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

by Natalie Caña

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

Liam thought about his own whiskey—his favorite special blend—with its sweet softness, notes of caramel and coconut, and its spiced warmth. Everything that Kamilah embodied. It represented the love and longing he’d felt for her for almost two decades. That was the real reason the whiskey was unnamed and not for sale. It was too important, too private, and he’d never wanted anyone to know how very much she meant to him. Especially her.

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

“You need to realize that family first doesn’t mean at the expense of everything else. It means that we all look out for one another, support one another, and respect one another because the love we feel for each other is first in our hearts.”

You mentioned love, respect, and support, and I didn’t feel that. I felt pressure to prove myself as valuable because it was like every mistake I made was highlighted, but any positive was glossed over.”

But there was one very clear image in her imaginings of the perfect future. It was Liam. She’d never been happier than when she was with him.

“Y eso es lo que te pasa por pendeja.”

“You know better than anyone that love is not expressed in words but in actions. Everything that he has shown you has been actions of love.

“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.

There was plenty more Coquí whiskey where that came from, but there was only one Coquí. Only one Kamilah.

“I appreciate everything that makes you Liam, and I love you exactly as you are.”

“Lo único que le pido a Dios es que seas feliz.”

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.”

“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.”

My friend, I hope you are seeing this. Killian had lost his final battle with cancer a few weeks ago. Papo missed him every day, but he knew that his best friend—his brother—would be happy with the way everything had turned out.

Papo caught Liam’s lips mouthing the words Te amo.

“How can I be a troublemaker?” And, in truth, he wasn’t a troublemaker. Why would he want to be a troublemaker when matchmaker sounded so much better?