“That hardly makes us unique,” older sister retorts.

Michelle isn’t deterred, and I want to hug her in hopes some of her idealistic views rub off on me. “But it was Joel she ran into at just the right time. I mean of all the people you run into every day it’s amazing that one of them has just the thing you’re looking for.”

I don’t argue that he’s been running into me on purpose for months now. I like her thinking better.

“In this case, I think that thing he was looking for was –”

I’m certain I blush at the words about to come out of Joel’s older sister’s mouth, but his mother, God bless her, intervenes. “Fate or not, we’re happy to have you here.” She looks from me to the sisters. “Bree, bring the buñuelos over here. Michelle, you and Katrina can sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon on.”

Michelle moves next to me with a pleased smile. “You’re really pretty. Your eyes are so cool.”

“Thank you.”

“You and my brother would have pretty babies. Do you like basketball?”

I choke on my own spit to the point everyone side eyes me in concern. I don’t think they heard Michelle because no one jumps in to tell her how crazy of a thing that is to say to a near stranger.

“Sorry,” she says when I’ve nearly gotten myself under control. “I have a bad habit of saying what I’m thinking. But it’s true, you would. You’re not married, are you? I mean I checked for a ring, so I’m thinking not.”

The first buñuelo is placed in front of us and I follow her lead and sprinkle a generous amount of the sugar and cinnamon mixture on both sides.

“No, I’m not married,” I confirm, and she rewards me with a big smile that gives away her visions of little nephews and nieces. “And I do like basketball, but your brother and I are barely even friends. He didn’t even know I had a son until today.”

She waves me off. “Joel loves kids. He–” She pauses, bites her lips and then repeats herself, “Loves kids.”

Uh-huh. Everyone loves kids when they can return them. Having a kid or dating someone with a kid is a whole different thing. Or so I believe. I’ve not dated anyone with a kid or really dated since I had Christian sooo I’m guessing at best. It feels true.

We’re moving the food outside to a covered patio before I realize I’ve completely neglected to ask any of my planned questions. Being in the Moreno household is a bit like how I imagine it would be to ride a magic carpet. It’s exhilarating and cool and so magical that you forget to do anything but be in the moment. Well, hey, that’s what it looked like for Jasmine anyway. I really need to expand my movie watching beyond cartoons.

I spot Joel crossing the yard toward me. Long legs covered in athletic pants eat up the space and it transports me to the times he walked through the door at University Hall. Except there are no barriers between us now. No café counter to hide all the truths I was afraid to say.