HE TOOK HIS FIANCÉE TO HIS POOR HOMETOWN TO TEST HER—BUT THE PAPER SHE HANDED HIM LEFT HIM TOO ASHAMED TO MEET HER EYES

restaurant near his job. Aaron came, along with three other men who had spent weeks making jokes at his expense.

“So,” Aaron said with a grin, “did the village test backfire?”

Diego set down his fork.

“Yes.”

The table fell silent.

Aaron laughed uneasily. “Man, I was joking.”

“I know,” Diego said. “But I’m not.”

One coworker shifted in his seat.

Diego looked continue reading …