Camila turns fully toward Valeria. “Hey, I don’t mind it. It’s been nice having company after work, and I’m sure Miso has loved the extra attention. You can stay as long as you need. I’m not going to tell you to go if you’re not ready.”
Valeria’s shoulders sink. “I know, I ... I want to, I feel ready, but for whatever reason, I also don’t. I’m worried that the second I walk in there, everything will remind me of her and the six years we were together. I’m worried I won’t be able to handle it.”
“Trust me, I get it. You don’t have to go alone. I can go with you. If nothing more than to bring back whatever you need for work tomorrow.”
“Fuck.” Valeria paces the room. “I completely forgot.”
Honestly, Camila had, too. If it hadn’t been for the reminder she’d set on her phone, it would have completely slipped her mind.
“Do you want to call out one more time? You can stay hereif you like.”
“No, no. I can’t keep imposing.”
Camila reaches for Valeria’s face instinctively, brushing her thumb along her cheek. “You’re not. Take the day off to prepare yourself, and we can go once I’ve returned from work.”
Valeria glances up at her, and that’s when Camila realizes how intimate this is. She drops her hand and steps back as casually as possible, but her heart is thundering in her chest. She’s not the tactile type, but something about Valeria makes her want to be.
“Tomorrow. Yeah, that sounds better. If you don’t mind me staying another night.”
“If your back doesn’t mind another night on the couch, neither do I, but I do have my date with Zoe. Do you mind being here alone?”
Valeria shakes her head. “I don’t mind. If that’s okay with you.”
“Of course it is!”
Miso walks into the kitchen and purrs as she rubs herself against Valeria’s legs.
“Miso and I will entertain ourselves.” Valeria reaches for Miso, placing her in her arms like a baby. “Won’t we, Miso?”
Miso meows.
“See? We’re all good! And I’ll do my best not to bingeSeverancewithout you.”
“You’d better not.” Camila points her finger at her, eyes narrowed.
Valeria laughs. “Will you be home after work, or are you going straight there?”
“Probably going straight there.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. Something maybe a little more put-together than my usual baggy pantsand T-shirt. I can almost guarantee she’s going to show up in a suit, looking absolutely amazing.”
Valeria sets Miso down on the counter. “Well, let’s go,” she says, grabbing Camila’s hand and guiding them toward the main bedroom.
The second they walk into Camila’s closet, Valeria taps her chin, looking around. “Where are you guys going?”
“Some Thai restaurant in Bellevue.”
“Did she give you a name?”
“She did.” Camila fishes her phone out of her pocket, not remembering the name. “Here,” Camila says, showing Valeria.
“Okay, looks kind of fancy.” Valeria turns back toward Camila’s clothes, sifting through it all before saying, “I think you should wear these black fitted cargo pants with this black button-down shirt.” Valeria hands Camila the hangers. “Try it on.”
It’s not a combination she would have come up with herself, but, for whatever reason, she trusts Valeria completely. Valeria steps out and closes the closet door behind her so Camila can change.
A few minutes later, the door opens again—and Valeria’s mouth drops open.
