Sofia sat in the hard wooden chair at the café and squirmed. She was sore in all the best places, and feeling a little raw from Adrian’s stubble during their shower adventure. It was a miracle no one had drowned. He’d given her two more orgasms and a renewed appreciation for the pleasures her body could provide. For the first time in years, she was aware of her body without a lick of shame. She smirked and replayed the way he’d knelt and hooked her leg over his shoulder while leaning her back under the spray. The combination of steaming hot water and his wicked tongue flowing over her clit had been mind-blowing. By the time he relented and let her go down on him, she’d lost all finesse, caught up in raw passion. She made him come all over her chest and enjoyed every second of cleaning up again. Even now, the mere memories were making her tingle.

So when her mom came up behind her and dropped a hand on her shoulder, Sofia leaped from her chair and blushed beet red as her mother laughed.

“Whoa! Easy. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Sofia leaned in and kissed her mother on the cheek before gesturing to the chair next to hers.

“I was daydreaming.” And what a fine dream it was. “Can I get your latte?”

“No, darling. I’ll have a mocha, please.”

“You look lovely today. What’s the occasion?”

Josephine Valenti never dressed up without good reason. After years in the construction offices, jeans and flannels were practically her uniform. There were certain constants in Sofia’s world. Her mother wore flannel, made a mean red sauce, and always drank skim lattes before lunch. So this polished version of her mother, complete with makeup and jewelry and ordering mochas, was cause for question.

“I don’t need a reason to do the things that make me feel good. No time like the present.”

“That’s true.” Sofia dutifully ordered a mocha for her mother and an Americano for herself. While her mother, still slender at sixty, could afford the calories of a mocha splurge, Sofia could not. As of this morning, she was taking back her life and going on a diet. She’d even gone so far as to clear out her chocolate drawer at work. It was killing her slowly. No one ever died from chocolate withdrawal, she reminded herself sternly. But man, that mocha smelled divine.

She set the tempting cup in front of her mother, who smiled and drank deeply.

“So, how’ve you been, Mom? You haven’t come around the office lately to catch up.”

“I’m not giving that place one more minute of my life.” The smile dropped from her mother’s face. The vehemence behind that statement set Sofia back in her chair. Her mother had certainly been more and more withdrawn from the business since Gabe’s death, but she still popped in from time to time just to check up on things. Looking back, it had been a good six months since her mother had casually dropped by.

“Well, the pilot has finished filming. The Shahs loved their new home.”

“That’s nice, dear.” Josephine took a sip of her coffee and checked her phone.

That was it? That’s nice, dear? Sofia had spent the last month juggling the job her mother had dropped in her lap on top of this huge project. The casual disinterest felt like a slap in the face. Her mother looked up at her silence and Sofia’s shock must’ve shown on her face, because Jo quickly followed up.

“You know what I mean. I’m sure it was challenging, and I’m glad it’s done now. I didn’t know how you were going to juggle everything. But honestly, I hope the show doesn’t get picked up.”

Sensing that she was stepping through a minefield of conversational topics, Sofia tried to pick a new path. Adrian was the topic on the tip of her tongue. She couldn’t get him out of her head or her heart. Anytime she started dating someone new, her mom was the first to know. It felt strange that things had progressed so far without her mother’s counsel. She should ask about bringing him to dinner Friday. Adrian had never been to a family dinner before, and she was nervous about how it would go. But with him by her side, Sofia felt she could handle her family’s questions. Sofia wanted Adrian to be as welcome at her family table as she’d felt in Graciela’s kitchen. Maybe they could get everyone together for a talk about the proposal. It was worth a shot.

“Are we still on for family dinner next Friday?”

“Yes.” Jo had gone back to tapping on her phone. Who on earth was she texting? Since when did her mom text?

“Can I bring Adrian along?”

Jo sighed and turned her phone over. “I wish we didn’t have to bring business to the table, but I suppose it’s fine.”

“It’s not business, Ma. I’m seeing him.”

Another awkward pause filled the space between them, accompanied by a searching and faintly pitying look from her mother. Ouch. Sofia rubbed a hand across her heart to ease the pinch. What was she seeing? Her daughter playing Icarus and reaching too close to the sun? Did she just assume Sofia wouldn’t be able to hold the attention of a guy like Adrian? Or was it the opposite, more of a “no guy is good enough for my daughter” thing? Adrian was a guy who worked in construction. Did she hold that against him? That couldn’t be it. For goodness’ sake, she’d married Dad, and she’d known Adrian for twelve years. He was a good guy, and Jo liked him. So, Option A: Sofia wasn’t “enough” for him.

Her mother’s unspoken critique flowed like rancid oil through her mind, coating every good thought with thick, sticky shame. Of course she wasn’t good enough for a man like Adrian. Just look at him. Gorgeous, brave, successful. Everything Sofia wasn’t. And whose fault was that? Her own, but she resented the fact that her mother had walked away and let the business fall into Sofia’s lap. If she hadn’t been stuck behind that desk for three years, maybe she’d have more to bring to the table. Pain and frustration pummeled her in waves and threatened to pull her under into the deep world of self-doubt and shame. She cast about, looking for a lifeline. Her mother might not approve, but Sofia wasn’t going to let that sway her from her mission today. She’d told her siblings she’d find out what was going on between their parents. There would be time to tend her wounds later.

“So what have you been up to lately?”

“I’ve joined a group for older adults that plans outings to local sites of interest. It has been so fun! We got in for a tour of Moffett Field and the Rosicrucian Museum. We even helped prune back the roses at the San Jose Rose Garden. I’ve learned so much!”

For the first time since she arrived, her mother seemed like her old self, excited and full of energy. Sofia hadn’t realized how long that sparkle had been missing until it showed up full force today. She was glad to see her parents finally starting to pull out of the grieving spiral. Maybe there was no need to worry about them not speaking. Dad was probably blowing things out of proportion again.

“Did Dad like being put to work on his day off?” Sofia could picture his gruff grumbling about pruning being Enzo’s job.

Jo didn’t look up from her mocha where she flicked the lid with her thumb. “He didn’t come. He was too busy.”

Sofia rocked back in her chair. Damn. But if Dad wasn’t on set and he wasn’t home with Mom, where was he spending his days?

Her mother picked up her phone and started tapping again. “In fact, I’m heading out for a tour of the Winchester Mystery House in a little bit, so I’m afraid I can’t stay long.”

“Oh. That’s okay. I just missed catching up with you.” Sofia couldn’t help but resent whoever was on the other side of that text for taking her mother’s attention. She wasn’t a toddler who needed mommy all the time, but she sure felt like throwing a tantrum. She needed her mother’s support and enthusiasm, not a casual brush-off in favor of a haunted house. Everything about this felt wrong.

“You’re so sweet. How are things outside work?”

Finally, a bit of interest in her life. But how to answer that after her earlier silence? Adrian had been a large part of her life outside work. How could she explain any of that to her mother who clearly thought she was playing out of her league?

“Judging by your silence, I’m going to assume that you’re still working your fingers to the bone for that damn place.” Jo leaned forward and gripped Sofia’s hands tightly. “Listen. Don’t do what I did. Nothing—no company, no job, no man—nothing is worth sacrificing everything for. I gave that place thirty years of my life. I don’t want to see you trapped in the same pit.”

Sofia tried to hear the message of love behind her mother’s words, but she wanted thirty years at the company, just not behind the manager’s desk. To hear her dream condemned by her own mother sliced at her already wounded heart.

“That’s easy to say when you’re the one who walked away and left me holding the shovel.”

“I never said you had to take over the office work.”

“Who was going to make sure the bills got paid? Who was going to send out invoices and keep the place afloat? Who was going to make sure that our employees still got their paychecks? Dad? Enzo? Frankie? No. I was the only one stepping forward to do those things.” Sofia’s voice quivered with frustration.

“You always do this. You tear people down with all these questions. I don’t answer to you, Sofia. I did what I had to do, and I don’t regret it.”

Sofia’s heart took another hit and tears gathered behind her closed lids. She didn’t tear people down, did she? Was that how people saw her? Sofia gripped her hands together, battling for control. Her mother’s soft hand landing on top of hers nearly broke her. She was barely holding it together. This was not what she’d expected from coffee with her mom.

“No one is making you stay and do those things, Sofia.” Her tone, as soft as her hand, was meant to soothe, but the condescension behind it pushed her into an angry retort.

“I am, Ma. I want my design business to be an integral part of Valenti Brothers. We have the reputation you all worked so hard to build, the opportunity to expand our brand through the show, and I am finally getting to do what I love. I can’t walk away from the business side and let it all fall apart before I have a chance to succeed.”

Jo pulled her hand away and checked her phone again before tucking it inside her purse. Her words were so quiet that Sofia almost missed the pain threading through them.

“I wish it would burn to the ground.”

Sofia sat silent. She knew her mother had wanted Dad to step back, but this… This felt like more than that.

“He will never leave that company unless it is gone. I didn’t want to bring this up, but you should know. I am considering leaving your father.”

“What? Does Dad know about this?” Sofia was in shock. She’d known her parents had fought over the company for years and the show more recently, but she’d always seen their marriage as rock-solid. This news was an earthquake, shaking her foundation.

“I don’t know what your father knows. We haven’t spoken since he announced that ridiculous television show. He knew. He knew I needed him, and he put that company first again.”

Jo drank down the last of her coffee and set the white cup down carefully, while Sofia struggled to make sense of her words. Could her mother really toss aside a lifetime together? If Sofia had been asked yesterday, her answer would have been no. But today, the sadness and pain in her mother’s eyes made the impossible seem plausible. Sofia needed to try and salvage this.

“So he could leave it in a strong position for the rest of us.”

“Don’t be naive. He won’t leave until a backhoe loads his casket into the ground.”

Was that why her dad wouldn’t answer her questions? Because he had no intention of giving the company over to anyone?

Her mother’s attention had shifted from her to a spot over her shoulder, before returning earnestly to her face. “I don’t want to see what happened to me happen to you, too. I love you, Sofia. It’s just not worth it. My ride for the excursion is here. I’ve got to run. Thanks for the coffee. Give my love to Enzo and Frankie.”

Before Sofia had a chance to find her scattered words in the aftermath of the land mines she’d tripped, her mother had kissed her cheek and was gone, climbing into the car of a very attractive silver-haired gentleman who closed the door for her.

* * *

Sofia twisted her hair into a bun for the third time and pinned it ruthlessly. She wanted everything to go perfectly tonight. Graciela had been so kind and welcoming all the nights that she’d stayed over, and she wanted Adrian to feel the same way at her family table. She also knew that her family could be ruthless in their teasing. Hopefully, the fact that they all knew him already would make it easier. But after her weird conversation with her mom the other day, who knew?

She hadn’t shared her thoughts with her siblings yet, and that felt strange. She didn’t know what was going on between her parents, and she prayed that whatever happened tonight, Adrian wouldn’t be hurt. Her mom had always been a pillar of support and encouragement. She barely recognized the woman she’d had coffee with. Sofia had come away from that meeting battered and bruised at heart. Who knew what would happen at dinner?

She pulled her bun out and tried for a casual tousled look, as if looking relaxed was the same as feeling relaxed. She touched up her lipstick and mascara. Nope, still not working. Wielding her brush like a weapon, she ruthlessly tugged her hair back into her trademark ponytail so she could quit worrying about it and get a move on. When Adrian poked his head into the bathroom, she jumped and squeaked.

“Nervous?”

“Maybe. Are you?” She leaned into his hug.

“Hell, yes. I haven’t talked to Dom in weeks because of the show, and the first thing I’m going to tell him is ‘I’m dating your daughter’? Yeah, I’m a little nervous about how that’s going to go down.”

“Just don’t tell him how I go down, and it’ll be fine,” she teased, more relaxed now that she had his strong arms wrapped around her.

He leaned his forehead against hers and chuckled. “You’re sure it’s okay that I’m coming with you?”

She let out a bark of laughter as her dirty mind followed that train of thought to Smutville. “So not touching that joke. You’ve really got to quit laying them out there like that.”

“Be serious a minute.” His voice trembled.

She pulled back and looked him in the eye. All of her own fears and nerves were reflected back at her. Taking his face in her hands she kissed him lightly.

“I’m sure it’s more than okay that you’re coming with me. I talked to Mom about it the other day.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve just got a lot riding on tonight.”

Eye to eye, Sofia pushed aside her own worries and gave him the support he needed. She nuzzled into his neck, kissing her favorite spot at the base of his neck where the soft met the sinewy strength of his shoulders.

It had been years since she’d been this happy. Three, to be exact. The process of filming the pilot had been stressful, but Sofia was grateful for the chaos. It had shaken up the routine of her life and opened all sorts of new doors. New challenges, new ideas, and new dreams. How long would she have ignored Adrian if it hadn’t been for the show? She didn’t like to think about it. He’d been right in front of her face for years. How much time had they wasted?

They were certainly trying to make up for it now. In the last week and a half since that magical first time, they’d settled into a cozy routine where she and Adrian would drive home to his house in their separate cars to sit and eat dinner with his mother. Graciela loved to tell stories, and Sofia learned so much more about this man she was falling for. His love for his sisters, his role in the community, his awkward teenage years—every story, whether embarrassing or told with pride, added pieces to the complex puzzle that was Adrian Villanueva. She had to admit she was falling in love with Graciela also. She was impossible to resist, with her laughing eyes, her relentless hospitality, and her fierce love for her family.

But her favorite part of the day was when Adrian would follow her up the stairs to his apartment. The anticipation still tickled low in her belly, and made that moment when they finally joined together in bed even sweeter. They made love until dawn, when she’d drive home to get ready for the day. The thought that she could have had this in her life for years made her want to cry over their stupidity.

Maybe once things calmed down a little bit she could take him to her favorite cottage by the sea. The idea of spending time with her favorite person in her favorite place was tempting. The image of Adrian in board shorts made her mouth water. But she had no clue when they’d have time to indulge in a break.

No matter. They had here and now, and now was pretty darn spectacular. Not even a stressful family dinner was going to ruin her happiness.

“No matter what he says, no matter how this turns out, I’ve got you, and you’ve got me.”

He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead back to hers. “Deal.”