t get to see her very often, so I’m sure it’s a bit annoying to have to share her attention.”

“No, Alex is great.”

My father pursed his lips. “Is that right?”

This conversation was beginning to make me nervous. While my mother could be direct and sometimes confrontational, my father was much more evenhanded. But that certainly didn’t mean he wasn’t observant…and mischievous as hell. I learned long ago not only to be mindful of what I said around him, but also to mind my facial expressions unless I wanted him in my business.

“He’s a nice guy,” I replied, aiming for casual. “I think you’ll like him. He’s Puerto Rican, you know.”

His gray brows rose. “No lo sabía.”

“Well, he is.” I shrugged. “But he hasn’t had much connection to the culture, so I hope he’ll enjoy dinner.”

Papí snorted. “How could he not? Your mother’s cooking is delicious.”

It really was, and when I had been in school, friends used to routinely invite themselves to dinner to partake of whatever culinary masterpiece Carmen Mendoza had created.

“How long has Caitlin been with this boy?” Papí asked, snagging a slice of avocado and taking a bite.

The back of my neck went hot even while I focused my attention on cutting into another avocado. “Several months, I think.”

My father hummed in the back of his throat. “But he lives in Phoenix?”

I nodded. “He works for the Scorpions.”

“Oh, maybe he can get us tickets,” he said, waggling his brows.

“You’re terrible,” I huffed, placing the plate of avocado on my other side so he couldn’t steal any more slices.

A bell pinged, and my father pointed a finger at the front door. “Sounds like they’re here. Do you want to answer the door, or should I?”

“I will,” I said quickly, setting down the knife and wiping my hands on the napkin. “Can you let Mamí know they’ve arrived?”

“Sure.” Papí grabbed another avocado slice as he walked past and popped it into his mouth, smiling at me with his cheeks full.

I shook my head as I watched him walk away and then turned toward the front door. Smoothing my palms down my linen shorts, I set my jaw. Alex was just a friend coming to dinner, like my many friends before him. My parents were charming, welcoming hosts, and he would have a great time. Just as all my friends before him had. No big deal.

But all my reassurances didn’t ease the sour lump in my throat.

When I opened the door, I tried my best to focus on Caitlin…although Alex’s tall, broad presence lingered behind her. She’d changed from the red Chanel dress she’d worn to the humanities event earlier in the day to a pair of designer cropped jeans and a cropped T-shirt that showed off her tanned, flat midsection. With her blond waves pulled back into a loose ponytail, she looked effortlessly put together. Caitlin Wolf chic.

“Oh my God, Sof, your mother’s bougainvillea is a beast. I remember when she planted it, and now it’s taken over the whole courtyard wall,” she exclaimed, gesturing behind her to the magenta-colored floral expanse.

Smiling, I held the door open and stepped back so she could enter. “Isn’t it beautiful? We routinely use it for family photos. Javi and Olivia took their engagement pictures in front of it.”

Her blue eyes went wide. “That’s a great idea. Do you think your parents would mind if I snapped a few selfies there?”