Chapter 2

MARCOS

I wandered through the supermarket aisles, making sure I’d grabbed everything from both lists. Bruno was supposed to get all of Carla’s stuff, but he talked so much he always forgot something.

“Man, it’s hot as hell. How’s that crazy woman handling it?” he said, pointing to a woman at the end of the aisle wearing jeans and a hoodie with the hood up, covering her face. “Let’s hurry up and check out. I want to get home in time for the game.”

For a moment, my heart raced in my chest, almost like a warning, but when a kid stopped next to her, talking, I brushed it off. It wasn’t my girl. It could never be. My girl was in São Paulo, happy with her lawyer boyfriend, living the big city life.

“Anything else?” Kelly, the cashier, asked, snapping me back to reality.

“Man, the milk!” I shouted when the little girl ran by, reminding me of Felipe. “Carla would kill me if I forgot.”

I dashed across the aisle, glancing at the mysterious woman. I didn’t want to be nosy, but people didn’t dress like that in São Fernando. She was either a drug user or someone on the run from the police. I wasn’t sure which, but neither option was good, that much I knew.

When I came back, she was gone, but I saw the guys pointing toward another checkout. My eyes darted over, catching the back of the hooded stranger.

“It’s her, I’m sure of it!” Bruno whispered, and I squinted, trying to get a better look.

“Who are you guys talking about?” But instead of answering, he raised his voice.

“Emily?” What the hell was that? Some prank from those two? It wouldn’t be the first time.

But then she turned, and our eyes met. Shit, it was her! It was really her. My heart pounded as I scanned her pale, well-kept face, those big cheeks, and the brown eyes I loved.

Emily was back. My Emy! But before I could pull myself together and do anything, she grabbed her bags from the counter and bolted.

“When did she get back? Could Mr. Miguel…”

“No!” I cut him off before he could say something stupid. “Miguel’s fine. I saw him last night.”

“Then what’s she doing here after five years?” Bruno looked at me with a guilty expression. He’d helped me break her heart back then and had witnessed my suffering all these years without my girl.

“I have no idea. But if anyone knows why she’s back in town, it’s Bianca.”

I was heading straight to talk to my sister. I’d never asked her anything about Emy these past five years, staying strong and keeping my feelings hidden. But that was about to change. If Emily was back, this was my chance to make things right, to show her how much I love her!