It all started during the 2021 Phoenix Suns playoffs — Game 6, to be exact. The setting: Erika’s mom’s house, packed with family, food, and very serious basketball energy. Enter Chris, brought along by cousin Gabriel, completely unaware that he was about to meet the woman who would change his life. From the moment they spotted each other across the room, there was obvious chemistry — the kind where both people notice… and then do absolutely nothing about it. Chris assumed Erika had a boyfriend. Erika wasn’t about to make the first move with her entire family watching. So instead, they exchanged glances and let fate work out the details. Unfortunately, the Suns lost. Fortunately, that meant the party turned into a “drink and dance away the heartbreak” situation. Erika took on the role of unofficial bartender, making micheladas with tequila twist for everyone. When Chris asked if she could make him one, she saw her opening — and may have made his drink just a little stronger than the rest. Purely for morale, of course. That one drink turned into conversation. Conversation turned into laughter. Laughter turned into why does this feel so easy? By the end of the night, Chris asked for Erika’s number, and the rest is history. The Suns may not have won that night, but Erika and Chris did. And just like any good love story, it all started with bad timing, great chemistry, and one perfectly strong michelada.