He shrugged. “Yeah, that’s because they mixed up the letters, but it’s still the same.”
I laughed. “It is not!”
“It is too!”
I laughed harder. “It’s a whole different name, E,” I said, pointing at the chocolate. “Look at it!”
He looked at the chocolate bar, then back to me. “What! You’re crazy.” He chuckled. “Ghirardelli,Firrardelli—same thing.”
“You’re insane,” I said with a shake of my head. “I can’t believe I almost believed you.” We both laughed as he opened the bar and took a bite. He leaned it toward me, offering me some, and I took a bite, too. The way his smile grew mischievous, the way our eyes stayed locked—it made the moment feel intimate and surreal. Like it was us first, and then the rest of the world.
“Mmm, that’s delicious,” I said with absolute pleasure as the silky rich flavor melted in my mouth.
“Mm-hmm.” He nodded. “You know what we need now?”
“Hmm?”
“Fat, greasy burgers.” I smiled as he waved the chocolate bar at me. “Soak up all those bottomless mimosas you had earlier, drunkie.” I laughed again.
“Did you drive here?” he asked.
“No. We took the train.”
“Perfect,” he said with a satisfied grin. “I’ll drive you home.” My heart skipped a sharp beat in my chest.
He turned and walked toward the register, paid for the chocolate bar, and began walking me the few blocks to his car. I sent a text to Ren asking her if she wanted a ride. She was still with her girlfriends and said she’d meet me at home in the morning. A wave of nervousness fell on me like a blanket—I had been alone with E millions of times, butthis… this was a whole new ballgame, and I wasn’t sure I knew how to play.
E had a Cadillac CTS now. It was newer and didn’t have the same soul as the Eldorado—the one with the worn leather seats and the cassette stuck in the deck. This one was sleek and polished. Well-maintained, like he was now. It made me realize how much the things that once felt like home could change without permission.
When the engine roared to life, the radio followed suit, and Marvin Gaye’sAin’t No Mountain High Enoughcame through the speakers. I smiled a heartwarming smile. As quickly as I was reminded of all the things that had changed, I was shown that some things—things that mattered most—stayed the same.
Forty minutes later, we were sitting on the hood of his car at the midnight burger spot. The neon signs buzzed behind us as we downed greasy Cali cheeseburgers and shared an order of fries.
“This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” I said through a mouthful.
“I can see that,” he mocked with a smile. I kicked my foot out toward him, and he laughed, dodging the blow.
Music played softly through the outdoor speakers of the restaurant. It was oddly comforting being back in our neighborhood—at this spot we used to avoid as teenagers so we wouldn’t get in trouble for our late-night shenanigans. Just walking past it used to feel like a risk, like one of our parents might magically appear from behind the menu board or catch our reflection in the glass. We used to duck our heads and cross the street, half-drunk on freedom andadrenaline, never imagining we’d one day sit here willingly, even nostalgically. And still together.
But not really.
Just as the somber realization hit me, the four calls of a trumpet sounded from the speakers above.
“Ooohh,” E’s face contorted as he recognized the song. He placed his burger down in its carton and dusted his hands.
“It’s our song!” he sang, then held out his hand.
“We have a song?” I mused.
“We havemanysongs, girl.” I laughed at that. I placed my burger down and took his hand, hopping off the hood of his car.
He swung me around in an effortless twirl, then pulled me in close as he began to sing. “You want my love, and you can’t deny. You know it’s true, but you try to hide. You turn down love like it’s really bad. You can’t give what you never had. Well, bless your soul, you can fool a few… I know the truth now. So do you…”
We stopped swaying as the weight of the lyrics fell upon us. I don’t think E realized what he’d be singing, but once the words left his lips, it was too late. My heart was beating too hard, and my limbs felt weak and weightless. E’s smile fell flat, and I noticed his breathing had quickened. He was just as affected as I was, and his eyes said it all as they bounced between mine.
When they fell to my lips, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe. But the moment he leaned in closer, I had to.
“E…” I closed my eyes, and he froze.
