chapter 37

"That's who I'm named after? Did you know that?"

Yes, Leo himself has told me this fact many times. "I did know that. You're very lucky to be named after such a good man." Marisol and Isabella both have fond memories of Aurelio, who passed away in his fifties from a heart attack. He worked himself to death for the good of the family. And I understand why. I would do the same if I wasn't so fortunate. "Listen, you should know this in case you ever... um... love someone. But when you love them so much and you want to marry them –"

"You're going to marry mama?!"

"Let me finish, kiddo."

"Sorry, sorry."

I smile to myself, focusing on the open road, the desert rolling by. "When a man wants to marry a woman, he is supposed to ask her parents for permission. And you know I love your mother very much, so I asked Abuela and she said yes, on one condition."

"What is it?"

"That I ask you too. Because you were the man of the house before I came along."

Leo puffs his chest and pouts his lips. "I am