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“Let’s rip off the bandage,” Lola decided, squeezing Carmen’s hand a little tighter since it was the last time she’d ever hold it.

Carmen smiled. She’d chosen correctly.

Down the middle path illuminated by towering palm trees lit up to look neon pink and purple and green, they arrived at what would have been a Spanish-style manor all white stucco and terra cotta barrel tiles, but had been disguised by CGI projections to look like the heart of an enchanted forest.

Ivy crept up the walls in luminous greens, neon pinks, and vivid purples. Glowing butterflies flitted from magical blooms. The rooftops curved elegantly like ocean waves, glittering as if made of moonlight.

Arched windows revealed scenes of fairy revelry happening within. Towering doors carved with intricate nature patterns stood open in welcome. Above, a balcony railing swirled and swooped like tree branches.

The mansion emanated a whimsy only found in dreams. Lola imagined what kind of magic lurked inside. As she drew closer, violin music and laughter spilled from the entryway in harmony with the main path’s ambient forest sounds.

“Holy shit,” Lola gasped.

At her side, Carmen chuckled. “I know, right? The kids go nuts.”

Kids. Right.

Inside, fancy people in fancier clothes snaked through the silent auction — expected to place bids — before reaching the ballroom and the open bars offering liquid courage.

Lola bid on a luxury yacht trip to the Keys, a spa day, and a VIP package for a Heat game.

“What do you think?” Carmen was bent over a tablet, entering her name and a number with too many zeros.

Lola could barely understand what Carmen was saying. In this unfamiliar place, she was so unarmed, so unprotected. There was no thinking. Just feeling. Just the sensation of Lola’s chest inflating to the point that her ribs threatened to crack. A wanting that sang in her blood and muscles and skin. There was only Carmen and her smiling face and an aura so brilliant that it melted any defenses Lola had left.

She was falling. Lola felt it in the drop in her stomach and the soaring in her heart. Felt it in the weakness in her knees and the heat on her skin. But it wasn’t a plummeting to her death. It was a floating. An optimism. A hope. A faith.

“What?” Carmen straightened, eyes gleaming and trained only on her. “You don’t want to have dinner at an exclusive beach resort?”

Lola couldn’t care less about what she’d bid on. On where she wanted to eat. On what she wanted to win. She just wanted to be with her. Wherever she was. God, how lame and on-brand unfortunate.

“Am I presuming by expecting you to come with me if I win?” A smile played on the corners of Carmen’s lips, inviting her to kiss them.

“Please,” Lola tried to scoff but only managed something like a sigh. “As if I’d let you take anyone else,” she added, goading her into a reaction to mask her own vulnerability out of habit.

Carmen laughed, the sound echoing in Lola’s chest. “Let? You think you’re my boss now? That I’m just going to do whatever you say?” She inched closer, leaning in so Lola could drown in her perfume and evaporate in the warmth of her body. “That only applies behind closed doors, champ,” she whispered against the shell of her ear.

Desire, a sensation more familiar than falling, rushed through Lola’s body. Remembering where they were, she balled up her hands instead of reaching for Carmen and making a fist in her hair to kiss her.

Carmen reached for her again, interlacing their fingers as they floated out of the maze of tables offering all sorts of prizes, and drifted toward the ballroom where the moment of ugly truth awaited.

At least the place we end will be more glamorous than how we started. She thought of the parking garage when she stepped into the incredible space. The soaring arched ceiling was a canvas for dazzling projections of stars, swirling galaxies, and flashes of auroras. In the center, a massive chandelier cascaded in strands of crystals that seemed lit from within by magic. Iridescent drapes floated down the walls like moonlit waterfalls.

Even the freaking floor shimmered, tiles alternating patterns to create a hypnotic effect when they stepped over them. It was a cool effect for what felt like a march toward certain death.

She would have recognized Carmen’s mother even if she hadn’t seen her around the building. Making her way through the black-tie crowd, the older version of Carmen was the focal point in the extraordinary setting. Salt and pepper hair pulled back and heavy black gown outlining her strong body. The woman moved like she owned every inch of this place and everyone in it.

Lola thought of queens and czarinas and empresses. She commanded respect in her kingdom, much like Natalia did at Dominion. Grateful she’d never been trapped in the elevator with both of them, Lola kept her grip on Carmen and followed.

Waiting for the woman to finish greeting their state senator and her husband, Lola couldn’t stop her palms from sweating. Carmen’s hold on her only tightened, as if she could calm her with her touch.

When Carmen’s mother turned toward them, her cool gaze caught on Lola and stayed there. Reducing her to rubble with the kind of intimidating glance that women like them wielded like it was weightless.

“Mom, this is Lola Barros,” Carmen said with a broad smile. “Lola, this is my mom, Ana Bernal-Vargas.”

Unsure whether to greet her, Lola hesitated. “Ms. Bernal-Vargas it’s—”

“Call me Ana,” she said, putting Lola out of her misery and stretching out one arm to signal that they’d be kissing on the cheek rather than shaking hands. “I’m surprised it’s the first time we’ve met.” Her attention flicked down Lola’s body and back to her face. “Given your history.” She shifted her gaze to Carmen for only a second.