“Fleur!”My heart breaks.I was working late last night and I didn’t get back until after ten.She must have been in her room.I go hug her but step back seeing her dried-up avocado face.She nods, telling me she’s fine.That she’s not falling apart.
“It was only for a bit, and then I remembered I’m fabulous, and amazing, and a great catch for the guy who truly deserves me.”
That’s my girl.“Yes you are.”
She touches her face again.The avocado is starting to crack.“I’m ready.Let me jump in the shower.I’ll be quick.”
I retreat to my bedroom and change into leggings and a soft sweater.I re-read Zach’s texts again.
Friday.Dinner.
My stomach tightens again.The restaurant he’s picked is super exclusive and will come with the type of menu that would make an ordinary person’s jaw drop.A restaurant like the one Cecil took me and Katherine to once, where menus don’t have prices.I’m going to insist on paying my share, because there’s no way I’ll let him cover it.I don’t care how awkward that makes things.
I can afford it.What I can’t afford is the implication.Like Fleur’s loser date.I hope Zach understands what this is, and what it isn’t, but I’m starting to think he’s noticed my coldness and he knows better than to try to make dinner be anything else.
“I’m out, and I’m running late!”Fleur shouts from her room.“Come and tell me about your day.”
I saunter into her room.She’s changed into her dress, and is dusting powder across her cheeks.Her damp hair hangs loose around her shoulders.
“Enough about me.Tell me about you.”
My heart skips a beat, or three.I’m not sure I’m ready to tell her, to even talk about this out loud.I can’t say a word to my mom, ever.“I …” I hesitate, then force myself to speak.“I might be meeting someone on Friday.”
Might?You are.
I can’t get out of it now.
She turns slowly to face me.“You might bewhat?”
“It’s not adate-date.”
“Maya Santiago.You’re going on a date … to meet a man, I presume, and you only tell menow?”
“It’s not a date.It’s just dinner,” I manage to say.“With someone I used to know many years ago.”
“Oooohhhhh!”Her eyes flash with excitement.“A long-lost love?Second chance?High-school romance?Love rekindled?”
I ignore her million questions as heat creeps up my neck.“It’s really not a big deal.”
She lets out a small, incredulous laugh.“I’ve lived with you for sixteen months.Sixteen.And this is the first time you’ve ever said anything like this.”She steps closer, eyes bright with makeup and curiosity.“Who is he?”
I run my hand across the back of my neck, feel the sweat on my palm.“Just some guy,” I say evasively.
“What guy?”
“It’s all you’re getting.”I’ve already said too much.
She studies me for a moment, her expression softening.“Do you want it to be a date?”
“No!”I cry.“We’re just catching up.One dinner.That’s it.”
She smiles gently.“Okay.”
I nod, mostly to convince myself.“It’s not a date.”
“Of course it’s not.”She turns back to the mirror, starts dusting powder across her face.“But you’re still going to need help picking an outfit.”
That’s true.“I probably will.”
