“Text me when you get home?” Camila tucks a strand of hair behind Valeria’s ear.
Valeria nods, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers.
Camila senses the embarrassment oozing from Valeria, and she hates it, but she knows there’s nothing she can do, so instead of calling attention to it, she lets it be.
“Drive safe,” Camila says, reaching for Valeria’s hand, not ready to let her go yet, already dreading the silence she knows exists in her home without Valeria there.
“I will.” Valeria presses Camila’s cold fingers against her warm cheek.
After a few seconds of staring at each other, Camila lets Valeria go, and she takes a big breath as Valeria gets in her seat. Camila closes her door, and Valeria pulls out of the garage and blows her a kiss before speeding off.
Camila walks back into her house and sighs. She grabs the remote and turns off the TV before heading toward her room to pick out what to wear for Lily’s birthday dinner, trying hard not to focus too much on how much she already misses Valeria or the emptiness in her chest. She does an admirable job for about ... three minutes before giving in to the feeling, pulling her phone from her pocket and texting Valeria.
Camila 3:56 p.m.:
Too soon to say that I miss you?
Valeria 3:56 p.m.:
Funny you should say that, I was wondering the same thing.
Camila 3:56 p.m.:
In that case, then no. It’s perfectly acceptable timing. Tell me all about it.
Valeria 3:56 p.m.:
I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one day. Why don’t YOU tell me?
Camila laughs, and her stomach flutters at the reminder of Valeria asleep on top of her.
Camila 3:56 p.m.:
Currently missing you extra because I don’t know what to wear, and I could use your input.
Camila’s phone starts ringing, and it’s a FaceTime from Valeria.
“Are you sure you should be FaceTiming me while you’re driving?” Camila answers.
“It’s perfectly safe. I have you on a mount. It’s no different than me looking at my phone for directions.” She says it so confidently that Camila can’t argue her point.
“What are the options so far?” she asks only briefly, looking at the screen.
Camila heads into her closet and pulls out her favorite shirt.
“This black T-shirt,” Camila says, lifting it so Valeria can see it.
“That’s a good start. What about bottoms?”
“Haven’t looked at that yet,” Camila says, immediately scanning her closet. “I was thinking maybe some straight-legged chinos, rolled up, and my boots with that black shirt I showed you. Too simple?”
“No, I think that will look great. We’re just going to Lily and Isabella’s house, so no need to dress up.”
“What are you wearing?” Camila asks, laying the clothes out on her bed.
“You’ll have to wait and see,” Valeria says, turning to the phone and winking at her.
“That’s not fair.”
