Inner Diva by Laurie Larsen Read Free Book Online

sight of her mentor, Luisa dove into a
hug and Monica crouched down to receive the full power of his
sister’s enthusiasm. He observed from the table. The two hugged
with ferocity like long-lost cousins reunited. He watched his
sister a moment, then he turned his gaze to Monica.
    She closed her eyes and a peaceful smile
played on her lips. Her nose rested in Luisa’s hair and he could
tell she was breathing in the child’s scent. As he watched her soak
up the hug, he imagined holding her himself while she closed her
eyes and went breathless from pressing her body against his. He
would brush his lips against that soft smile, just to see how she
would taste. How she would use those beautiful, full lips on
his.
    The girls parted and he noticed with chagrin
how his own body reacted to his daydream. He’d have to rein in his
imagination for a few minutes before he could stand and greet her.
Make a real effort to think about something different. Like an ugly
old man. And a bucket of cold water.
    “Monica’s here, Carlos.” Luisa had brought
her over and they both stood in front of him, looking at him,
waiting for some sort of reaction.
    “Yeah, hi.” A little brusque, sure, but under
the circumstances he’d done well to get even those two syllables
out. But his glimpse of Monica’s hurt expression as she turned away
gave him a little stab.
    As Luisa led Monica to her room, he could
hear her telling Monica about homework and Monica’s pleased voice
in response.
    He sighed and took his empty plate to the
kitchen. A few minutes later, Monica and Luisa returned to the
table where Luisa pulled out a single math worksheet, partially
completed. Returning to the dining room, he approached Monica. She
kept her attention glued on Luisa. When he stood close enough to
touch her and she still avoided acknowledging him, he put a hand on
her shoulder.
    A shudder ripped through her and she yanked
her gaze in his direction, surprise on her face.
    “Sorry about that,” he began, but she
interrupted him before he could continue.
    “About what?” Her alarm at his contact was
evident, and Carlos realized he’d now touched her twice and she’d
had the same reaction both times.
    When he touched her in reality, she shuddered
with alarm. In his daydreams, she shuddered with pleasure.
    “I was rude when you came in. I didn’t mean
to be. Let me try it again. Hello, Monica.”
    She scrutinized his face, giving him a look
of confusion. Then, her lips curved up. “Hello, Carlos.”
    His own smile came naturally. “How was your
day today?”
    She seemed to falter. “You don’t want to
know.”
    “I don’t?” If she intended it as a jab, he
probably deserved it. “Actually, I do. Bad day?”
    She studied him as he slid into the chair
beside her so she wouldn’t have to twist her neck to see him.
“Yeah. You could say that.”
    “You’re some sort of executive, aren’t you?”
He bet however bad a day could get while sitting in an office
didn’t come close to a bad day at his job.
    She snorted. “An executive? What gave you
that idea?”
    He considered the question. “I heard you had
a good job and I figured because you’re so smart and all, you must
be the boss.”
    Luisa looked up from her paper. “Monica’s
very smart. She knows all the answers to my homework.”
    Monica reached over and ruffled her hair.
“Knowing all the answers to fifth grade homework doesn’t
necessarily make me smart. And no, I’m definitely not an
executive.”
    Carlos shrugged. “So what do you do?”
    “On days like today, I mainly just screw up.”
She gave a sad smile before turning back to Luisa.
    “I don’t believe that,” he persisted, and he
earned another surprised look from her.
    “I’m done! Time for the park, Monica?” Luisa
brandished her paper and held it high in the air. Monica grabbed it
and glanced over the answers. She held up her hand, which Luisa
slapped.
    “Great job. Sure, it’s time to play.” She
turned to him.