Chapter 29

Sam settledinto a cushioned lounge chair next to the infinity pool, the endless expanse of blue ocean stretching out before her. Blanca claimed the chair on her right while Greta took the one on her left, fresh margaritas in hand from the poolside bar.

Before Sam could taste the salt rim of her glass, Blanca was assaulting her with questions. “Alright, spill. What is going on with you and Natalia? You didn’t even tell me you were still seeing each other!” Her round face was flushed red and accentuating the black of her curls and emerald of her eyes. “How serious is it? Have you defined the relationship?”

Sam chuckled and sipped her drink. There was nothing wrong with it, but it lacked the sweetness of the rum on Natalia’s lips. “Slow down. It’s not that serious.”

“How serious is it, then?” Greta asked, her tone gentler than Blanca’s but just as curious.

“I’m still figuring it out.” Sam gulped her drink, the alcohol loosening her tongue. “She’s here because the studio is allegedly offering me full creative control if I let them turn Lilith and her daughters into a movie. She’s convinced I won’t really think about it unless she’s reminding me about it with her presence every second.”

“You’re actually thinking of doing the movie now?” Blanca’s eyes widened.

Sam gave a noncommittal shrug. “Maybe. I said I’d consider it. We’ll see what happens.”

“I don’t think someone would come all this way just for business deals.” Greta’s soft tone was layered with meaning. Her sweet blue eyes saw right through Sam’s bravado.

Her chest tightened, hope rising despite her caution. She wanted to believe Greta was right. That Natalia was here for more than just a business strategy.

Being with Natalia was like chasing flashes of light through a labyrinth, never sure which way led out into the open. She still couldn’t quite grasp Natalia’s true motivations. One minute she was guarded and aloof, the next tender and passionate.

Sam remembered the electric thrill of Natalia’s lips on hers, the possessive grip of her hands. The subtle apprehension she’d sensed from Natalia earlier today. Her touch was consuming and addictive, and making it impossible for Sam to think of anything but her. Maybe her strategy would backfire and they’d both forget about the offer, Sam thought with wicked amusement. But there was so much doubt in her gut. Natalia was so driven and single-minded — she wouldn’t underestimate her desire to close the deal or overestimate her romantic interest.

“Just... Don’t push her too fast, okay?” Sam implored her friends. “I don’t totally have her figured out yet, and I don’t want to scare her away.”

“That woman doesn’t look like she’s scared of anything,” Blanca replied with a grin, but she mimed zipping her lips with mischief dancing in her eyes.

Greta rubbed Sam’s shoulder reassuringly. “We’re just happy to see you happy. Whatever form that takes.”

Sam nodded. She couldn’t deny that the stolen moments with Natalia were the closest she’d felt to happy in a long time. That being with Natalia was like skydiving while getting a tattoo and being shocked with a thousand bolts of electricity. It was like being completely awake.

They lingered by the pool as the sun slipped below the horizon. Sam finished a third margarita as she chatted with Blanca and Greta.

Eventually, Blanca stretched with a groan. “We should start getting ready, too. Wouldn’t want to keep the fam waiting.”

Sam stood, the effects of too many drinks on an empty stomach hitting her. “I’m going to check on my parents first, make sure they’re not lost somewhere on the grounds.”

Greta laughed, making it clear she didn’t buy that for a second. “More like make sure they’re on their best behavior for meeting Natalia.”

Sam winced. “Is it that obvious?”

“Oh honey.” Blanca patted her shoulder. “You’ve got it so bad.”

With a sigh, Sam made her slightly unsteady way back to the main building. She slipped into her parents’ room, relieved to find them dressed and ready, aside from her dad struggling with his tie.

“Let me help you with that, Papi.” She kissed her dad’s cheek. Before he answered, she took his tie and put it on herself to give him a perfect, wide Windsor with a pronounced dimple.

“How’s my favorite daughter?” Her father beamed as she expertly knotted his tie.

“Your only daughter is a bit buzzed. Went a little too hard at the pool bar,” she joked while slipping the tie back over his head.

Her mother clucked in disapproval, but her eyes were twinkling when she joined them in the villa’s living room and kissed Sam hello. “Did you have a nice afternoon with your friends? Blanca told me you brought a date?”

Sam rolled her eyes. Of course Blanca called her mother to tell her before Sam had gotten to their room. Concentrating on straightening her father’s collar, Sam shot her mom a glance. “We’re taking things slow, Mami. She’s just a friend,” she added, for lack of a better term.

Her mother’s smile was undeterred. “We’re just so proud of you for putting yourself out there again, mi amor.”

Sam avoided her gaze, irritation prickling. Why was everyone obsessed with misconception lately? “I’ve dated plenty over the years, Ma.”

“No one you’ve brought into the family circle before. Losing Sofia?—”

“I better get back to my room.” Sam cut her off with a swift kiss on the cheek. “See you both at dinner.”

She escaped before the conversation could venture deeper into emotional territory. Back in her shared villa, she was disappointed to find it empty — no sign of Natalia.

Samantha wandered through the spacious rooms, peeking into the bedroom and out to the private patio just in case Natalia was tucked away working somewhere. But she was gone.

More disappointed than she expected to be, Samantha started the shower, letting the hot water work out the tension in her shoulders. She replayed her mother’s words in her head. And Blanca’s from months before. She didn’t think she’d been holding back from opening her heart.

The grief over losing her wife had nearly destroyed her. For so long after, she’d thrown herself into work and family as distractions. But she’d dated plenty too. Why was everyone ignoring that fact?

While she rinsed shampoo from her hair, she made a list of all the women she’d been out with over the last eight years. Women she’d brought around her family and friends — even if it wasn’t at something as significant as her parents’ anniversary event. Women that didn’t terrify and challenge and delight the way Natalia did, she admitted.

Natalia stirred feelings in her she’d thought were buried forever. Made her feel truly seen and desired. But it’s not like she was the one running from that. It was Natalia.

The idea of giving her heart to someone new was daunting. Like standing on the edge of a cliff, searching for the courage to jump and trust you’d land safely. But hadn’t she made it obvious that she was willing to try?

As the water cascaded over her, Sam knew everyone was wrong. She wasn’t the problem. She was open and ready and emotionally available. And not because Natalia was hard to catch, she decided with complete conviction despite the uncomfortable, undefinable ache in her belly.