MAY
Chapter 18
Carlos sat in the living room of Vera Trinkus’ home swimming in the hostility aimed his way. Amy’s uncles, Clint and Ray, sat on armchairs on either side of the couch he was perched on with YaYa’s date, Brian.
He’d already tried starting a conversation with Brian, but apparently, Brian had seen the memo and was following directions to give Carlos the cold shoulder. Unfortunately, his only ally in this family, Tim, was at his best man’s house down the street getting ready for the wedding. Amy, her cousins, mom, and aunt were all doing their hair and make-up together in Vera’s master bedroom.
He was alone.
The television cut the silence between the four men. Carlos tried to focus on the re-run of a cop drama that played on the screen, but his thoughts kept drifting to Amy. He knew he had to find a way to win over her family. She was far too important to allow this to continue.
He was also too jealous to have more incidents like the one they’d experienced last night when they’d arrived in San Diego. Regardless of her family’s claims that they believed Carlos was arriving on a separate flight, having a man ready and waiting at the airport for Amy with a bouquet of flowers took courage and a lot of evil intent as far as Carlos was concerned.
The man, it turned out, was an old friend of Amy’s from high school who’d recently returned from serving overseas. The poor guy did not, of course, have any idea she would be showing up with a boyfriend on her arm. It was hard to see the look on his face when he realized he’d been duped. But it was harder still for Carlos when the guy gave him a sympathetic smile and a gentle “good luck” as he left.
Amy unleashed her fury then and a massive family squabble ensued. Carlos felt guilty as hell as about it, so he was glad the women seemed to be getting along better now. He could hear them chatting in the background during this glacially long wait in the ice-cold living room.
He was about to check his watch again when all the women came barreling into the living room at once. Amy led the way, looking apologetic. Amy’s cousin, Gina, who’d just flown in from a meeting in New York, trailed behind her looking confused. Vera, sandwiched between Beth and YaYa, threw her arms about hysterically. Her freshly applied make-up was smeared around red eyes.
Amy shooed Brian out of his seat and sat down beside Carlos. Amy took his hand in hers. “Tell my mother about the private detectives.”
Carlos was taken by surprise. Amy knew all about this, but he didn’t think she was planning to tell her family, at least not now, just hours before Tim’s wedding. “Um…okay.”
Amy quickly explained. “My mom randomly decided to have a meltdown about Rodney. She’s convinced he’ll show up at the wedding or something. Can you please explain to her that we know that’s not going to happen?”
“Um…sure.” Carlos shifted his focus to Amy’s mother. “Mrs. Trinkus, I hired a private detective agency to track Rodney’s whereabouts and keep tabs on him. He did go to Texas after he was released and moved in with his girlfriend in Houston. They got married a few weeks ago. She works at a bakery and he works at a factory. He’s in court-ordered therapy. He checks in regularly with his parole officer and he’s not once left the state.”
Every pair of eyes in the room settled on Carlos as soon as he’d begun to speak and they stayed glued there after he finished. The silence was so deep and intense Aunt Beth jumped when there was a gunshot from the television.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Vera asked Amy.
“I didn’t want to bring it up. I thought maybe he wasn’t on your mind and that was a good thing. If I mentioned it then I would put him on your mind. How was I supposed to know you’d randomly freak out on today of all days?”
“Come on,” Beth said to Vera. “Let’s fix your make-up.”
The women shuffled out the room the way they’d come in. The men turned back to the television. And Carlos’ tiny hope that perhaps the time and money he’d put into ensuring Amy’s safety would earn him a scrap of respect from her family completely died. But he hadn’t done it for them anyway. So he looked at Amy’s perfect face and smiled. She kissed him quickly before hopping out of the room to join the others.
A painful thirty minutes later, the women were finishing up and announced they would be ready to leave for the church soon when an urgent thumping sounded on the front door. Clint stalked over and threw it open, clearly put out that someone had come calling on his son’s special day.
“I need help!” An urgent voice called from the other side.
Clint ushered a tall, thin man into the living room. He was handsome, in his early thirties and wearing a portion of a tux. Carlos’ brain kicked into gear and he recognized Tim’s Best Man, Anthony, from the rehearsal dinner the night before. The lanky man with the deep tan, pitch black hair, and gold chain peaking out beneath his unbuttoned tuxedo shirt looked completely panicked.
“What the hell is wrong?” Clint roared.
“Tim is freaking out. I’ve tried to talk him down. But it’s not working. I came to get you.” Much to Carlos’ surprise, and everyone else’s, Anthony turned to him.
Carlos put his hand on his chest. “Me?”
“Yeah. He specifically asked for you.”
“I’m his father. I’ll go.” Clint moved toward the door.
Anthony, clearly either brave or stupid, put his hand on Clint’s chest. “No. He asked for Carlos. At this point, I think we should do exactly what he wants.” Anthony spoke as though they were in a dire hostage situation.
“I’ll go.” Carlos got to his feet.
Surprisingly, Clint didn’t follow him and Anthony out the door. And the two of them made their way together down the street.
“What, exactly, is going on?” Carlos asked as they strolled down the sidewalk past a series of well cared for Victorian homes.
“He’s got a serious case of cold feet. And since, like, everyone in his family has been divorced, I can’t exactly blame him.”
“I hate to point this out. But I’ve been divorced, too.”
“I know. And that’s just it. He wants to talk to someone who’s been married and divorced, but not his family. They’re too…”
“Overbearing?” Carlos suggested.
Anthony laughed. “Good description. Speaking of which, I heard they’ve been giving you a really hard time, man.”
Carlos shrugged. “I’ll live.”
“Amy’s worth it.” Anthony’s tone held reverence and maybe a hint of desire. Carlos looked at him, and there must have been something possessive in that glance because Anthony held his hands up like he was being arrested. “I had a crush once upon a time, but she never showed any interest. I swear.”
Of course she hadn’t. Amy hadn’t given anyone the time of day until she met Carlos. He smiled and clapped Anthony on the back. “Don’t worry. I believe you.”
Anthony’s house was smaller than the one Vera Trinkus lived in. It was split into two units and Anthony rented the second floor. When they made it to the apartment they were greeted by a frantic Tim. “Carlos, thank God you’re here.” Tim launched himself into Carlos’ arms and took a deep man-hug from him.
“Okay. Let’s…um…have a drink, shall we?” Carlos suggested as he pulled Tim to arm’s length to get a good look at him. Tim did look truly ruffled.
Anthony poured three glasses of whiskey on the rocks and they all sat down on the lone couch in his living room. Carlos waited until Tim had a few sips and seemed to be slightly calmer before he asked, “What’s going on?”
“Cold feet, I guess. I don’t know. I’m a mess.” Tim ran a hand through his hair. He gestured to himself. He wore his tuxedo pants and shirt, but the tie was just looped over his neck. His jacket and shoes were missing. His hair was in utter disarray. “You, on the other hand, you always look great.”
Amy had commented on the same thing that morning. Carlos was in his best suit, a pinstriped grey with a light blue silk tie that matched Amy’s dress. “I look even better with your cousin on my arm.” Carlos grinned.
Tim laughed. “See. I feel the same way about Marilyn. I love her like crazy, the way you obviously feel about Amy.”
“Then what’s the problem, man?”
“He’s afraid of divorce,” Anthony said.
Tim nodded shamefully and took another sip of whiskey. “It’s true. My family doesn’t have the best track record.”
“So what?” Carlos said.
“What do you mean, so what?” Tim asked. “It’s a big deal. What if I’m doomed from the beginning like the rest of my family?”
Carlos leaned back and stretched his legs in front of him. He wanted Tim to feel the calm he was trying to project. “So what if you get divorced? It’s not death. At least you would have tried. I mean, you love her. You’ve been together for years. You want to get married now. Why would you not do it because you might, at some unknown future date, get divorced?”
Tim and Anthony both stared at Carlos as if he’d just spoken in tongues. So he tried a different approach. “Look, I was married. It didn’t work out. And even though my ex is a royal pain in the ass and I worry that she will screw with Amy, I wouldn’t change it if I had to do it all over again. My marriage altered the course of my life, and that course led to now, to Amy. Sure, I was unhappy for a while. Sure, the divorce was tough to go through. But it didn’t last forever. It didn’t mean I couldn’t be happy again. I am happy, happier than I’ve ever been.”
“Man, you are like the groom whisperer with your last-minute wisdom.” Tim rose from the couch. “Holy shit.”
Carlos rose as well and the two men hugged. “Does this mean you are ready to get your ass to the church?”
“Yes. And you’re coming with us. I want you in the wedding.”
“Marilyn’s gonna freak,” Anthony said. “It will be uneven.”
“He’ll walk with Amy. It will be perfect. I wanted her in the wedding anyway but Marilyn insisted on three, not four, on each side. It doesn’t matter.” He waved his arm dismissively. “She’ll let me have this one thing.”
Carlos was not so sure about that. “I’m not wearing—” He looked down at his suit.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m doing this and I want you, Carlos Diaz, standing beside me when I do.”
****
Carlos managed to talk Tim out of upsetting the apple cart further with last minute changes to the bridal party. But he did get talked into riding with Tim and Anthony to the church and staying with them through the groomsmen pictures.
He stood slightly away from the other men as they lingered in the church lobby greeting the wedding guests. The lobby filled and drained like a balloon as people entered, greeted one another, then moved into the chapel. Finally, the chaotic group of women he’d been waiting for rushed up the concrete steps accompanied by a couple of grumpy men. The entire entourage poured into the lobby in a noisy bundle of dresses, handbags, and flowers.
Amy made a beeline for him. He stood in awe as his eyes followed the way her silky dress swished around her shapely legs and hugged her perfect curves. She was wearing the diamond necklace he’d gotten her and it sparkled against her smooth skin.
Carlos was so preoccupied with Amy’s stunning shape he almost didn’t notice that Vera hung on her arm. Slightly shorter and heavier, Vera nonetheless had the same basic features as her daughter. Their eyes were identical, and their proud chins, held at the same angle, led them toward him.
“I missed you.” Amy stopped just inches from him and placed her hand on his lower arm.
Carlos’ voice nearly gave out as he responded to her. “I missed you, too.”
“Carlos,” Vera demanded.
His gaze snapped away from Amy and turned to her mother. Vera’s sharp eyes danced. “Come down here.” She reached her hand up to his shoulder and tugged.
He leaned down so his ear was close beside her mouth.
“You did good, Carlos.” She slapped the other side of his face with her hand. “I once knew a smooth-talking businessman. He gave me my baby. I thought you were like him. But I was wrong. You look out for my Amy and you saved my nephew’s wedding. You’re a good boy.” She patted his cheek again, softer this time, and kissed the other one.
Carlos straightened up and looked down at her. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Vera pulled her arm away from Amy’s and stuck it out at Carlos. “Take me to my seat.”
Carlos obeyed, walking Vera down the aisle and seating her in the front row beside Ray, Beth, and Clint. Then he took a seat with Amy in the pew behind them. She immediately tucked her hand in his and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Carlos stayed mostly quiet over the next three hours. The ceremony, so much shorter than his Catholic wedding years before, brought up new emotions in him. Rather than being a bitter reminder of his failed marriage, it served as a glimpse of a potential future.
The local country club filled with loud voices and laughter just minutes after the somber atmosphere of the church had been abandoned for the festive hall. Dinner held the same cacophony of the average two-hundred person party. Amy sat beside Carlos, clutching his hand as she talked with distant relatives and friends of the family.
When the dance floor finally opened up, Carlos took Amy in his arms and showed her his well-honed moves, swinging her across the floor smoothly for the first few songs before settling into a soft sway. His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her flush against him while hers looped around his neck.
“How did you get to be such a great dancer?” she asked.
“Big brothers. They made me learn. Said it would help me get laid.”
She laughed. “Well, it’s going to work tonight.” She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him quickly.
“Did I tell you how incredibly beautiful you look?”
She nodded. “A few times. But I like hearing it.” Her eyebrows shot together. “You know, I used to get annoyed when men told me that. It tended to lead up to a line. And, of course, I had no interest in being hit on once upon a time.” Her brow unfurled and she smiled up at him. “You changed all that.”
“Does that mean you don’t get annoyed when other men hit on you anymore?”
“Hmmm. Not so much. I have learned to appreciate it,” she said slyly. “But…”
“I was hoping there was a but.”
“I only have eyes for you.”
“Thank God.” He leaned down and gave her another quick kiss.
“You totally won over my mother, you know. You saved the wedding.”
Carlos tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered over the heirloom diamond cascade earing that hung off her lobe. “I’m glad she likes me now. But I didn’t really do much.”
“Are you kidding? You’re the hero of the Trinkus family.”
“To be honest, I don’t think Tim was ever close to backing out. He just needed a little push to get him out the door was all.”
“Well you did it. What was the problem anyway?”
“He was worried about divorce.”
“I can’t say I blame him. Literally everyone in our family, except my grandparents, have been divorced, or like my mom, not married at all. I guess I never really thought about how that would affect someone when it came to getting married. But maybe that’s because I never thought about getting married myself, until I met you.” As soon as she made the statement, Amy’s face turned white and she pulled one hand from around his neck and slapped it over her mouth.
Carlos couldn’t help but chuckle at her stricken expression. “You look like you just stuck your foot in your mouth.”
Amy slowly lowered her hand. She quit moving along with Carlos and now they were just standing at the edge of the dance floor. “I did. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about…Jesus, Amy!” she scolded herself.
“Carlos took her hand in his and kissed her palm. “It’s all right, baby. In fact I’m glad you brought this up.” Her eyes, saucers before, became impossibly larger. “Because, while it may be a little early for this conversation…”
She nodded.
“It does bring to mind the conversation about you moving in with me that we never finished.”
Amy let out her breath, and instantly seemed to relax. She put her arms back around Carlos’ neck and rolled her eyes. “Here we go again.”
He chuckled. “Is that another no?”
“Actually, I talked to Marcel a few days ago. Robbie is going to take over my part of the rent next month. So we just have to go get my stuff and it will be official.”
“Really?” Carlos tugged her into him for a hug. Then he pulled back so he could examine her face. “Baby, this is great.”
“Excuse me.” Amy and Carlos both turned to see Clint standing beside them. “Um…Carlos, could I have a word?” Clint gestured to the entrance of the ballroom with his head.
“Sure, Clint.” Carlos kissed Amy’s cheek and followed Clint out of the room and into the main hallway. Clint took a right and led him to a narrower, dimmer hall, stopping halfway down.
“We need to talk.” Clint’s voice dripped with intensity.
“Okay,” Carlos responded stiffly.
“You’re a numbers man, like me.”
Carlos nodded.
“So I think you’ll understand this analogy. Let’s say someone steals a diamond necklace from you. You have other necklaces, but they take this particular one. Then it gets returned to you. And that necklace, even though it is the same value as the other necklaces, it somehow becomes more…essential to you. You put it in a safe. Lock it up, so no one can ever steal it from you again. If someone tries to go for that safe, you instantly become protective of that necklace…Do you know what I mean?”
He may not have lived through Amy’s kidnapping as Clint did, but he could understand how she had become that precious object. “I do.”
Clint scratched his chin and examined Carlos with sharp eyes. “I was so worried about protecting Amy I didn’t see the man in front me. A man who just might be worthy of her. And I didn’t take her feelings into consideration, either. She loves you.”
Carlos nodded.
Clint smiled and put his hand on Carlos’ shoulder. “You better love her back.”
“I do.”
“Good. Because if you didn’t, I’d have to kick your ass.” Clint chuckled and slapped Carlos on the bicep. Then he held out his hand. Carlos shook it. “Truce?” Clint asked.
“Truce.”