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all these chicks. Sleeping with them.”
    “Thank you, Desiree, for explaining that to your decrepit old mother.” Gloria’s tone was crisp as she stirred sugar into her coffee. And she didn’t even take sugar. “I know what hooking up means. And I know what consenting adults do on their dates. Again, what’s the problem? What does this have to do with my friendship with Bryan?”
    “You think that’s all he wants from you? Friendship? Come on. Mami , I know you’re not decrepit. I’d never think of you that way.” Her daughter’s lovely brown eyes were wide and full of concern. “You’re beautiful. But this guy, how do you know you can trust him? What if he only wants to get in your pants?”
    Was that Bryan’s end game? Could it be that crude and blatant? Gloria couldn’t believe that, not after the time they’d spent talking, getting to know each other. “I’ve been there,” she answered. “Men have wanted to get in my pants before. That doesn’t mean they succeed. I can handle myself. I’ve been doing it a long time.”
    Her daughter’s expression softened. For a moment, she looked like the little girl she used to be, the one who loved to have her hair brushed and braided. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
    “Sweetheart, that’s not going to happen. I’m not dating Bryan. What he does with other women is not my business. He’s just a friend.” In a show of nonchalance, she lifted her cup to her mouth. She choked, then coughed. Too hot. The roof of her mouth burned.
    “That’s how guys like him do it. Tell you they just want to be friends. Then when you’re comfortable, when you trust them, they make their move.”
    Her daughter spoke as though Gloria were a dewy-eyed, naïve child. “Desi, please.”
    “Des.” Ashlynn spoke up. “Your mom is right. She’s grown. She can handle herself. Bryan Dunn, from all reports, is a ladies’ man. He might even be a player. But he’s not a predator.”
    Desi shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. Ashlynn slipped her arm around Desi’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”
    Gloria felt an invisible fist squeeze her heart. It hurt to see her daughter so worried. She was grateful Ashlynn was there to calm her down as well as comfort her. Desi used to turn to her mother for those things, but now her fiancée had moved into that role. And that was exactly how it should be. That didn’t mean it was easy to step aside.
    But step aside she must. For her daughter’s sake and her own. Now that Desi had found her soul mate,Gloria wondered if it was time to pursue a serious relationship for herself. Not that anyone could replace Emilio. He had been her soul mate.
    In her mind’s eye, Bryan appeared. But nothing could come of that. Another woman owned his heart.
    Gloria was startled when the server appeared at her elbow. “Are you ready to order?”
    It was French toast all around.
    ****
    Bryan arrived at the park on Thursday as planned, expecting to find Gloria at the fountain. He didn’t expect to find her sitting with Howard and Letty. Not that he hadn’t enjoyed meeting the couple last week, but today he’d hoped to have Gloria all to himself.
    She waved as he approached their bench. There weren’t many others in the park today, as the sky was gray and the day cooler than normal. Swollen clouds lumbered overhead, ominously threatening rain.
    Gloria stood and handed him an ice cream pop when he got to her side. “Glad you’re here. I was afraid I’d have to eat this before it melted.” She gestured to the older couple occupying the bench. “Look who I found.”
    “Thank you. Hello there.” He nodded at Letty and Howard. Letty smiled in greeting, but Howard was too focused on his ice cream to notice Bryan. He turned to Gloria. “I was worried you might not come today because of the weather.”
    She smiled. “I’m not afraid of a little rain. Besides, I said I’d be here.”
    And she was a woman who kept her word. Who was honest and