You never needed anyone to fight your battles, Catalina. That’s one of the things I respect the most about you.
Aaron is Catalina’s arch nemesis at her work, she blacklisted him from the beginning, after her unfruitful attempt to become friends, and his cold refusal. That is why it comes as a surprise to her when he not only offers help to her when it comes to her sister’s wedding, but also decides to stay late at work to help her prepare for the event that was pushed onto her. These words show that Aaron has been more attentive and interested in Catalina than he let on.
Single and alone after fleeing the country, heartbroken. Stuck.
One of the main plot points in the novel is Catalina’s past, in which she was betrayed and heartbroken by her ex, who is also to be the best man at her sister’s wedding. Finding herself in this precarious situation, Catalina wants to avoid as much humiliation as possible, which is why she lied to her family about having an American boyfriend. But, Catalina makes a point several times throughout that she is not afraid of seeing her happily-engaged ex, but of sensing her family’s judgement and pity.
That is the part you will play in this whole Spanish love deception. My made-up boyfriend.
The first shoutout to the novel’s title, the Spanish love deception created by Catalina Martin and supported by Aaron Blackford, happens at the beginning of Catalina’s doubt over her feelings about her blacklisted colleague. It is unclear to her why he would go through all of that for her. As the novel progresses, it becomes gradually clear that it is not entirely a deception on his part.
