Holy shit. She’s laughing, almost. And smiling a tiny bit. I point at the cinnamon roll I forgot to move with me. “Have some. I didn’t bite that side yet.”
She smiles at the offer. “I was hoping you’d be here.” Her voice is shaky.
We go through a brief recap of the day’s events. There’s so much more I want to know, but she’s still not exactly chatty. She thanks me for noticing her and helping save her from getting arrested. The conversation is awkward, but far more than she’s ever said to me.
I’m grateful that it worked. And I’m proud of myself for doing the hard thing. I also can’t stop worrying that Lennox and Blake aren’t here yet. Will they reach out?
My heart knows they will. My sex prays that they will. But my head worries that they’re using work as a copout. I chuckle to myself. Acop out. I must have paid a little attention in school to know that I made a pun.
It won’t be funny until I’m in their arms and can be sure their interest in me wasn’t part of the facade.
Ofelia takes a deep breath. “Thank you for looking out for me. No one’s ever done that.”
I want to say something funny or profound, but my heart is breaking for her. I settle for, “You’re welcome.”
Then the uncomfortable silence sets in. I can’t handle it. “What’s next for you?”
“I don’t know.”
Trena types excitedly on her phone and shows it to Ofelia. “Since my bestie fell in love and won’t be moving to Eggplant Canyon with me, maybe you want to come? I should have known not to give her a challenge.”
My heart tightens. Fell in love, yes I did. But did anyone else, or am I just fun until I’m not? Henry’s damning words haunt me. I smile weakly.
Trena fills Ofelia in on exactly what Eggplant Canyon is and her plan to move. Ofelia seems interested.
My stomach knots. Is my best friend replacing me that easily?
Trena continues, “Anyway, I found out they have an annual charity event called the Christmas Cherry Auction where the winning guys have the obligation of giving the woman they won a very good first time, if you know what I mean. No further commitment, although everyone ends up hitting it off.”
Ofelia looks a little overwhelmed.
Trena adds, “Applications just opened. Want me to send you the link?” She’s not usually so forward.
Should I tell her to give Ofelia a minute?
Ofelia pulls out her phone and says, “I can take a look.”
I think she’s going to search it for herself when she gives Trena her phone number. I nearly fall off my barstool.
Trena slyly says, “Mind if I add you as a contact?”
Hesitation. My heart beats in my throat. I grip the counter.
And Trena does it. Ofelia rattles off her phone number. “I’m Mandy.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Mandy. I’m Trena, with an E. I’ve seen you here so many times, I can’t believe we haven’t officially met.”
“Hi, Mandy, I’m Cecilia, but you probably knew that from my nametag.”
The bell over the door dings. Opening my mouth to greet the customer is my Pavlovian parallel to drooling. I chuckle at realizing one more thing I must have learned in school.
Trena looks at me as if expecting me to offer the greeting then her eyes go wide. I’m puzzled and follow her gaze.
Two men in button-up shirts, slacks, and glasses enter. One with a satchel and one with a couple of books.
It takes me a second for my brain to accept that they’re Lennox and Blake.
My heart beats so fast, I can’t breathe right.
