“Don’t talk about your friend like that.”
“She’s not my friend!” My sister whines, which activates my wheeze. “I don’t invite her anywhere. She just shows up. Her humping got her cut off anyway.”
“You don’t have to do that for me.”
“And did.” She straightens to adjust her blazer. “I caught the smirk Lisa thought she was hiding. She can play games with her mama before she plays with my sister. The fuck?”
“I love you, Cela.”
“Love you too, girl.”
My phone buzzes.
Antonio
Hey! Did they roll out the red carpet for you? I meant to text earlier, but we started at six this morning.
Sounds rough. The interview was okay. Not sure I’m completely sold, the more I think about it. They’re making a position for me.
Antonio
That’s what’s up! Don’t settle for less. You deserve it all. I’m beat. Showering, eating, and going to bed. We still on for your friendly school bus event?
It’s not a school bus! Change of plans. Kieran, the guy I might work with, asked me to dinner to discuss the position. You’re off the hook being my wingman. Get some rest!
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask Marcela and her smile.
She picks up a chip. “You and Antonio are both in denial, but y’all will figure it out one day.”
“We aren’t. We’re—”
“Friends,” she mocks in a kid voice and winks. “Antonio looks at you like he’d hang the sun, the moon, and every star for you. Got him calling me ‘ma’am,’ being all polite and grabbing sushi because you said you ate it on Fridays back in grad school. If you don’t get out your own way and get your fairy tale…”
“He’s being nice,” I say quietly.
“He’s in love. Probably waiting for you to give a sign that you feel the same way.”
Never once have I heard of Antonio wanting to give up his bachelor life. We don’t talk about who he sees or what they do.
I won’t say things haven’t been a little weird since he texted me on Sunday to apologize. His poor mother. It would be wrong for me to ask about Lisa, especially now. So I minded my business and left it alone. Between his mother and practice before the season starts, he’s got his hands full.
I will too once I get a job. Maybe then I’ll stop thinking about things I shouldn’t. Like how long him and Lisa have been…active. If it’s serious. If he could be with just one person.
“We like each other, but not the way you think,” I say. “It’s not my place to care about who he’s with.”
“Lisa didn’t sleep with him,” Marcela confirms.
“I don’t need—”
“He kicked her out. Said he had to go to the airport. She called today to apologize. I told her trifling ass I wasn’t the one who needed an apology.”
The breath that was trapped in my lungs escapes in a slow release. I fix my glasses and nod without glancing at my sister. The confirmation that nothing happened between them shouldn’t be a relief. But it is, and that confuses me.
Chapter 18
Antonio
Miriam is going on a date withKieran“to discuss the position.”
