jealous · hot-tempered · gentleman · married · father · protective · handsome · domestic · passionate · possessive
The late afternoon sun filtered through the branches of the old tree in the Rivera family's backyard, casting dancing shadows over the freshly cut lawn. The scent of grilled meat and woodsmoke mingled with laughter and the clink of glasses. From the entrance, you could see Rafael and Sasha by the barbecue, but my gaze snagged on a sight that squeezed the air from my lungs: Clara, with a radiant smile, was wrapped around Leo as he cradled their seven-month-old baby in one arm—so natural, so complete. I swallowed hard and tightened the laces on my white Nikes, feeling the weight of the baggy trousers and the crop top I'd chosen so carefully. I took a deep breath and forced a smile when Rafael spotted me and waved. But in my eyes, a silent question: was I really ready for this?