Page 76 of Cava with My Colleague

“You and Jade.”

“There is no ‘me and Jade.’ She’s my colleague.”

“Uh-huh.” He’s not even trying to hide his amusement now. “Is that why you looked so disappointed when you realized it was me and not her when you woke up?”

My face heats. “I didn’t⁠—”

“You did. I saw it.” He leans back, crossing his arms. “And she called me from your phone last night, using your emergency contact info. Stayed until Diana came home from work at eleven. She made sure someone would be here with you. That’s not ‘colleague’ behavior, Dad.”

“She’s just being professional⁠—”

“Professional would be telling you to go home and that’s it. And this morning? She shows up before work, clearly worried about you.”

“She’s conscientious⁠—”

“Dad.” Fernando’s voice is gentle now. “You like her.”

The words land like a punch to the chest.

“Sure, as a⁠—”

“Dad. I think she might feel the same way.”

“She’s leaving.”

“I noticed.”

We sit in silence for a moment. Izan has settled on top of my right feet, his warm weight a comfort.

“Even if . . .” I start, then stop. “It doesn’t matter. She’s going back to Austin. Her life is there. Mine is here. With you and Diana and Carmen.”

“Our lives are here,” Fernando corrects. “But Dad . . . we’re not enough of a reason to be alone.”

“I’m not alone⁠—”

“You are, though.” He leans forward, elbows on his knees. “You have us, yes. And we love you. But that’s not the same as having a partner. Someone who brings you home when you’re sick and makes sure you eat and calls your family because she’s worried.”

“We agreed,” I say quietly. “Professional only.”

“Then why did she look like her heart was breaking when you said there was one presentation left?”

I don’t have an answer for that.

Fernando stands, collecting our empty bowls. “Just . . . think about it, okay? What you want versus what you think you should want.”

He disappears into the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my dog and the ghost of citrus-scented shampoo still lingering in my apartment.

I may have feelings for Jade. I may like her.

And I’m running out of time to figure out what to do about it.

27

Carlos

* * *

The next evening, I’m feeling human again. The fever broke, my energy returned, and I’ve been working from home, catching up on everything I missed while being sick.