Thank you all the love for the story!


I was tired as fuck the next day, but I made it. I gave zero effort showing up in jeans and a plain t shirt. My hair was the messiest bun on top of my head and I was in my glasses because I was not about to fight with contact lenses. The women who ordered all the pastries loved them. I had them all prepared and ready on time. I was also thankful I had picked a coffee shop for the caffeine. I was finishing up when the doorbell rang out. I looked up to see the man that Cruz had met with yesterday. I still didn't have the greatest feeling about him, but he looked less intimidating today. He was in dark jeans and a black t-shirt.

"Hola." I said as he looked around.

"Can I get a cafe con leche?" He asked me and I rang him up for one. I made it and he took it. He tried it and smiled... he must have liked it.

"You are related to Cruz?" He asked me.

"I am." I said and he nodded.

"You got the looks in the family." He said and I had to bit my bottom lip to stop myself from laughing. Cruz always thought he was the hot one. He smirked.

"Thank you...?" I asked him.

"Santos." He said and I nodded.

"I can call you hermosa... or...?" He asked me and I was surprised at how forward he was being.

"Isabella." I said and he smiled at me.

"I will see you again, Isabella." He said and left. I stood there for a second and thought maybe I was wrong about him. I cleaned up and left early for the day.

I got home and was walking to my front door when I saw something sitting against it. It was a large envelope with my name. I unlocked the door and opened it.

6pm at Eter. See you tonight ~ Damien

I leaned my head on the counter and knew I was fucked if he wanted to meet tonight. My family wanted me to stay away from him and I didn't know what else I needed to do.

I called Melissa. She always gave me good advice. I realized, as it was ringing,I had gone a date with her brother and that might not be the best thing to ask her. I wish my mom was still around. I wanted to talk to her. I was actually relieved that Melissa didn't answer. I knew what I needed to do.

I walked the familiar path and stopped in front of the headstone I had visited so many times. I had lost my mom when I was younger and now there were so many things I could ask her. I sat down and stared at it.

"I miss you, Mom." I said as I sat there. I told her how everything was going. I told her how Dad was and how Cruz had been. I felt better after getting everything out and I remembered her always telling me do what felt right. I found it funny that a few weeks ago I had zero prospects and now I had gone on a date, an ex had come back, and one of my brother's contacts was flirting with me. I had no idea what was going on... maybe the world was ending.

I went back home and did what felt right. I walked into Eter at 6pm. I was in a navy blue asymmetrical dress with nude pumps. My hair was pulled half back and lightly curled, and my make up was light. I figured if Damien wanted to meet I would get some answers from years ago, but I was going to look good doing it. I wanted him to see what he was missing out on.

Damien was waiting for me at the door and gave his name. He offered me his arm as we were seated. The place was outdoors and the view was beautiful. We ordered drinks and I could help but steal glances as Damien. He was in a dark purple button down and black pants. He had his braids pulled back and he looked nice.

"You look beautiful as always." he said and I smiled at him.

"You don't look bad yourself." I said and he chuckled.

"What are you doing here, Damien?" I finally asked him.

"Drinking with a beautiful woman." he said and I chuckled because he hadn't even lost an ounce of his charm or wit.

"Not what I meant." I said and he smirked.

"I know, carino... I am back for family. I told you that." he said and I shook my head as I took a sip of my drink.

"I meant with me." I said and he sighed.

"I am trying to make up for a stupid mistake from my past." he said and I nodded.

"And you think coming back, giving me flowers, taking me for drinks, and complimenting me is going to erase all that pain?" I asked him very pointedly. I knew that when he left I was still in my father's shadow. Cruz was very much in change, I didn't have my shop, and I was still doing what I was told... times had changed.

"I'm glad to see you are looking out for yourself now." he said and I nodded.

"Times have changed, D. You left and I realized I had to because Dad would have married me off to anyone who asked nicely." I said and he looked down.

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I was being selfish." he said and I nodded.

"Thank you, you were." I said and he looked surprised that I didn't agreed with him, but instead I took the apology. I also wanted him to know that I wasn't going to just let him walk back in like everything was fine or we were going to go back to normal.

"Did you think that you were going to come back, help out Finn, and I was just going to be back on your arm?" I asked him and he pursed his lips. He had seen this side of me when we were dating, but it wasn't often.

"I at least thought you would be open to the idea." he said.

"So, you thought that I am so whatever that I wouldn't have a boyfriend, and you could just come back to get me back? Wow." I said and he looked surprised at what I had just said, but it was kind of what he had just admitted.

"I didn't mean it like that... I mean..." he said and I stopped him.

"Damien, I am glad you are back. It's nice to see you. Thank you for the flowers, and the answers. I will pay for my drink, but I am actually talking to someone. I would like to sat that we could be friends, but who knows." I said as I took out some money and put it down. I kissed his cheek and left him sitting there much like he had left me sitting there years ago when he left. I would like to say that was the last time I would see Damien, but I knew that it wouldn't be.

I pulled out my phone and texted Melissa if she wanted to get a drink. She was out with Carlito, her husband, and another friend. She invited me to meet them, and since I looked good I headed over there. I wasn't going to let this outfit go to waste.

Carlito POV

I was sitting with Melissa, my brother in law, and another one of his friends when Isabella walked into the restaurant. She looked beautiful. Melissa waved her over, and I quickly pulled a chair out for her. She sat beside me and smiled at me. She ordered a drink.

"Where were you?" Melissa asked her.

"An old friend came around and wanted to meet for drinks. I realized I didn't want them as a friend anyone." she said as she reached over and shyly took my hand. I felt my smile get bigger as I gave her hand a small brought her drink as we all sat and talked.

"Te ves hermosa hoy." I whispered in her ear and she smiled at me.

"Gracias." she said.

We sat there for awhile until she had to leave since she worked tomorrow. I told them to add her drink to my tab, and walked her to her car.

"Thanks for coming." I said and she smiled at me.

"I was hoping I wasn't interfering." she said and I waved her off.

"Nah, I was here for Mel. I'm glad you showed up." I said and she smiled at me. She leaned up and placed a light kiss on my lips.

"Dinner tomorrow night?" I asked her and she nodded.

"I will text you my address." I said and she smiled at me.

She left and I went back inside. I sat back down and got another beer.

"I'm pretty sure I told you to ask her our years ago." Melissa said to me.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't ask your opinion right now." I said back and she laughed at me, but she was right. She had and now I wish that I had.