Page 24 of A Follow-Through in Faking

“Until what, Santiago? Until we get married, have babies, grow old together? Don’t be absurd.

You don’t do relationships, and I don’t do men who have hurt me once already.

The second time would be on me for giving you another chance, and like you said, I’m too smart to make such a foolish decision. ”

She stands up, grabbing her ereader and towel before staring down at me. I’m too dumbfounded, too lost in how desperately I want what she was describing, to form any words.

Panic slips back around my throat, squeezing and further preventing me from speaking.

I don’t understand why all of a sudden I want a relationship. No, I don’t want a relationship. I want a relationship with Catalina.

Maybe it’s because I had never taken anyone on a date, but every time I take her, it feels wholeheartedly and unquestionably right.

Maybe it’s because I don’t care if people frown at me, but I’d pay a million euros just to have Catalina smile my way.

Maybe it’s because when I spend time with her, I don’t miss the way my life used to be and instead feel at peace.

Our history sits tall between us, separating us like a valley separates mountains.

It’s something I’m working on making up to her, but if I think about only meeting her later in life, I shudder.

No matter what, every moment with Catalina, from the beginning to now, is important to me, and I wouldn’t give them up for anything.

“Tell me this isn’t one-sided. Tell me you feel something for me. Tell me I’m not imagining things.”

Didn’t I just promise myself not to say anything remotely like this?

But it’s a desperate attempt to get hope back into my chest.

I need to know.

“I can’t tell you that, but I can show you something I’ve never shown anyone but Charlie, Sage, and Vanessa before. A sign of the trust I’m putting in you.”

“I’ll take it. I’ll take anything you want to give me.”

Oh my God, Santiago, shut the fuck up .

Catalina gives me an unsure look before putting everything down again.

I stand up to be in front of her, and she lets out a nervous breath before lifting her shirt over her head.

My whole body goes stiff at the sight of her breasts only covered by her small bikini top.

Her nipples are pebbled and press against the fabric, showing the outlines of her piercings.

Fuck.

Me.

“I know you love my tits, Santi, but I wanted to show you the tattoo.” I lick my lips as a bright smile covers my face.

“Do I get to see the piercings after?” I ask, meeting her gaze with a smug look. She smacks my arm playfully, but I chuckle when I notice the smirk on her face.

“Can you be serious for a second?” she asks, her expression falling a little when she presses a single finger to the tattoo on her chest. My smile disappears immediately, all of my attention shifting to the sad, nostalgic look covering her features.

This is about her mom.

I’ve known Catalina long enough to know that look by heart.

Mostly because my heart usually cries for her at the sight of it.

“I got this for my mamá.” She says the words as she picks up my hand to bring it to her tattoo, inviting me to trace it. Cata lets go of my wrist before I make contact, allowing me to make the decision whether to touch her.

Of course I do.

There is a sea turtle painted onto her skin from the top of her cleavage all the way under her breasts where its body extends.

It’s shaded in some areas, lines in others, and completely black in the rest. The words, “ La vida de una tortuga marina es una vida libre ” are written beneath it, to the left of her chest, and I trail my fingers over the words too, remembering Cata telling me her mom used to say this.

“I feel closer to her again through this, which may be silly, but—” I have to cut her off, have to reassure her.

“It’s not silly. This is beautiful. I think your mamá would have loved this intricate design,” I say, still studying it.

“Why would you share this with me if you haven’t shared it with anyone else?

” I can’t quite make myself drop my hand, so I run it down her stomach, toward the three butterflies she got tattooed above her hip bone.

“One for each of my siblings,” she explains before adding, “I told you because we have to start somewhere. Don’t make me regret this, okay?” she says, and I look back up into her blue eyes.

“I won’t. This will stay between us.” It’s a promise I’m going to use everything I have to keep. “Can I kiss you? Not on the lips, somewhere else,” I explain, and when she seems to hold her breath, I hold mine.

“Where?” she asks, but she isn’t pulling back.

She stays in place as I lower myself until my mouth hovers over her tattoo. I bring my gaze back to hers, tilting my head to look up at her.

“Here,” I whisper, my voice soft enough to almost get lost in the sounds around us.

A single nod is all the permission I need before pressing a soft kiss to the middle of the sea turtle.

It takes all of my willpower to stop there, not to keep going, kissing every single centimeter of her body.

“I won’t tell a soul.” Cata steps back, finally bringing a smile to her lips.

“We’ll see. But if you manage to keep your mouth shut, maybe I’ll let you kiss me somewhere even lower next time.”

I always knew Cata would kill me, but I didn’t think it would be this way.

Dying because of how much I want her.