Nina Valentine swore she would never fall in love again, and she meant every word. She lived her life with much gusto and little emotions that allowed her to become attached to other people. She was successful and ran her family's business. Life was...
My stomach is turning and I don't know if it's from all the bad choices I made yesterday or if it's because I'm finally going to my childhood home for the first time in six years.
I sigh while looking out the window. Marisol and Flor have been quiet since I've gotten the phone call, they've decided to give me some time to digest everything.
We pull into the road that leads home and I see all the grapes ready to be harvested and smile they remind me of Him. I'd like to believe I'm over it But I know I'm lying to myself .I think about him when I ride horses , and when I drink red wine. on nights when my mind seems to wander I think of his warm grey eyes and how they'd look at me.
I snap out of my thoughts when Marisol hops out of the car and screams "Mama!" Flor gets out next and hugs my mother. I take about 30 seconds to clear my thoughts of him and fix my dress as I step out the car.
I smile sadly at my mom and she comes to embrace me. "ya mija , I'm so happy to see you back home" I just snort "It's great to be back, where is -" I'm cut off when I'm lifted in the air and spun around. I laugh "Papa! Ya estas viejito para que me levantes" He rolls his eyes at me "I'm not that old, I'm still a stallion in the sheets" I choke on my spit while my sister sticks her finger and her mouth and pretends to gag whil Flor just cracks up.
My mom goes to my dads side and lightly pats his cheek. "Mi amor stop scarring the girls" she teases. "let's go inside and greet your grandmother" I go back to the car to thank Luis. And get my bags. He's been my driver since I was a niñita. I let him know that I'll be okay with my stay here to go enjoy some time with his wife , that I can drive myself places. "Senorita, I can't let you be unaccompanied-" "Luis your wife is waiting for you , I booked you a trip to Espania , go relax" he shakes his head , kisses my cheek and tells me to stay safe.
I take a deep breathe and prepare myself to see my grandmother I'll. What I didn't prepare myself to see was my grandmother looking youthful and VERY well with a martini in her hand laughing at something my papa said to her.
I lift my eyebrow and clear my throat. "So your 'on your deathbed' abuela?" She turns around and smiles at me "Mija it was just a little cold I told your mother not to fuss over Me" I see my mother sending her a look of confusion and bafflement. I make my way to her and hug her tightly, taking her Martini and downing it. " Well I'm here I hope your happy." I say with a little petulance.
She ignores me and tells me I look great but a little to thin and that she's made a feast for my return. I gulp because abuela is definitely up to something.
"I'm going to go rest a little and freshen up before dinner. I make my way upstairs but don't go to my old room. Instead I decide to take the room that adjoins it. My sister doesn't mind seeing that the villa is big ,she understands my hesitation to stay in there. I unpack and let myself think about him again.
I wonder if his grey eyes are the same with hints of blue and if his blonde hair is still shoulder length. I chastise myself. No Nina don't think of him. He left . He's dated other women and has probably forgotten about you.
I change into a black causal dress and
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Head downstairs. It smells great abuela out did herself , she made carne asada, tamales de elote, panes de pollo, and some many more dishes. My mouth starts to water.
Sol & flor come downstairs in a tee shirt dress and a romper. We all take a seat a start grabbing food. We're about to say a prayer when the door bell rings and abuela hops out her chair "Hmm I wonder who that is .. I'll get it !" I look at my family and they try not to make eye contact. Weird .
I hear "Come we were just about to eat" and turn around making eye contact with Jackson. The guy I was dancing with. My eyes widen. "Shit" "Nina !" My mother glares at me. She's always tried to get me to stop swearing but It was a habit. My abuela leads him over to my side and tells him to sit down next to me. My dad is shooting Jackson a glare and I try to hide my smirk. He's so protective of his girls. My abuela is about to sit down when the doorbell rings again. "GREAT who else could be here" my mom shoots me a glare "Nina manners !" I roll my eyes and turn to Jackson. "Well you're even better looking than I remember you were" Laughter. I hear as I stand up and serve him food "Well your still as straight forward as you are beautiful" he winks . I smile down at him and him him his plate when abuela comes back with the last person I thought I'd see. Him. The plate slips from my hands and lands on Jackson's lap. "SHIT"
