My mother's nonsensical statement nearly choked me.
"No," I argued.
"Yes."
"Nope."
"Sí, mi amor."
I scowled, crossing my arms. "I hate that you're saying this with so much confidence. I hate that you think you know something I don't."
She beamed. "Then tell me, Axel, if you don't want Rosa… who would you rather settle down with?"
Who would I rather be with? I hadn't given that much thought since I wanted no woman in my life, but now that Mother had asked…
Regardless, that should have been an easy question. It should have been an easy question.
Except…
My brain short-circuited. Like a broken machine, it lagged—flat-out refused to process the data. My mouth opened, but the words didn't come.
Come on, think! Just say 'no one.' Say it!
But then, like a traitor, my lips moved on their own. My soul left my body. I floated above the disaster scene, watching in horror as my earthly form made the biggest mistake of my life.
"…María José." I blurted out.
