Free Chasing Marisol (Blueprint to Love Book 3) by Lauren Giordano Page B

name is Jeff-"
    She caught herself before she revealed his last name. Her father would be on the phone with his mysterious connections before she left the driveway. And Jefferson would wind up on the receiving end of an income tax audit. Or possibly a cattle prod. "He's— he works for the company building our addition at the shelter."
    "What was that company?" Luis whispered, nudging her mother. "Bridgie— do you remember?"
    Mari paused when her mother shushed him. "We've only known each other a month-"
    "You've been dating him a month and you didn't tell us?" Serafina flounced into one of the dining room chairs.
    "I met him a month ago and we've had two dates," she corrected. "And you just swung your hair into the mashed potatoes," she pointed out to her pouting sister.
    Sera frowned as she removed her ponytail from the bowl on the table. The long, strawberry blonde curls that were her pride and joy held a glob of cold potato. "Dammit."
    When her sister rose from the table and stomped to the bathroom, her older sister slid into the chair. "But that's big news for you, kiddo. You haven't dated anyone since Ni-" Caridad's voice halted mid-sentence when she realized where she was steering the conversation. No one wanted to be the one who riled up Luis Ortega. She quickly glanced at their father.
    "That's right," she quickly confirmed. "I wasn't sure how I felt about dating— and I'm still not sure." She aimed the last comment at her father. It would be safer to acknowledge the elephant in the room and move on before Papi started stewing. Two years earlier, she'd feared her father would actually hunt Nick down and hurt him. Thankfully, her ex had proved to be more of a wimp than a bully. He'd bolted for parts unknown, saving her father . . . and probably her brother, now that she thought of it, from being brought up on assault charges.
    "I'm taking things very slow." Hector reappeared with his backpack and jacket. Mari took the opportunity to edge closer to the hallway— only steps to her escape. "I would appreciate all of you remaining calm while I do this."
    "Once we meet him— we'll be calm." Manny rounded the kitchen counter, his eyes intent. "Papi— I can take a few days off work-"
    To her chagrin, her father actually nodded at her knucklehead brother. She glared at him and straightened to her full height. "I will do this on my own. Translated, that means without help from you." She waved off her brother when he would have interrupted. "And when I use the word help— I'm just trying to be nice. What I really mean is I don't want interference— no background checks. No stakeouts. No tailing me on dates. No GPS locator secretly installed on my car." 
    Caridad smirked. "Oh, Mariboo— just wait. You have no idea what they're capable of."
    ***
    "So, how's the shelter progressing?"
    Jeff set his beer on the coffee table and reluctantly turned his attention from the game on his brother's giant screen television. The last thing he wanted to think about was the shelter. Because that made him think of Marisol. And when he thought of her— it made him want to call. But he couldn't call because he'd sworn not to.
    "We received the permits Friday, which frees up Hank to head down there Tuesday. Groundbreaking is Monday— if Dad can squeeze it into his busy schedule." It was pathetic to want to hear her voice when he'd just seen her the day before. Especially since he'd decided it might be best not to see her again.
    "They've secured all the financing?" Jake grinned when his son Alex threw himself onto his shoulders. "Careful, there kid. You're getting heavy."
    "And your old man is out of shape." Jeff smiled when Alex cracked up. At age seven they were so easy to impress. All it took to be awarded favorite uncle status were knock-knock jokes and pizza. Even Hector had practically made him out to be a superhero because he'd tossed the kid a few baseballs.
    "Yeah- Mari— the shelter," he corrected, "has secured enough to get us