Free Alejandro by Renee LaRuse

way.
    “Look at what he sent me.” Veronica shoved her cell phone at her.
    Brooke gasped and came to a halt. The stroller continued rolling forward until Veronica reached out and grabbed the handle. “Roses!” Brooke squealed, holding the screen an inch from her face to study the picture. “And those chocolates are your favorites! Oh, he’s gooood.” Brooke dropped her smile and tossed the phone back to her. “Don’t fall for it.” She started walking again.
    Veronica saved her phone from plummeting to the sidewalk. “I can’t. Every time he calls now, I feel like a drug addict, sitting on the floor in the corner of the room, crying and reciting the Serenity Prayer.”
    Brooke slowed her pace considerably. “It’s that bad?”
    “Almost.” Veronica avoided looking at Brooke’s shocked and concerned expression.
    “I’m sorry, Nica. I had no idea.”
    “I didn’t tell anyone. It’s embarrassing. I have no idea what he looks like, yet my heart feels so sure that he’s everything I need.”
    “Okay. Honestly, I thought you latched onto that guy because of what happened with Quincy. But now I see that your heart is really in this. You have to meet this guy and put yourself out of all this misery.”
    “The last time I suggested we meet, he disappeared for two weeks.”
    “This time you’ll be in control of the situation.” Brooke said. “Because this time you won’t ask him to meet you, you’re gonna tell him to meet you. Give him an ultimatum . I’m married. I know what I’m talkin’ about.”
     
    ***
    Veronica braced herself. “Hello?”
    “Veronica?” He exhaled a weary sigh. “I’m so happy to hear your voice. How are you?”
    His voice triggered instantaneous tears. She kept her voice steady. “Fine. How are you?”
    “I’ve had better days. There’s so much I want to tell you. Did you like your flowers?”
    “They were nice,” she said evenly. “What is it that you want to tell me?”
    “The night we last spoke with each other, my... My grandfather passed on.”
    She gasped audibly. His grandfather was his hero. “Oh my God. Tu abuelo ? I didn’t know. Alejandro, I’m so, so sorry. I should’ve answered your calls.”
    “Shh, it’s okay, mi amor . I should have called you sooner but I had so many responsibilities to take care of and emotions to process. My family is no longer the same.”
    “I’m here for you, if you need to talk.”
    “Thank you. You are so sweet and caring. I’m blessed to know you, bella . One day I will talk about what’s going on in my family but not tonight. I want to listen to you tonight.”
    Aww, he’s so sweet to me. How was she supposed to give an ultimatum to a grieving man? But she didn’t want Brooke to slap her later. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
    “You can tell me anything.”
    She gulped. “I know that the last few weeks have been very rough on you. I can’t imagine what you’ve been feeling. I wish I was there to comfort you, because I care so much about you even though we’ve never met in person.”
    “My feelings are strong for you as well. I hope you know that.”
    “Alejandro, I can’t take it anymore, not seeing you. If I can’t see you in a week’s time or less, then... you’ll lose me. Seven days. I can’t waste anymore of my life with my heart on hold. A picture will not be enough. I need a face to face meeting.”
    “I’m so busy these days, Veronica. I only have a week?”
    Veronica was silent. His reluctance irritated her. “Seven days.”
    “I’ll make it happen,” he said finally. “I’ll make time to be in San Diego with you. I promise.”
     
    ***
     
    Veronica Ferris was seated at a table on an outdoor patio of the Hotel Del Coronado with her heart racing and her feet getting ashier by the minute. She hadn’t lotioned them enough and now she couldn’t stop looking down at her toes and cursing at herself. The hotel was a classy establishment but Veronica felt overdressed now