Page 93 of Till Death Do Us Part

Garnering my courage, I said, “If dinner isn’t ready, I’d love to see more of your home.”

“It will be soon.” Gerardo looked at his watch. “A few minutes.”

I stood. “Perfect, Liliana would you like to show me around?”

Her frightened eyes went to Gerardo’s. The muscles in his cheeks pulled tight and his beady dark eyes came my way. Finally, he turned to Liliana and nodded. She stood. “We can start this way.”

I could barely hear her meek voice as we walked back toward the foyer and then turned right, into an opulent living room. “This is lovely. Did you decorate?”

“Oh no. Ximena, Gerardo’s first wife. She was much better at that than I am.”

“Did Ximena also play the piano?” I asked.

Liliana nodded. “I’m trying, but” —she lowered her head— “I’m not very good.”

“Did you want to take lessons?”

She nodded faster as her cheeks paled. “Yes.”

I called bullshit.

Forcing a smile, I walked toward the back windows. Beyond the glass and a story below was a large swimming pool. “That is big. You could swim laps.”

“Sí.” She shook her head. “Sorry. Yes, my husband swims every morning.”

Cautiously, I glanced toward the front room where we’d left our husbands and spoke low. “Liliana, forgive me if I’m being forward, but as a recent bride myself, I’m finding myself lonely when Aléjandro is working. I suppose Gerardo also works long hours.”

She nodded.

“Maybe we could exchange phone numbers and talk. I think we are going through many of the same things. It’s always nice to have a friend to talk to.”

By her expression, you would think I asked her the impossible. “I would need to ask Gerardo.”

“To share your phone number?” I inquired.

“I have friends. He’s…I’m…” Her voice trailed away.

I’d come prepared. I pulled a small paper from my pocket. “Take this. It’s my number. Gerardo reminds me of my first husband, and I remember when I wished for someone to talk to,reallytalk. Thankfully, I had my cousin.”

Her eyes met mine. “Could your cousin help?”

“No, but she listened and that was a help. In hindsight, I misjudged the people who may have been able to help. I should have talked to them.”

Liliana looked down at the paper in her hands and back up, her voice was barely audible. “No one can help.”

“I’m the wife of Aléjandro Roríguez.”

“But you’re not cartel.” She looked down and back up. “I don’t think Gerardo would approve.”

“My last name is still Roríguez. Don’t underestimate me.” I forced a smile. “No pressure, Liliana. I think you have enough of that. Just remember that I’m here.”

At the sound of our husbands’ voices, she stuffed the paper into her pocket and began nervously describing the landscaping around the pool.

“Of course, the gardeners do the work, but the succulents and other drought-tolerant plants are…”

ChapterTwenty-Five

Mia