Falling with Grace - Page 163

“More than that. He wanted to attend the dinner party. He wasmachismo.”

“How old was he then?”

“Only four.” Mamá squeezed her brows together. “Or maybe he was six. I can’t remember.” Sadness creased her forehead, and her smile turned upside down.

I folded my arms over my chest, the aroma ofPozoleenveloping me in the kitchen. Mamá had a knack for preparing it—her remedy for when I fell ill or as the days turned cold, although today was Alphonse’s cooking. Those moments were like echoes from a time that had slipped away unnoticed.

“I was six, Mamá.”

Grace jumped and spun around.

“I’m going to rest now.” Mamá patted Grace’s hand.

She stood with a nod, then inched past me through the door.

My arm lashed out around her waist, drawing her damp, chlorine-scented hair into my nose. “Meet me for a drink in thirty minutes?”

Her tongue darted across her lips as they parted, her pupils dilating. “Okay.”

I kissed the crown of her head and stepped into Mamá’s room, my arm slipping from her waist. “You’re filling her head with stories of a boy who no longer exists.” I sat in Grace’s abandoned seat.

“He’s still there.” She gave a half smile. “You just don’t let him out very often.”

I scoffed as I examined the knot on her forehead and the bandage beneath it courtesy of Dr. Navarro. “I’m afraid he’s lost for good.”

Mamá’s eyes closed, her hand squeezing mine. “He’s sitting here right now.”

My heart twisted as she cradled her hand over her belly, releasing a prolonged sigh. Her shoulders sagged.

“Sleep, Mamá.” I leaned over, pressing my lips to her delicate knuckles, then placed her hand besidethe other.

I eased back in my chair, watching Mamá’s chest rise and fall with each slow breath. Strength resonated in her, much like Grace. That could explain why Grace gravitated towards Mamá—perhaps she recognized a shared strength, will, and hardheadedness between them.

Moving through the corridors, I strolled back into my office, where Javier remained seated, hands clasped behind his head.

He cast a sidelong glance at me. “Are you sure about this?”

I nodded. “I see no other way.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

A grim smile played on my lips. “Games are my specialty. Just ask Charity.” Sinking into my desk chair, I reclined. “Aligning the pieces in all the right places is what I do.”

The computer screen popped up with a message that someone was waiting in the meeting room. “And the final pawn just arrived.”

Javier leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Are you going to answer it?”

I raised a brow, my lips tugging upward as I checked my watch. “Let him sweat for three more minutes.”

“And if she’s early?”

“She won’t be.”

“What if she’s late?”

I gave a slow shake, my steepled fingers dimpling my lower lip. “She won’t be.”

A heavy tension thickened the air as I stared at the screen’s pop-up, my fingers itching to accept the meeting.