“Um, sure. Let me, um…”
I take the phone from him and he steps a little uncomfortably into the frame.
Paige looks so happy it makes me smile even though my insides are spinning like it’s too much to get my head around.
It takes a few snaps for him to settle into it, but by the time Paige has hugged him into submission, he’s laughing openly, and my entire pelvic area is in turmoil.
Then three words from Paige solidify me to the spot. “You too, Mom.”
I stand rigid and speechless, vaguely aware of Mallorie taking the phone from my hands and gently pushing me into the frame.
Paige stretches out an arm, drawing me into her as she nestles in between Augusto and me. I do my best to ignore the fact Augusto’s arm is touching the length of mine and smile as authentically as I can.
“Closer,” Mallorie instructs. “Have Paige stand in front of you.”
This right here is the very end of our friendship.
I try to communicate this through narrowed eyes as Augusto steps into my side and wraps an arm around my waist.
God, Imeltinto him.
“Smile!” Mallorie orders, brightly.
I force something as close to a smile as I possibly can while Mallorie takes her goddamn time drawing out the photographs.
Never have I been so relieved to hear the doorbell ring. Paige springs away from us to greet Meredith, leaving Augusto and me to separate awkwardly. I’m thankful that the next thirty minutesare filled to bursting with squeals, more photos, frantic calls to other friends and makeup mishaps.
In the midst of it all, Mallorie offers to drive Paige and Meredith to the school and Mom weirdly agrees to go with them.
After I’ve hugged my daughter as much as she’ll let me and sobbed a few tears, they all disappear out the front door in a cloud of glitter, perfume and sequins, leaving the house silent and filled with a tension I have no idea how to negotiate.
It’s just us. Me and Augusto.
For the first time in eighteen months.
I turn slowly to see he’s already watching me. Like he always did.
He releases a breath so heavily it’s like he’s been holding it since I drove away from the safe house.
“I missed you,” he says, gruffly.
The words hit me so hard I almost collapse.
“I missed you too,” I reply, breathlessly.
Moments pass, my breaths becoming increasingly shallow. If he doesn’t kiss me in the next ten seconds, I?—
One step and his mouth is on mine.
I let go like I’ve just been fed oxygen for the first time in months.
His hand grasps the back of my head, fingers snaking through my hair. His other hand comes up to my jaw, holding me still as he takes my mouth in his, swirling his tongue around mine like he’s remembering how I taste.
My knees buckle and his hand slides down my throat, my ribcage then wraps around my back, keeping me there. All the while, my fingers are gripping his sides, digging into him, making sure he’s real and not just a figment of my imagination.
Our lips part for a beat. Just long enough for the words, “I haven’t stopped thinking about you,” to leave his lungs.
I smooth my hands up to his face, pulling him back onto my lips. Now I’ve got him, I don’t ever want to let him go.
