A Proposal They Can't Refuse (Vega Family Love Stories, #1)

by Natalie Caña

All Latinx people knew Vaporú was the cure for everything from a common cold to heartbreak.

A girl who grew up on the West Side of Chicago and with four tormenting older brothers knew to strike first and ask questions later.

Liam looked like something conjured out of the tie me up and spank me books her sister-in-law was always reading.

The caucasity,

Poor Mami: she wanted so badly for her only girl to be a polished princess. Instead, she’d got a high-strung hot mess.

caused Liam a sort of pleasure/pain, like poking at irritated gums or stretching a sore muscle.

“As always, it’s been a real pleasure. Like lighting myself on fire and then trying to put it out with a screwdriver.”

The only constant was that eventually they would realize Liam wasn’t a turtle or an oyster that they could coax out of his shell. He was more like a high-security safe, set deep in the bowels of the earth—extremely difficult to reach and basically impossible to open.

comemierda

Dynamic Doddering Duo had thought of everything.

These grandpas were ready

“It feels wrong,” she told Liam. “This doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the woman you love as much as Killian loved your nana.” Liam met Granda’s gaze from where he was standing close enough to hear their whispered conversation. The look on his face said If only she knew, huh, lad?

His love was dark and resentful and needy. It was unhealthy, and the last thing he’d ever do was force it on her. She deserved better. She always had.

“You’re not an asshole,” she said. “Annoyingly self-sufficient yet socially incompetent, yes, but asshole? Not at all.”

This whole being woken by rays of sun shooting her in the face like high-powered lasers was going to take a lot of adjustment.

“No ojitos, son la misma persona. You should only marry your best friend. Remember that when you grow up.”

“Don’t worry about the tour,” Liam interjected. “I can do it. I’ll take a bunch of happy pills, dance an Irish jig, and shoot rainbows out of my ass if I have to.”

I’m like a pineapple: spiky on the outside but sweet on the inside. Oh and I wear a crown like a f**king QUEEN.

“I think it’s exactly the kind of place that would be owned by un hipócrita comemierda.” Kamilah gasped. Liam ignored it and started tugging them to the exit of the fenced-in outdoor seating. “Congratulations on figuring out how to feed off someone else’s ideas for the last five years,” he threw over his shoulder. At his side, Kamilah burst into scandalized laughter.

She most likely had more than one tattoo and/or facial piercing, because she didn’t let fear of her parents’ or society’s censure stop her from expressing herself.

while Kamilah had frizzy hair, a culinary degree she wasn’t using, and a minimum-wage job with her parents.

My issue is I can’t do it because I don’t like wasting my time and people are the worst.”

“It’s just interesting to hear you think aloud. Your brain works exactly how I thought it would.” She couldn’t be sure, but she didn’t think that was a compliment. “Yeah, it’s like dropping a box full of bouncy balls off a balcony.”

“It’s just energetic and a bit topsy-turvy. It’s like in cartoons when they pop a cork and it goes ricocheting around the room until someone finally catches it.”

“Brewery and distillery tours would not be so popular if all people wanted to do was drink. They can drink at a bar or in their homes. They go on tours for the same reasons they eat at restaurants. They want a handcrafted experience given to them by someone they consider an expert in that field. You’re the expert. If you can give them that experience, they’ll come, they’ll come back, and they’ll bring their friends.”

Her brain simply worked faster than she could communicate calmly.

The problem wasn’t with her abilities but with people constantly trying to block or subdue her.

“You are Liam Alexander Kane, and you are your own man. A man who is incredibly smart, talented, creative, and more than capable. Own it. And run this shit like the badass you are.”

“You are all looking at this from an ideological standpoint, but to Kamilah this isn’t about the fucked-up system.” He grabbed Kamilah’s hand. “This is her life’s calling, her heart and soul. This is her labor of love, and it’s dedicated to you, her family. How can any one of you judge her for it? How can you not support her in trying to ensure it survives?”

“You need to learn that shutting the fuck up is free, but constantly talking out of your neck can cost you.”

“I want to strip you bare,” he whispered. “And once you’re naked, I’m going to sit you down on my tasting table and do exactly what its name dictates I do.”

I’m going to taste you. I’m going to savor you like one of my whiskeys, and I’m not going to stop until I’m drunk on you.”

“I’m not mean-mugging him. I’m just thinking.” “About what? That you have a mortal enemy to disembowel with your bare hands later?”

just wanted a dream to replace the one I’d given up. But now I can honestly say that I don’t regret it. Do I sometimes fantasize about what might have been? Sure. Especially when Leo is really pissing me off, my parents refuse to listen to me, or they talk about selling El Coquí to the highest bidder. I just think Ah, if I were in Paris, I wouldn’t have to deal with this shit.”

Life is a series of unexpected, uncomfortable, and usually-unwanted incidents that you can either grow or hide from.

When sacrifices are made in excess, out of duty, or with resentment, they cease to mean anything positive.”

“I named this whiskey Coquí, because, like the goddess to her love, my heart has always called for you.”

Everything about this whiskey was his love letter to her. A love letter he’d started years ago.

“I don’t know what to say about those last two, but your family is going to have to deal, because I plan to kiss you like my life depends on it. Anywhere and anytime.”

“Number one. The particulars of your relationship are private. A relationship concerns only the people in it. Don’t let outside forces intrude in its growth or affect its progress. Keep each other’s counsel, because you need to trust one another.”

“Number two. Be present. Loving someone is not easy. You both have to show up ready to put in the work and stay even when things get hard, and they will. But they will also be good, so enjoy each other, and enjoy the way you feel together. Life is too unexpected to waste it not living every moment to the fullest.” “Number three,” Abuelo said. “Support each other. You don’t always have to agree or understand each other, but you have to remember that you have a partnership. Life is full of ups and downs, but together you can not only make it through but make it through happily.”