Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 199143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 996(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 996(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
So, it worked.
“Doubt any will be left tomorrow. They drink, and they eat.”
“And laugh a lot.”
“Yes, until there’s nothing left. So, I will go and get you some, and be right back. Okay?”
“I told you, Juan, they’ll see you and—”
“No they won’t. Be right back.”
“Juan!”
She whisper-hissed at his back as he slipped out from under the tablecloth at a spot where no one’s legs were sticking under. Although only a few people still remained in the dining room. Most had moved onto the sitting room, or even the smaller table in the kitchen where they liked to play poker. Juan had to have heard her call to him, but it didn’t slow him down in the slightest, and he didn’t turn back around.
Because of course.
Cece grew silent as she waited for the inevitable to happen. For Juan to get caught crossing the room to grab the treat she had been whining about for the last hour, an adult to ask where she was, and then they’d both get put to bed even though she wasn’t even tired.
And Juan would probably just roll his eyes when she said I told you so to him again. Because yeah, this wasn’t even the third time they tried this trick together.
Then again, she was glad she had him for this.
No one else would bother to try.
Cece was still smiling, and still waiting for one of the adults—probably her parents—to lift the only thing keeping her hidden and out of view, the tablecloth, when Juan quickly slipped back underneath it with a grin.
One that looked way too sly.
And pleased.
He held out a plate.
A whole plate.
Filling the plate was her favorite treats—pink macaroons. Her ma made the very best. But she only let Cece have a couple because she might get a stomachache, or because sugar was bad for her teeth.
Psht.
She brushed her teeth.
And who couldn’t eat ten macaroons?
Babies.
Cece’s eyes went wide. “Nobody saw you?”
Juan shrugged. “Nope. Learned my lesson the last time—was quick and quiet and nobody saw a thing.”
Hmm.
She didn’t know if she believed that. She heard people still sitting around the table, even if she hadn’t gained the courage to peek her head out and check quite yet. But who knew? Maybe he had managed to sneak out and back without anyone seeing him.
And what did it matter?
But hey, she had her macaroons.
Her hiding spot.
A bedtime that didn’t exist.
And Juan under the table with her.
All things Cece loved.
Worked for her.
She took a macaroon from the plate and offered another to Juan. He took it with a smile, and even though she knew he didn’t like them as much as she did—fudge was his favorite, and she’d make sure her ma made him a whole pan of fudge before he left for Cali—he still ate it with a smile.
“Good?” he asked.
Cece nodded. “The best, Juan.”
Just like him.
Chapter 5 - A Crush
Cece POV
12 years old ...
“Yeah. I got it, Catty.”
Cece peeked up from the book in her hands with a raised eyebrow. Miguel was already looking her way as well, and she could tell just by the way his lips pursed and he lifted his broad shoulders that plans changed. She was used to that now, though. Whenever she came to Cali with her mom, things were ever-changing. One day she might be expecting to do something, and in the next minute, they’d get a call that something else had happened.
Nothing new.
She didn’t mind.
Besides, it meant more time with Miggy.
And also Juan.
She liked that.
A lot.
Given it was summer, it didn’t matter if plans had to change. It wasn’t like she had to be to school on Monday—thank God—so whatever. During the school year, it felt like the months dragged by. She’d much rather be traveling to Cali with her ma, but instead, she was reminded by both her parents that education was important.
And that her family was in New York.
So, why did Cali feel like home, too?
Nobody ever had a good answer for that.
“Well?” she asked Miguel.
“Guess you’re staying here for the night. Your ma’s meeting is going to run a little late, and she figured you would probably rather stay here than have me drive you back to the hotel after midnight. That gonna be a problem, or ...?”
Not really.
“It’s cool, Miggy.”
Miguel smiled. “Cool, princess.”
He was the only person allowed to call her that other than her family. Because they—and Miguel—didn’t turn it into a joke. Cece wasn’t anyone’s joke. And she didn’t mind reminding people of that fact, either.
“Once Stephanie gets home with the kids, we’ll figure out something for dinner,” he added, “or shit, maybe we’ll go out.”
“Either is good.”
“All right.” Miguel nodded over her shoulder. “How about you go tell Juan to chill out and take a drink of water? He’s been out back kicking that damn ball for two hours and I’m sure he’s forgotten to hydrate.”