Page 63

My face immediately transforms with a smile for my girl. “Hi, sweetie. How was school today?” I say as I place my bag on the small, crooked, wood chair I keep by the door. It’s multipurpose—I sit on it to take off my shoes, and it doubles as a bag holder.
Nothing in this flat is single-use. When you live with a small budget, you have to use and repurpose things.
Kicking off my shoes, I lean down to hold Ava in my arms.
“It was great. We started learning about...” She trails off as she turns to look at Mrs. Evans. “What is that I told you we were learning about today?” Ava asks as she grabs her chin, deep in thought, and I can’t help but grin at the sight.
“Shapes, sweet girl,” Mrs. Evans says.
Ava’s face lights up. “Yes, shapes, Mummy. Do you want me to make you a picture using only shapes?”
“I would love that.”
Ava nods, grabs her crayons and paper, and sits down on her little desk by the dining table.
I’m about to sit on the sofa when she turns around. “Mummy, I almost forgot. Did you give Boss Man the picture?” Her eyes are wide and expectant.
I stifle a chuckle as I grab the little red box from my bag.
“I did. He loved it.”
Ava starts jumping in place, a huge grin on her face, and Mrs. Evans and I laugh at her antics.
“Here, he sent you this.”
Her eyes go wild and she rushes over, grabbing the box from my hand.
“Easy, sweetie. There’s no rush,” I say, sinking into the sofa, and she plops down beside me.
As soon as Ava opens the box, she gasps—loud and dramatic, just like always. Then, to my surprise, she starts kissing the brooch.
Mrs. Evans cackles, and I roll my eyes. My girl is nothing if not extra.
“This is the bestest present ever,” she says as she continues to kiss the diamond duck. “I need to make him another picture as a thank you!”
She rushes over to her desk and gets on her task.
I release a deep breath when I hear her sweet voice again.
“Mummy, how do you say duckling in Spanish?”
I chuckle. “Patito,” I reply, watching as she nods and goes back to her painting.
Mrs. Evans shifts in her seat, giving me a knowing look. “I take it Mr. Godoy gave you another day off?”
I nod, pressing my lips together as I gather my thoughts. My mind is a tangled mess, looping over today’s events.
What would Ava think of me if I tell her I’m marrying someone I just met?
For her entire life, it’s just been the two of us. How could I do this to her? Kids thrive on routine. And marrying him would definitely alter ours.
“He didn’t fire you, did he?” Mrs. Evans asks, her voice lace with concern.
I shake my head, but the knot in my stomach tightens.
“Camila, you have me all worried here. What happened?”
I check on Ava, making sure she’s not listening. She’s completely focused on her drawing.