the oversized pepper grinder off the table and throw it at him.
“What’s his problem?” I say under my breath, blinking back a tear. “Why is he so… awful?”
Valeria puts her arm around me, pulling me in for a hug. “Just ignore him. Men doesn’t understand these things. Having you make this dress is so much more special than buying it from a store.”
“I’m glad you think so. It’s my gift to Lo.” A knot is in my throat. “But if you think she’d prefer a dress from the store, from a real designer, and not something homemade—”
“She’s going to love this dress.” Val gives me another firm squeeze then releases me and takes out her tape measure. “Your brother is proud and a little arrogant. He’s like your father… and your grandfather.”
I watch as she trails the tape along the waist of the gown, making a note of the measurement.
Leaning forward, I lower my voice to a whisper. “How does he afford it all?”
She shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “Apparently he did well in Mexico.”
“Did well in Mexico?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice. “What does that mean?”
“Not what you’re thinking, I’m sure.” Dark eyes cut up at me, and I feel my cheeks heat at the scold in her voice. “Your brother is an honest man, Carmelita.”
“I didn’t mean that. I don’t know him very well. I don’t know what he does for a living. It’s like he’s a big mystery to me.”
“Beto’s no mystery.” She takes out one of Lo’s old dresses and lays it on top of the one I’ve made, holding the seams to see if they match. “He’s just caught up in the past.”
“What past?”
She shrugs, tossing the dress over her arm. “Things that don’t matter now. Your mamá took you to Mexico to get away from the drama.”
“What drama? Why do I feel like everyone’s keeping secrets from me?”
“No one’s keeping secrets!” She waves her hand as she pushes out of her chair. “I’m just not repeating gossip. Anyway, you’re right. I need to get Lo to try this on. It would be awful if it didn’t fit. Especially after all your hard work.”
My curiosity is on overdrive, and I want to stop her, make her tell me what she is clearly hiding from me. Front and center in my brain is the promise she demanded I make all those years ago.
But Valeria is out the door before I can stop her. “Watch Sofia for me, okay?”
“Yay!” My little cousin climbs into my lap, and Val is gone before I can say another word.
“They can’t keep me in the dark forever.” My eyes are on the mahogany front door, but my thoughts are miles away.
“I don’t like the dark.” Sofia is on my lap tracing her little fingers through the tiers of her sister’s skirt. “Lo’s going to be a princess.”
I wrap my arms around her and give her a squeeze. “She should be a princess. A girl only gets one quinceañera.”
Although, I never had one—not that I’m bitter or complaining. Mamá was too sick, and by the time she died, my birthday had already passed. Even if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t have felt like celebrating without her.
Sofia nods quickly. “Like Princess Aurora.”
I lean to the side to catch her brown eyes. “You sure know a lot about the princesses all of a sudden.”
She tilts her head like a little expert. “Mamma put Disney plus in my bedroom to help me sleep.”
“Is that so?” I bite back a grin.
“Yes. I know all the princesses.”
I pinch her little chin. “Who’s your favorite?”
“Well…” She exhales heavily. “Elena looks the most like me. She likes the ocean and adventures and she has a sister named Isabel… but she doesn’t have a movie.”
Not going to lie, I’m not familiar with Elena, but I wasn’t a princess type of girl. “I bet she gets one.”
“You’re babysitting now?” Beto’s return interrupts our conversation. “Where’s Valeria?”
Sofia shrinks against my chest, and I cut my eyes at him. “Spending time with family isn’t babysitting.”
“Seamstress… babysitter… waitress…” He shakes his head. “My sister doesn’t do these things.”
My littlest cousin’s arm goes around my waist as if she’s trying to hide, which pisses me off. “Your sister does what she wants. Don’t you have anything better to do than stalk around here insulting people?”
“I haven’t insulted anyone. Where’s Valeria?”
“She went to get Lola to try on her dress. Why?”
“We need to discuss parking for the party, food, drinks. What is this?” He’s