Beat of the Heart (42 page)

AJ rolled his eyes and wiped his mouth. “So not funny.”

Abuela poked her head in the bedroom. “Alejandro, conmiga arriba.”

“Si, Abuela.”

Abby grinned at AJ before reaching over to ruffle his hair. “Look at you being all ‘yes ma’am’ to

your grandmother.”

He shook his head. “Hey, nothing pisses her off more than bad manners. Let’s go upstairs. We can

check out where Jake and I will be sleeping. Then we’ll have lunch on the rooftop.”

After we left my and Abby’s room, we followed AJ down the hallway to a door leading outside.

The steps up to the rooftop consisted of a circular, wrought iron staircase. When we got to the top, I

gasped. The entire top of the roof was actually like a floor, and it had gold tiles with mosaics of

colors swirled into them. The walls were decorated with Mexican art and porcelain. A fence ran the

length of the top. The air was cooler, and you could see for miles in the distances over the roofs.

“Wow, this is amazing.”

AJ grinned. “Even though the views would have been better from the bedroom up here, Abuela

didn’t like the idea of you on these stairs too much.” His hand reached out to graze my belly.

My heart swelled with her concern. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s sweet.”

He leaned in for a quick kiss before taking me by the hand and leading me over to the table. His

parents, along with the rest of his family, were already seated. “Right here, Mia,” Antonio suggested

patting the seat next to him.

Instead of giving his brother shit, AJ eased me down next to Antonio and then squeezed in beside

me. Abby and Jake found places at the head of the table. My eyes widened at all the food while my

stomach growled with hunger pains.

After piling on some tamales and beans and rice, I glanced down at the plate that Antonio passed

me. “What’s this?” I asked AJ.

He grimaced. “Cow tongue.”

My eyes widened. “T-Tongue?”

“It’s kinda a delicacy. They know how much I love it.”

Even though I was starving, just the mention of tongue, along with the sight and smell of it, caused

my stomach to turn. Fearing I would throw up, I clamped my hand over my mouth. I almost knocked

my chair over as I stumbled out of it before racing into the bedroom off the roof. Glancing wildly

around, I searched for the bathroom. Finally, I saw it and raced inside, slamming the door behind me.

When I got to the toilet, I heaved just twice before my stomach started to settle. I had just finished

gargling some mouthwash I’d dug out from under the sink when a gentle knock came at the door.

“Mia?” AJ questioned.

After I spit, I swiped my mouth and then reached over to unlock the door. He ducked his head in,

his brow creased with worry. “You okay?”

“My stomach is fine, but I’m mortified that I just did that in front of your family. God, what a nice

impression.”

“Aw, amorcito mio, they don’t give a shit about that. You’re pregnant—shit’s gonna bother you

more than normal.”

I grinned up at him. “I gotta say that pregnant or not, that tongue woulda freaked the hell outta me.”

AJ laughed. “So you’re telling me you Sicilians don’t eat weird shit?”

“Yeah, I’m sure they do back in the old country, but not in Atlanta.”

When my stomach rumbled between us, AJ grinned. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“Would they be really offended if I went to lie down instead of being at the tongue table?”

AJ shook his head. “No, I mean, let’s really get out of here. I’m getting my Baby Mama some

American food.”

“But I don’t want—”

AJ silenced me by bringing his lips to mine. When he pulled away, he cupped my cheeks in his

hands. “Quit worrying about pissing off my family. They love you just for having my baby.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Your illegitimate baby.”

“Hey, we can always legitimize her while we’re down here.”

“If that’s a proposal, you need to step up your game.”

AJ laughed. “Come on, let’s go.”

When we stepped back onto the roof, everyone’s gaze honed in on me. I tried not to blush and

cower behind AJ. He held up a hand. “She’s fine. I’m going to take her for some fresh air.”

His mom nodded and then translated for his relatives. “Sorry,” I said.

She smiled. “Don’t worry about it, honey. It happens to all of us. Just feel better.”

“Thank you.”

I let AJ lead me over to the stairs. Once we were back on the main floor, he grabbed a set of keys

off the hook. I followed him out the front door as he popped the lock on one of the cars on the street.

After we buckled up, he floored the engine, and we pealed out of the spot.

“Um, are you insane?” I asked as we flew around the narrow streets.

“Sorry, amorcito mio, but this is how we drive down here.”

“And I thought Atlanta was bad,” I muttered as I cringed.

At the sight of the Golden Arches a few minutes down the road, I gasped in pleasure. “You guys

have McDonalds?”

AJ chuckled. “Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t some third world country. We even have a

Wal-Mart.”

“Everywhere has a Wally World.”

“Whatever,” AJ replied as he eased up to the drive thru.

I longingly eyed the burgers and fries on the menu. Still worried about gaining too much weight and

being undesirable to AJ, I knew I shouldn’t get anything really fattening. With regret, I said, “I’ll have

the chicken salad.

AJ rolled his eyes and ordered us both double cheeseburger meals and fries. He had them add an

apple pie as well. “What was that about?” I demanded as he began to pull forward.

“That’s about you and your neurotic weight shit.” He cut his eyes over to me. “I want you to eat

what you want to eat.”

I snorted. “Fine. When I get as big as Shamu—”

“I’ll love every inch of you,” AJ countered, with a determined look in his dark eyes.

My heart melted at his words, even though it was hard to believe him. “Whatever,” I mumbled, but

I did lean over and kiss him. After we got the food, he pulled the car into a parking space and left it

running. After he handed me my burger, I hurriedly unwrapped it and shoved in a bite. “Augh, this is

terrible for me, but so fucking good,” I murmured through my mouthful.

AJ laughed. “I’m just glad to see you’re eating for you and Bella.”

“Hey, as long as you don’t give me tongue, I’ll be fine.”

“We’ll get you some ‘Mia friendly food’ later at the local market.”

After wiping my mouth with my napkin, I planted a kiss on AJ’s cheek. “My hero.”

“You’re welcome.”

When we were finished, AJ tossed the trash bag in the back seat and cranked up the car. “Come on,

let me show you my city.”

“But what about your family? Won’t they be mad at me for keeping you gone so long?”

He shook his head. “Once I tell them you wanted nothing more than to learn everything you could

about your second home, Guadalajara, you’ll be putty in their hands.”

I laughed. “If you say so.”

“We have two weeks with my family, Mia. Stop worrying.”

“Okay,” I said with a smile.

Once we got to the historic downtown part, we abandoned the car in a parking deck, and AJ began

his tour on foot. At the sight of an empty horse drawn carriage on the street corner, a thought popped

into my mind. After everything we had been through, we needed a little romance, and what could be

more romantic than a carriage ride?

“Can we do this?”

AJ eyed the white and pink carriage with disdain. I guess the fact the overhanging had pink fringe

didn’t help matters. “Seriously?”

“Please.”

“I’m going to look like a fucking pansy tourist in that thing.”

I poked my bottom lip out. “Do it for me and Bella.”

He snorted. “Like she gives two shits about a Pepto Bismol covered carriage ride.” But even as he

was arguing, he was getting his wallet out. He stepped forward and spoke to the driver. Taking my

hand, he helped me inside before hopping in to sit beside me. On the back of the carriage, there were

two heart-shaped cut-outs for windows. I nestled closer to him before jerking my head back. “Oh,

look. It’s all romantic.”

AJ shifted in his seat. “Let’s not mention romantic shit, okay?”

My anxiety at his comment kicked into overdrive. “But I thought we could use a little romance.”

He grinned. “I’m all for romance, but considering I won’t get to have sex with you as long as we’re

at Abuela’s, I think we need to nix anything that might make me even more sexually frustrated.”

Relief flooded me at his real reason for shooting down my romantic vibe. As I gazed out the

carriage, I peered at the surroundings. “Then I think we better find a hotel that we can duck into from

time to time.”

He arched his eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”

“Mmm, hmm. Pregnancy makes you really horny—or at least it has me.”

He laughed. “Let me guess. You need a stud like me to take care of your needs?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Fuck yeah,” he muttered before kissing me on the lips. Considering we kept making out, I didn’t

see much of the ride before AJ called the driver to stop and let us get out in the city center. AJ helped

me down, and then proceeded to give me an official tour, including historical information.

As I gazed around at the architecture, I said, “This is really beautiful—it reminds me a little of

Italy.”

“A lot of the design is in the similar neoclassic style.”

An imposing cathedral caught my eye. “Wow, that is breathtaking.”

“That’s the Catedral de Guadalajara or Catedral de la Asunción de María Santísima.”

“I want to go to mass there.”

“Sure, we can come back any day you want.”

“Thank you.”

He nudged me playfully. “You’ll make a big impression on Abuela waning to go to mass.”

“Really?”

“Yep. She goes every day. Usually to a smaller church close to the house.”

A tug pulled at my heart. “She sounds just like Mama Sofia. She went every day, too. She’d give

me such grief when I only made it on Sunday.” I smiled at the memory.

As if sensing my grief, AJ wrapped an arm around my waist. “Speaking your Italian heritage, I bet

you’d like the Degollado Theater.” He motioned across the plaza.

“Yes, I do,” I murmured as my gaze took in the intricate details of the building that looked

somewhat like a replica of the Parthenon. “Do they have operas?”

He winced. “You like opera, huh?”

I grinned. “I’m Italian. The great tenors are a part of my heritage.”

“Yeah, they do. Maybe we’ll go one night we’re here.”

My brows rose in surprise. “You in a tux?”

“Hell yeah.”

“Very tempting, Resendiz. Very, very tempting.”

He laughed. “I’ll have my Tio Diego to get us some tickets.”

“That would be very sweet of him.”

“I can’t wait to introduce you to him at the Quinceañera.”

“I look forward to it.” Deep down, my feelings betrayed the enthusiasm in my voice. Although I

was used to a huge family, it was a little overwhelming meeting all of AJ’s, especially since most of

them here didn’t speak English. So far, even with the language barrier, they’d all been so nice and

welcoming. It made me grateful that Bella would have so many people to love her.

We strolled along the streets, taking in the sights and sounds, until AJ came to a building that

looked like a giant warehouse. “What’s this place?”

“San Juan De Dios—a shopper’s paradise.”

“Ooh, yes, please.”

AJ groaned. “I knew you would want to go in there.”

“I’ll make it quick, I promise. I’m getting tired anyway.”

“Okay.” As we stepped inside, AJ said, “Actually I need to make a stop while we’re here too.” He

then steered me toward a jewelry counter, which caused my throat to close up. Surely, after what I

had said in the bathroom he wasn’t bringing me to look at rings. This trip was about taking it slow and

getting to know each other. He must’ve noticed my stricken expression because he chuckled. “Easy

girl. I’m just here to pick up a present for my goddaughter. I thought with you being a chick, you might

be able to help me out.”

“Oh,” I replied, before the breath I’d been holding was exhaled in relief. As we surveyed the

contents inside the glass case, I peppered AJ with questions about his goddaughter’s likes and

dislikes. Surprisingly, he knew more than I thought he would, and once he told me her favorite color

was purple, I picked out a bracelet and earring set.

“Damn, you have expensive taste,” AJ muttered, as he jerked his wallet out his pocket.

“Come on, your goddaughter only has a Quinceañera once.” I nudged his arm. “Besides, you’re a

famous musician. You don’t want to come off as cheap, do you?”

“No,” he replied, as he took his change. After we waited for them to gift-wrap the boxes, we

started making our way through the stalls of clothing and blankets. “I think I’ll get a sombrero for my

dad.”

AJ snickered. “Yeah, I can see him styling that at Mama Sofia’s.”

“That’s the point,” I replied with a grin.

When I bought some other small souvenirs for Dee, Shannon, and some of my cousins, AJ insisted

he pay for them. When he started to take the packages from me, I held them back. “I think I can carry a