I shifted my thoughts from my sad social life to review the day again. Sales had gone much better than expected. One of the best days I’d had all spring.
Then there was Jude.
A smile broke out on my face thinking about his corny Spanish pickup line, and how salty he was about me laughing when I saw him at the gas station. Which only reminded me of the bullshit with that woman and my good mood sank.
Mamí recognized her from benefits and other events on campus, and said she was some rich lady who always gave hercatering staff a hard time. She’d been ready to go on a full recon expedition about the woman, but I told her to not go overboard.
What could this person even do?
We had all our shit straight. What we needed was to keep our heads down and not get caught up with distractions. Mamí hadn’t liked it, but she’d agreed to leave it alone.
After a few more minutes of walking around aimlessly, my thoughts drifted back to Jude.
I wasn’t looking to get involved. My last relationship went down in flames, because running the truck was not exactly conducive to keeping boyfriends. And with the timeline I’d set for myself here, the grind would be even more intense than usual. Jude seemed like a lot of fun though, and fuck, I needed a little fun in my life.
My mom was right. I had zero balance right now.
I lived and breathed for OuNYe and at some point, it was going to be a problem. I might actually ask Jude out for that drink the next time I saw him. If anything, I had to admit he’d been the first guy who caught my attention in a very long time.
I was mulling over Jude and all the things I needed to prepare for the Farmers’ Market, when my phone buzzed with a text. I pulled it out of my pocket and grinned when I saw the message.
Hey primo! I just stopped by Tía’s and she said you’d just left. I’m having a drink with Easton if you’d like to join us.
It was from my cousin Priscilla. She was a police detective downstate but came up pretty often to see her parents. Easton was one of her best friends and an assistant district attorney in town. He was also very much out and proud. He was an okay dude, and I quickly realized, someone who could help out with my pathetic social life.
I texted back after figuring out where I was.
SI! POR FAVOR. I’m just walking on Buffalo, by The Commons. Close?
After a second the three dots popped up on the screen.
We’re at Ophelia’s. Just go to MLK and walk away from Commons, it’ll be on your right. You’re five minutes away.
I quickly fired back.
See you in five then.
I turned back toward MLK Street, already feeling a hell of a lot better. Making my way to meet Pri, I tried to stop my rambling mind and appreciate my surroundings.
After years of coming to Ithaca for holidays and summers to see my mom and sister, the place was pretty familiar. Though I always enjoyed my visits here, I’d never given it much thought as a potential place to live. Now I was looking at these streets through a new lens, sizing it up as a potential home base. Nothing would ever come close to New York City. It was useless to even try to compare.
This place had something though, it was like the people herewantedto be here. I could appreciate why my mom loved it. It was quaint and eccentric at the same time. The kind of place where you’d walk by the window of a cozy little bookstore, then look more closely to find a display of the latest BDSM erotica.
As I walked up the street to the bar, I saw a rainbow flag proudly fluttering in the evening breeze. Above the maroon doorway was the sign forOphelia’s Cosmic Lounge.
I stepped in and immediately decided it would be my favorite bar in Ithaca. It was decorated in a fifties theme, with lots of chrome and vinyl and a blue-and- white checkered floor. There was a little stage to the far-right end of the room with musicians setting up, and old Robyn song was playing on the speakers.
I looked over at the bar and saw the menu on the wall featured cocktails with names that made me laugh out loud. It was not a very big place, could not fit more than forty people, but almost every seat was taken and everyone looked and sounded like they were having a great time. Of course Pri would come through suggesting an awesome place.
I scoped out the crowd trying to spot her and Easton, then saw them sitting at the end of the bar talking to a very pretty bartender, with tattoo sleeves on both arms and a gorgeous head of auburn hair.
As I started walking toward them, Pri saw me and waved furiously. She stood up when I reached her and offered me her cheek to do the Dominican kiss and hug combo. I picked her up instead, making her squeal.
“Nesto! Chacho, stop. Jesus, you dothe most. What’s wrong with you?”
I laughed, putting her down. “Aww, come on, prima. I haven’t seen you in so long. You looking fly. Love that dress.”
She preened and smoothed the front of her dress, which had about twenty colors and three different patterns. On anyone else it would have been too much, but it looked great on her. Pri was the perfect combination of her parents—she had deep brown skin like my uncle, and my aunt’s gorgeous curly brown hair and hazel eyes. She had curves for days, too, but the most beautiful thing about her was how she carried herself.
