Page 57 of Sweet Heart

“Cálmate, Cat. It’s just me.”

“Tú eres una idiota. Why would you sneak up on me like that? How did you even get in without making a noise?”

Her eyebrows shoot up, and she lets out a laugh.

“Cat, I knocked.”

“¿Cómo?”

“Sí. I knocked, but you didn’t answer.” A flicker of amusement flashes over her face. “But I guess I know why now.”

“Carmen…” I warn, but she just slides beside me on the couch.

“Oh, come on, Cat. You always tell me everything.”

It’s true, I do. But this… thing… that is happening between Mary and me, it’s not like anything else. It’s something different, something unique. And it feels like I have to guard it before it slips away.

“How did you even know?”

I settle my gaze on her, curious about what gave it away. If she can name it, I can hide it better. After all, there are more inquiring minds who would want to know.

“Really?”

She almost sounds offended, and I frown in confusion.

“Yes.”

Carmen clacks her tongue and rolls her eyes.

“You had a week from hell, disappeared on me after that highway crash incident, and didn’t respond to any of my texts or calls over the weekend.”

My cheeks flush at that. I don’t usually leave her messages unanswered. Not unless something is really wrong and I can’t find the energy to reply. I open my mouth to say just that when she raises her finger. My jaw snaps shut again. Dios, she is like my mother.

“And then you have the audacity to stroll into the ER…”

“I don’t stroll.”

“…looking like you haven’t slept for days and still have this magical glow about you.”

“I don’t glow.”

Carmen raises her eyebrows again and inclines her head.

“On the contrary, mi amiga. You very much do.”

“Come on, Car, be real with me. What gave it away?”

She laughs softly and shakes her head.

“Not buying it, huh?”

When I don’t reply, she sighs and shakes her head again.

“Fine, spoilsport. You smiled.”

“What?”

“That’s what gave you away, Cat. You never smile.”