Page 120 of Rum & Coke

“I’m sorry,” I said again. “How did Sebastian get involved?”

“He was a buyer for here in Las Vegas, and when he heard what happened, he went to my country and saw the devastation, the people, the dead people. He cleaned up my town and helped a lot of people.”

“So, he did it to keep his cocaine flowing?”

Valentina stopped chopping, and instead of answering me, she said, “Santiago’s favorite dessert was Merengón de Fresas. I make for dessert.”

I didn’t ask why she was changing the subject. “What is merengue de frittata?”

She chuckled. “Merengón de Fresas. It’s meringue, whipped cream, and strawberries—Santiago’s favorite.”

“Sounds delicious too.”

“Si. It melts in your mouth.”

“Can’t wait. I’m happy to be learning all these recipes. Then I can make them for my kids and husband one day.” Yes, I went there. Fingers were crossed.

“Husband?”

I shrugged. “Hopefully one day.”

She started to pat the chicken with a paper towel and then seasoned it with salt and pepper. “You mean with Mr. Delarosa?”

I shrugged again. “Maybe? I’m hoping I don’t keep having children out of wedlock. I’ve always wanted to get married. Have the big fancy wedding and honeymoon.”

“That would be nice.” She smiled.

“Yeah, and maybe before I get too fat to look good in a wedding dress.” I laughed, pretending I thought it was funny when really I just wanted theweddingto be soon. I wasn’t sure how Joss would know, but I had to trust her. Though, if this really happened and she didn’t show, I’d have to marry the devil.

“You’ll never be fat, cariño. Being with child is a beautiful thing.”

“True. I can’t wait to eat your strawberry dessert. Calories don’t count now.”

I wasn’t sure if that was true or not. When I was pregnant before, I wasn’t stuck in a house, so I was able to burn calories. Now, I probably didn’t take three thousand steps each day. But the dessert sounded delicious, and I couldn’t wait to try it.

“Put your faith in God’s will, Jefe. You’ll see that this is the best decision.”

I only caught that line coming from Valentina’s room as I passed by on my way to put Colton to bed. I didn’t know who she was talking to, but Sebastian was the only other person here besides the guard at the front door.

I hurried to my room to put Colt to bed before I was caught eavesdropping.

Three long days later, Sebastian came home, smiling. It was unusual, to say the least. Not because I didn’t see him smile, but because he was usually all business. In the time I’d been there, we’d never watched TV together, never had a glass of wine together—which was good considering I was pregnant, and I didn’t like wine. In fact, we never did anything together except have sex. Colton and I had dinner with Valentina each night, and honestly, I didn’t know when Sebastian ate because I rarely saw him in the kitchen. He’d come home, go to his office, do whatever he did, and then call for me to pleasure him. After he was done with me, he’d fall asleep, or sometimes he’d leave. Of course, I never asked questions. I didn’t care.

But now he was smiling.

“You seem happy today,” I observed as he poured himself a drink from the bar in the living room.

“It’s because I am,” he replied.

“Why’s that?”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out later.”

I arched my brows. “Okay?”

He grinned some more. “Trust me, Tessa Baby.”

I returned to helping Colton do an animal sound puzzle.