“She thinks the place is haunted and that’s why we’ve been so quick to seal the deal,” he tells his sister, barely stifling a laugh. When he sobers up, they exchange a long look.
These two.
“Are you guys twins? Because I swear you look like you’re trying to speak some secret twin code here.”
They glance at me briefly, but then they go back to their conversation.
“Where did she get that from? Did you start shelling out old legends?” she quips.
“No, I didn’t. She got the idea when we drove past those ghost tours.”
“Ahhhh.” She walks closer to me and takes my hands in hers. “Ines, honey. This place is not haunted, not even a little bit. I’d charge more money for it if that were the case, trust me. There’s a bunch of weirdos out there who’d do anything for a supernatural experience. No, we’re just excited because it took me forever to get this place in the condition it is right now. My father—our father—used it as a storage room for more than two decades. Twenty years, Ines,” she says, sounding the last two words out slowly. “It was a mess of biblical proportions. I’m just happy to have it all fixed up, that’s all. Everything should work perfectly. If there are any problems with the plumbing, that’s on my husband.” She gestures. “But it’s nothing we can’t fix quickly.”
“Okay,” I say, taken aback by her intensity.
“Do you believe me?” she asks in a tone so earnest, I almost feel bad for doubting her.
“I do.”
“I’m just…excited to have my very first tenant, that’s all,” she says with a shrug and smiles at me, but I don’t miss the look and the subtle shrug she exchanges with her brother.
“Here’s my card with all of my contact information. If you need anything, anything at all, call me or text me.”
Chapter Six
Lupe hugs me again before saying goodbye. I thank Esteban and because saying goodbye to him with a handshake feels too impersonal, I attempt a friendly hug. However, my clumsy, casual hug turns into something else when he wraps his arms around me. It’s unexpected, but not completely unwelcome, and the same strange pull I’ve felt toward him all night makes a reappearance, overwhelming me.
It’s incredibly hard to let go of him.
Warmth spreads across my chest and my blood runs faster in my veins. I feel safe in his arms, the arms of a stranger. My emotions make me feel even more confused.
I try to justify them by telling myself that Esteban was right there with me in my worst time, and that’s why we have this strange connection. We stare at each other for a few more seconds, both in a daze, until Lupe tells us she needs to get back home.
She and Esteban leave and I’m finally alone with my thoughts. I decide not to dwell on their weird exchanges between brother and sister and what might be behind them. Instead, I try to focus on the fact that in no time at all, I found the most adorable place to stay.
There’s a full-size bed pushed in a corner of the room with white linens and a white blanket that looks like one my mom had; one of the few items of her dowry chest that she took with her when she moved to the United States. It’s a white, old-fashioned eyelet blanket, the type they don't make anymore. My mom’s blanket is stashed away in the linen closet of our home in LA. I hardly ever use it, because Brad claimed it didn’t go with the modern décor of our house, and it was “too frilly” for him.
Now that I’m alone, I can’t help but think about all the little things I let him get away with over the years, since I had to constantly compromise to make him happy. I swallow past the bitterness in my throat caused by my bad memories of Brad and focus on exploring my temporary home. The little kitchenette opposite the bed is a light pine color. There’s a small stove, a sink, a medium-size fridge. I open the cabinets, noticing that there are plenty of pots and pans and utensils. Next to the bed there’s a small desk, and I already have the idea to move it in front of the big window. The bathroom is at the very end of the studio apartment. In the right corner there’s a worn brown leather armchair and a vibrant throw blanket with a geometric, Southwest-inspired pattern draped across it.
I keep myself busy by looking at my new space, but unfortunately, the events of the evening catch up with me. I collapse on the full-size bed, overcome with emptiness.
How did I end up here? How did things get so bad that I made such a drastic decision in such a short time? I turn off the AC and open the floor-to-ceiling window that leads to that little balcony I saw in the pictures. Thankfully, there’s a mosquito net.
The air is fresh and crisp, without a trace of humidity. I can see the faint outline of the mountains even in the darkness and a few stars up in the sky.
A sense of calm runs through me. This is just what I need, I tell myself.
However, doubt creeps inside. I might have been too impulsive. I check my phone and there are no messages from Brad.
He’s always been one to hold a grudge. Whenever we fought, it took days to even start talking to each other again and get over an argument.
I decide to text Lily, my best friend from LA who’s never been much of a Brad supporter. At best, she tolerated him, but recently she’d let me know that she thought I deserved better. Of course, at the time I got a bit defensive, but now I’m starting to see things in a different light. It’s strange how sometimes your friends know what’s best for you way before you’re ready to make the necessary changes in your life.
* * *
Me: Hey. I need to talk to you about something. It’s important. Are you around?
The phone rings almost immediately with the request to FaceTime, and I see her name flash across the screen. It’s been a hell of a day, but just seeing that she’s calling me brings a smile to my face. I shut the window and turn the light on, so she can see me.
“What uuuup?” Lily asks, cheerful. She’s sitting on her couch and has a drink in hand. It’s her routine when she gets home from her stressful PR job in downtown LA. “Where are you, by the way? Weren’t you spending a few days in New Mexico?”
“I am…and actually, it looks like I might be spending a little more time in New Mexico than I originally thought.” My bottom lip quivers, and the strength and resolve I had until now disappears. I start crying. At first it’s just a few whimpers, but when Lily asks what happened, my crying turns into full-on sobbing.
“Honey, what’s wrong? Is it Brad? I’m going to kick his ass!” Lily says.
Stuttering, I tell her, “I-I think I left him. Tonight. I-I don’t know what came over me. I was so sick of his behavior. I couldn’t take it anymore.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. I know that the more I cry and get upset, the more I’ll be unable to speak.
“Oh, Ines. Don’t cry, baby. Do you need me to come out there? Do I need to kick his ass? Where are you? Is he with you? Is he gone?”
“He went back to LA. He said he’s going to send me the divorce papers.”
“Is that what you want?”
“I think so. I mean, it all happened so fast. Lily, I don’t know what I’m doing. He’s been an ass the entire time we’ve been here and I’m just sick of him.” I sniffle.
She frowns, the corners of her mouth pointing down. “I’m sorry, darling. I’m not going to lie to you. You know what I think of him. I don’t hate him, but I don’t think he’s the best husband. And I want the best for you, you know? You’ve been through so much in your life already and deserve someone who makes you happy. I know your mother would agree with me if she were still alive. Maybe this is a good thing after all. You need a plan. Do you want to brainstorm about what you should do next?”
After a few minutes of letting it all out, I’m finally able to calm down, and I tell Lily all about how it went down with Brad. I tell her all about the handsome and mysterious Esteban and his sister, Lupe, and I even give her a tour of my new apartment.
My clients knew I was taking a few days off, but thankfully I have my laptop and I can still work on the assignments
I have to complete. I will miss my desktop Mac, but for the time being, the laptop will have to do.
When my phone alerts me that the battery is low, Lily and I say our goodbyes but she makes me promise to call her tomorrow morning.
Once again, I wonder if there’s even a remote chance to fix things between Brad and me, and sadly, I can’t find one good reason to stay. Sure, I will miss my home, I’ll miss the comfortable life I had, but I don’t feel an ounce of despair when I think about my life without Brad. I realize I’d become complacent in my marriage for fear of starting over, of letting go.
It might have taken me a while to get here, but I’m beginning to think that maybe starting over isn’t so bad after all.
After crying so much on the phone, my throat is parched. I should have stopped somewhere for water, but I didn’t think about what I might need. I was too engrossed by the magnetism of Esteban and Lupe’s liveliness.
Once again, I wonder what was up with them.
I fish for the portable charger inside my purse and connect it to my phone. I take a credit card, a few dollars, and the keys to the place with me. Locking the door to my newfound freedom, I venture out on my own.
Chapter Seven
It takes me a few seconds to realize where I am. The room is inundated with sunlight and I’m hot. I push the covers off me and look around for the AC unit remote, lowering the temp to sixty-seven degrees. Just for a while, to cool the room. I’m all for conservation of energy, but right now I’m burning up.
Last night, I left the apartment and found a rental bicycle through the local bike rental app. Brad and I had used them several times during our stay. I biked to the nearest Walgreens and loaded up on water and a few snacks. I also loaded up on essentials like shampoo and body wash. I bought myself a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Brownie Batter Core and ate the whole damn thing on the balcony at midnight.
It was my fuck you to Brad in lieu of alcohol, for implying I should lose weight on more than one occasion during our marriage.
The universe must have listened to me, because as I ruminated over my misfortunes, I saw a shooting star and promptly made a wish.
My throat feels dry again, and I reach for the bottle of water by my bed.
I turn around and sit up against the wall, stretching my legs. I reach for my phone and check the time; it’s already 10:30 in the morning. I switch the phone on from airplane mode, and I wait to see if any messages pop up.
Nothing from Brad. He was supposed to go back to work this morning.
Still, if he wanted to talk to me, he could have messaged me.
I deserve more than someone who holds onto his pride like he does.
I take a shower and get dressed. The bathroom is tiny, but it has a small, shorter- and deeper-than-average tub, and I can’t really complain. Opening the window, I take in the view that’s the best-selling point of this apartment.
I was already falling in love with this place last night, but now I know there is no going back. I might never want to leave. I look at the mountains, at the perfect blue sky, and for the first time in a long time, I feel at home. Laughing to myself, I think how I’m miles and miles away from home, but I’m cozy and comfortable in this tiny space that’s all my own.
Good morning, Albuquerque.
Closing my eyes, I try to feel even just a twinge of remorse for not going back to LA. I imagine the traffic, the smog, the noise. There’s nothing.
When I open my eyes again, everything about this view makes me happy. I’m not filled with despair. I’m alone, but loneliness hasn’t found me.
I make a pot of coffee with the ground beans I bought at the convenience store last night, and sit down to fire up my laptop.
That’s when I realize I don’t know if I have Wi-Fi access.
I pull out the ad I got at Esteban’s restaurant last night, trying to see if Wi-Fi is even listed as one of the amenities.
Phew, it is.
I look around to see if there’s any booklet with details and info about my new apartment’s amenities.
Then, I remember that Lupe had just listed my cozy home for rent, and there might have been a few things she forgot to mention, as well as things I forgot to ask her.
I decide to head downstairs and talk to Lupe.
Also, I need to make sure it’s a good connection, otherwise I won’t be able to get any work done. I might have to go to a café. And if I do stay, I might have to pay for a more reliable service for my line of work.
I walk through the courtyard, admiring the building on the other side of Lupe’s property. Pots containing geraniums and other plants are scattered around the perimeter of the buildings.
When I cross the threshold of the shop, I hear Lupe chatting animatedly with someone, but I can’t see her. I walk around and take a turn in the L-shaped store, spotting her and Esteban in a corner of the shop. I can’t make out what she’s saying, but I see her frown with her finger pointed at him. I wonder what they could be arguing about.
“Hello.” I hesitate, wondering if I should come back later. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” I say as they both turn toward me, eyes wide, as if they’ve been caught red-handed.
Again.
Lupe presses her lips together and grumbles, eyeing her brother as if he’s getting on her nerves. She pushes him away playfully. Esteban doesn’t notice, and doesn’t even move at Lupe’s shove, eyes fixed on me.
I might as well be naked, stripped by the intensity with which he’s looking at me.
Once again, I know his scrutiny should bother me, and yet, it doesn’t.
My hair is down, scattered in loose waves on my shoulders and back, still partly wet from the shower. I’m wearing one of the few items of clothing I have here with me, a red sundress with tiny flowers and thick straps that form knots on my shoulders.
His wild eyes roam my body and the way he appraises me makes me shiver. Blood rushes to my cheeks and I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. Goose bumps cover my body, causing my nipples to harden. The contact of my skin against the fabric of my dress reminds me I don’t have a bra on. I fight the impulse to cross my arms and cover myself, because that would probably only attract focus to my décolleté. I wait for him to break eye contact, but he doesn’t look away, as if he’s completely hypnotized by my presence. He can’t take his eyes off me and I can’t recall if a man has ever looked at me the way Esteban does. He studies me like I’m the center of the universe.
He looks at me like I’m the most magical, beautiful creature, holding the secret to eternal happiness. My blush deepens, and the secret pleasure I take from his gaze increases. I do find it strange just how much it doesn’t bother me. The butterflies return once more, stirring in my belly.
Why doesn’t it bother me that he’s staring at me like he wants to eat me? Why does it make me feel happy and all warm and fuzzy inside instead?
“I can come back later. I’m sorry to interrupt,” I tell them, running a hand through my wet hair and realizing I don’t have any makeup on. I should have at least checked my appearance before coming downstairs, but I didn’t consider the possibility of seeing him this morning. Why do you even care? a voice inside me asks.
“You didn’t interrupt anything,” Lupe says. “Esteban was just leaving.”
“Oh,” I reply, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.
“Yeah, I was.” He glares at his sister. “I wanted to check and see how you were doing. Lupe said we should leave you alone. I didn’t agree,” he says, giving his sister another brief, loaded look, shoving his hand in the pockets of his jeans. His jeans are black like the ones he wore yesterday, but he’s wearing a white tee that clings to his torso and reveals much more of his build than the button-down he had on last night.
I can’t help but notice his strong biceps and his dark skin contrasting with the white of the tee. He brushes his hair away from his forehead and I take a few steps closer.
He’s strikingly beautiful. Every time I think
how attractive he is, I’m attacked by a wave of guilt, because I realize that men should be the last thing on my mind right now.
Somehow, I can’t stop gawking at him and I can’t deny he’s beyond handsome. I try to downplay it in my head, justifying my mild obsession by telling myself that his attractiveness is something no one could deny.
“I’m doing okay. Thank you. Thank you both for your help last night. I was about to start working, but I forgot to ask Lupe for the Wi-Fi password.”
“Oh, you’re right. That was silly of me. Wait here, I’ll get it for you.”
Esteban and I are left alone in the corner of the store where the walls are covered with strands and strands of necklaces made of all kinds of different stones. There are strands of topaz, turquoise, lapis, jade, and opal.
I step closer to Esteban and run my fingers down a particularly beautiful row of lapis beads. I can hear Lupe rummaging around the counter on the other side, opening and closing drawers, looking for the Wi-Fi password, while all Esteban and I manage to do is study each other without saying a word. His face is so unique and beautiful, a mix of Hispanic with maybe a bit of Native American traits, distinguished and proud. His green eyes are a brighter green this morning, and the gold specks in them are easier to see, reminding me of a feral cat.
“You said you were about to start working?”
His words bring me out of my daze, and I glance briefly at his lips before meeting his eyes.
There are only a few inches between us, and I need to fight the strange magnetic pull to get closer to him. What’s happening to me?
“Yes. I was.”
“What do you do? I don’t think we ever talked about that last night.”
“You’re right, we didn’t get a chance. I’m a freelance graphic designer. I’m one of those annoying people who can work pretty much anywhere with a computer and an internet connection,” I say with a self-deprecating eye roll.
Enchanted By You Page 5