“You’re in deep, aren’t you?”
“I told him I loved him.”
“You did? Wow. That’s big. Did he say it back?”
I shake my head, and my eyes glaze.
“Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry.”
“After he fell asleep, I slipped out and left. He’s pissed about that, I guess. He hasn’t texted me once.”
“What are you going to do?”
My lip trembles. “I don’t know.”
“Have you texted him?”
I shake my head. “I’ve been afraid to.”
“Luisa, just text him. If he’s pissed off, then he needs to get over it. If not, then fuck him.”
“Easy for you to say, but it’ll break my heart.”
She pushes my phone toward me. “Just do it and get it over with. Then we’ll deal with it.”
I take a deep breath and tap out a text.
ME: Can I see you? Can we talk?
We wait a long time, and there’s no response.
Carmen finishes her sundae and signals for the check. Her eyes connect with mine, and she reaches out to squeeze my hand.
We settle the check and are about to slide out of the booth when my phone chimes.
Carmen and I freeze, and she watches as I check it.
BLUE: Where are you?
I lift my eyes to Carmen. “He wants to know where I am.”
“Tell him.”
I text him back.
ME: The diner
His reply comes in almost immediately.
BLUE: Stay there. I’m headed to you.
“He’s coming here,” I whisper, panic flooding me.
“Do you want me to stay?” Carmen asks.
“I don’t know.”
“Tell you what. I’ll wait in my car, and text if you need me. Okay?”
