Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“Ooh, Tia has a boyfriend,” the girl sings.
And just like that, it’s out in the open.
“Let’s have a seat and get to know one another,” Xavier says, sounding like he takes his position as the man of the family seriously. He gestures to a chair at the table and I sit, obedient for Dani’s sake.
She plants a kiss on my cheek and whispers in my ear, “Good luck.”
I’m not surprised when Mrs. Becerra, Dani, and Mara start prepping lunch while Mr. Becerra, Xavier, and I sit at the table, since she told me that’s their usual pecking order, but it’s still hard to watch her work while I sit here. I do have another job, though, even if it’s not helping to prepare the meal.
My job is to win over Dani’s family to my side. Because for all her bravado about them, Dani loves her family dearly and she would never seriously date someone they don’t approve of.
“What was it you do again?” Xavier asks.
“Install pools,” I answer, grinning because I know what he’s really asking, but I’m gonna make him work for it.
“Hmm, hard work, I imagine. Dirty, sweaty, hard work,” he surmises, and I wonder if he knows that his nose is crinkled in distaste.
I nod. “Yep, I don’t mind, though. I enjoy it. You sell cars, right?”
He puffs out his chest proudly. “Yes, top salesman of the quarter this month,” he announces.
“Oh, congratulations, mijo!” Mrs. Becerra interrupts to say, and Mara plants a quick kiss to Xavier’s cheek as she sets a stack of plates on the table.
“I’ll get a bonus check so I think we’re going to take the kids to the beach this summer,” he brags. “Don’t guess you get sales bonuses with pools, do you?” he teases, looking down his nose at me.
I could continue being intentionally obtuse to what he’s asking, but there’s no point in it. I understand, as best as I can, what security and stability means to Dani and her family, so there’s no point in beating around the bush. Especially when this isn’t a dick-measuring contest between bros but a very real feast or famine situation for them, and they want to ensure that Dani, who they love dearly, won’t be dragged down by an anchor of a loser.
So I swallow my own pride and speak bluntly.
“Why don’t we cut to the chase?” I offer. “Dani doesn’t need a guy who can take care of her or afford her because she’s doing great on her own, but if you’re worried, yes, I can. I own my pool company, Dani has been to my house, and if you want, I can bring you my tax return from last year. So are we good?”
Dani’s lips are pressed into a thin line as she fights hard to keep from laughing.
Her parents look glad to have their concerns addressed.
Xavier sputters but then says, “Make it three years of tax returns.”
Dani steps forward at that. “Enough. You want to see his bank balance too, Zave? You’re being ridiculous. And if you’re gonna be rude, we’ll just go.”
“Xavier,” Mara hisses, and he turns scolded eyes to her like he doesn’t know what he did to warrant his sister and his wife’s rebuff.
“The early years of a business are tough,” Mr. Becerra says, his voice scratchy sounding. “It takes a lot out of a man and gives back very little.” He seems to be talking from experience with the restaurant, and I realize that his concerns have not been fully addressed. “I think it’s what made me so sick, so fast, and why I told this one” —he jerks his head toward Dani— “to do something else. Anything else." Dani grits her teeth, and I can virtually feel her swallowing down her hurt feelings over what her father’s saying, but he keeps talking, unaware.
“I love her so much and didn’t want her to be locked into that struggle the way I was. But she’s stubborn and does what she wants, of course.” He waves a hand like ‘what are you gonna do’ but gives Dani a pride-filled smile, and I can see her starting to thaw a bit. “And like I feared, it consumes her, running her ragged, which worries me.” He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, and the sigh he lets out seems to be more from the small amount of activity than anything else. “I just wish for my daughter to have a freedom I never had and couldn’t give her. I dream of a life for her without the constant stress of money worries, but if you are also a business owner, that responsibility will hang heavy over you both. It will be a hard life. Are you ready for that?”
“Papa,” Dani whispers, her hands over her mouth. But she comes to his side, wrapping her arms around his frail shoulders. “I’m fine. My business is doing well. You don’t need to worry about me.”