Shutter by Rhonda Laurel

life and not knowing how to deal with it. I kid you about that camera and attracting women with it, but I think you really use it to watch the world and keep yourself at arm’s length from it. I think you finally found the one picture you can’t take and move on. Sometimes the real thing is better than a photograph.”
    “So you think I am worthy of the love of a beautiful, sweet, loving woman? Even after all the dogging around I did?” he grumbled.
    Lauren stood up and took his hand. “I think you need a beautiful, sweet, loving woman because of all the dogging you did. May seem like you were the one having all the fun, but you suffered too.”
    “I don’t want to get my heart broken. I think she could do it. I seriously think she could be the one that could be the end of me.”
    “How about I shoot you in the shoulder? Then you tell me which hurts less. A bullet or a broken heart.” Lauren smiled.
    “Antonio,” Alejandro said in a stern big brother voice. “De Soto men don’t let anything stand in their way to get what they want. But sometimes we stand in our own way when it’s time to get what we need. Go get her and make things right with her. She loves you. She’ll forgive you.”
    “How do you know that she loves me?”
    “Because the love a person feels for you is reflected in your eyes. You carry it around with you,” Alejandro said.
    “I gotta go.” Antonio jumped up.
    “I packed your bag and there is an eleven thirty plane leaving out of Newark. I printed your e-ticket for you.”
    Both men looked at Lauren. Alejandro let out a slight chuckle.
    “What do you think I was doing in the study?”
    “Apparently not looking for the book Lana asked for.” Antonio laughed.
    “I found that book hours ago. I love you, Antonio. I am so happy for you.” She jumped in his arms and gave him a big squeeze.
    Antonio embraced her—well, both her and the baby. He wanted to tell her that she looked beautiful despite her complaining earlier about turning into a house again. Love, babies, and Alejandro suited her.
    At that moment Antonio finally knew why Lauren had come into their lives. She single-handedly was able to repair his and Alejandro’s broken hearts. She never was meant to be his. Anyone could see she was meant to be with his brother. She was meant to open his eyes and make him see what it was he was missing in his world.
    “I love you too. Both of you.” He looked at his brother. “And her name is Lucy.”
    “I love her already. Lucy and Lauren.” She flashed a grin at him.
    “What if she wants babies?” he said.
    “You would be a great dad. But check with her first and see what both of you want.” Lauren laughed.
    “Babies are good, Antonio. And we’d help you along the way.” Alejandro smiled.
    “How about this?” Lauren said sheepishly. “You can be the godfather of our little girl. That way you can experiment on her.”
    Antonio cracked a smile. “I would be honored. Another daughter, bro?” He raised an eyebrow.
    “I have two monsters in training upstairs. I’m not worried about it.” He winked.
    “Yeah, Dylan and Diego are going to smother her something terrible.” She sighed. “You see how they are with Zaria and she’s older.”
    “De Soto men are very protective of their women,” Alejandro and Antonio said in unison.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Lucy stood in the highest point of the balcony, her gaze glued to the trees. It was when she reached the highest point in the theater that she saw how the trees became animated thanks to awesome lighting by Rick, the lighting director.
    She could also watch the performance uninterrupted and it gave her a safe haven from glances at her in the dress she was wearing. Dressing in elegant evening wear on the opening night of the performance had become a staple since Felix suggested it one year. She thought he missed dressing elegantly and it was also his way of putting a little style back into the town mixed with up-and-coming yuppies