The next morning, the knock on the door made Laurie quickly straighten up her posture, puff up her hair, and smooth down her casual knit dress.

“You look lovely, dear,” Gail said, looking at her daughter with shining eyes.

“Thanks, Mom.” Laurie smiled, trying to calm her racing heart by reminding herself that Alejandro loved her.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the front door and lit up when she saw him freshly shaven and casually but deliciously dressed in a ...