Avô:How do you know I’m at the shop and not somewhere else?
I rolled my eyes as I drank more of the delicious coffee.
Me:Where else would you be, Avô?
Avô:Come now, at least give me the benefit of the doubt, pequena.
I chuckled.
Me:Never change, Avô. Never change.
Avô:It’s already a little too late for that, don’t you think?
I shook my head as I laughed, just as my phonebeepedwith another text from him.
Avô:Also, I’m at the shop this early because Cruz called and asked if I could come in before opening time. He said he wants me to sample a few things, and that he had your approval on them?
Me:Yeah. It’s these yummy cupcake flavors he’s come up with. They’re so good, Avô; I really think we should add them to our menu.
I placed the empty mug on the nightstand and hid a yawn behind a hand.
Avô:I’ll try them, then, but I’m sure they’re great. It’s about time we introduced new things to the customers.
Me:I agree! Okay, I gotta go freshen up and look for something to eat. I love you, Avô. Text me after you’ve tried the cupcakes.
Avô:Will do, hon. Eu te amo.
I got to my feet and headed to the window. I slowly slid its small glass door to the side, and leaned my head out so that I could look at the blue jays’ food tray. The sunflower seeds were hidden under a thick blanket of snow, and I could already tell that a lot of them had frozen over. I liked to clean and fill the tray late at night so that the birds had food in the morning, but ever since it had started snowing, I’d been having issues keeping the tray safe from the stupid snowflakes. I had, however, thought about getting a roof added over it to avoid the snow from falling directly inside it. The guy who’d installed the tray wasn’t free to come in and do it for me, and I, of course, couldn’t do it myself. But…maybeMylescould do it.
I shivered at the cold outside and moved back to avoid getting hit by strong waves of chilly air. I then shut the window and stepped to the side, and tapped my nails on the back of my phone, which was still in my hand.
It wasn’t like I was going to be candid with Myles if I did decide to text him. It would be a work-related thing, and even if Ididsend him a random message, it wasn’t like I’d commit a crime against humanity or anything. We’d exchanged numbers for a reason.
We’d almostkissedlast night for a reason, too.
Ugh, why was it so hard being a fifteen-year-old in the body of a twenty-seven-year-old? The struggle wasreal, let me tell you.
I glanced at my phone, then at the food tray, and then at my phone again. Deciding that the birds mattered more than my silly procrastination, and also that it’d be nice to simplyhearfrom Myles after almost getting caught byAvôlast night, I unlocked my phone and sent out a text.
Me:Morning, Beauty:’)I need a quick favor.
I then explained everything in the message, making it look more like a movie’s monologue than an actual request. I think Iwaited for a little over ten minutes for him to reply, and when he didn’t – even after reading the message within the first minute itself – I sighed, threw my phone on the bed, and decided to go downstairs.
What? I was at home for a reason, okay? Examining the work progress waspartof that very reason. And, if I wanted to check in on a certain constructor as well, then I would.
Why?
Because I damn well could, that’s why.
7. I Really Like Her
“Fuckingfantastic, Paul; why don’t you go ahead and break the damn door while you’re at it, huh?” I said to one of my guys, and sniffed against the dryness in my nose.
“Sorry, boss,” he mumbled before carefully placing the box he was holding, at the entrance.
It wasfreezingoutside, and I was helping Paul and Greg haul the tile boxes, marble counter-tops, and wood plies from the mover’s truck to the house.
When Mr. Ribeiro had opened the door for me an hour or so ago, he’d only given me a quick nod before going about his business. I’d seen him go up to Carina’s room with a mug and a note in hand, and then watched him leave for the shop a few minutes later with another curt nod in my direction.
