A Slow Burning Candle *Main story completed, additional scenes to be added*

Chapter 10: Casita

"You know, I really appreciate all your help." Carlos held up the lantern so Luz could get the keys to the escuela out from her pocket.

"It's no trouble, really."

He nodded, "Oh? I hear you're taking a risk just being seen out with me."

She laughed, "Yes, our dinners are a seduction tactic because apparently you are some kind of playboy?"

"I used to be," He shrugged, "But I haven't been serious about anyone since just after school, and that's been awhile."

"Small villages have long memories," She finally found the right key, "They don't seem to understand that we could just be friends."

"You know married people, they have nothing left to do but marry off everyone else." He drew in breath through gritted teeth, "Also, thanks for keeping my mother off my back."

"I'm surprised she's on you about getting married, don't you have older brothers?"

"Oh she's on all of us about it, she's a multi-tasker, mi madre." Carlos had a friendly quiet laugh, "I just can't believe that you'd actually be fired for dating, it seems so... outdated?"

Luz bit her lower lip, "It's an old rule, and they warned us that a lot of the villages would still have those kinds of rules in place, but – "

"Does it apply to male teachers too?"

She smacked his shoulder, "What do you think?"

"That kind of rule." Nodding, Carlos rolled his eyes, "So if I do meet any other teachers when I'm at the university that I fall madly in love with, I might as well just give up?"

"Most the of profesoras are monjas, it's cute that you think they would let you even get near the female students."

"I see." He watched as she opened the door, "Are you sure I'm not getting you in trouble?"

Luz took a deep breath and sighed, "We've done nothing but have dinner, and in public, and we're never alone together." Her eyes shifted back and forth, "And I'm pretty sure that Julieta and Pepa believe me, and they have Alma's ear?"

"Even so?"

"I don't think so?" Her expression was one of hopefulness.

He wasn't sure if she was really that confidant, but he didn't press any further – on that matter, "So, what are you going to do? About him?"

She pursed her lips, twisting them to the one side, "I don't know. I don't want to lose my job, and it's just a crush, right?"

Carlos remembered their conversation over dinner, "Let me give you a piece of advice, as the resident playboy of the village." He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she smiled, shaking her head at him.

"You can learn a lot about a person without dating them," He gestured from her to himself, "Look at us, we're just having dinners and you're already helping me with my career and I'm giving you relationship advice."

"Ah, so I'll stop having dinner with you and start having dinners with him then?"

"No, I still need your help, they haven't admitted me yet! What I'm saying is - go back to book club."

"I don't know, what if –" She paused, "What if we do end up liking each other and then I can't teach anymore?"

Rolling his eyes, he put his hand against the wall, droll words dripping off his tongue, "You mean because you found your esposo? What a horrible thing to have happen."