AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I let the words wash over me, already knowing in the short time that I’ve known him that he speaks best through the music he shares with me. So I listen to what he is telling me, through this song. And my heart beats faster with every word I hear. And I hear the message he is asking me through the music.
I wait until the song ends and as that last note rings out, I say, “Okay.”
I don't know how, but he immediately knows what I mean and he turns me to face him, cups my face again and kisses me. He kisses me and kisses me until he pulls away, but I accept it. I understand now, about him not wanting to rush this. I understand what he feels about wanting to savor this, about wanting to make this last forever. This feeling of freefall and excitement, of uncertainty and hope. I don’t know where this thing between us is going, but I know I want to savor it too.
And I think that I want this to last forever.
TWENTY-ONE
NOW, FALL
I tell Maddie that my phone isn’t working so if I don’t answer, that’s why. I hate lying to her, but I know that I couldn’t turn my phone off and not respond to her or she would think something was wrong and come to check on me.
I’m sure she realizes that I’m full of shit, she knows me too well. But she doesn’t push me.
But my phone stays off all day. I get so much more work done than normal because I’m trying even harder to keep my mind busy. I’m trying even harder to forget that I betrayed Hayden yesterday when I was entertaining conversations with David. Flirting with him. With another man.
You didn’t betray him, that annoying little voice repeats in my mind.
“Cállate,” I mutter to the voice. Shut up.
My desk phone rings and startles me. “Ana Reyes,” I answer.
“Hey, Ana. Sorry to bother you, it’s Ed.” Our receptionist downstairs.
“No bother at all. What can I do for you?”
“Your mother is on the line for you,” he says, and I can almost hear the nervousness in his voice.
“What?” I ask without thinking. “Uhm, put her through. Sorry about that, Ed.”
He reassures me that it’s no problem. The line rings before I hear my mama’s voice fill my ear.
“¿Por qué no contestas tu teléfono? ¿Estás tratando de darme un ataque al corazón? Estoy enferma de preocupación.” Why aren’t you answering your phone? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I’ve been worried sick.
I pull my phone away from my ear for a moment, but I can still hear the string of hurried and frantic Spanish pouring out of the phone’s speaker. I put it back to my ear.
She continues in Spanish, “You can’t just disappear like that Ana. You know I think of the worst possible things happening to you.”
When I can finally get a few words in I say in Spanish, “Mama, I’m sorry. I should have told you that I was turning my phone off.”
“Why were you turning your phone off?” Always so nosey.
“Because…” I cringe, continuing the lie, “It wasn’t working and I was hoping that turning it off for a bit would help. Also, I’ve given you my extension, why don’t you use that? You can’t be calling the building and harassing the poor receptionist.”
“I’ve told you I don’t understand what the extensions are, Ana,” she snaps at me. I sigh.
“What is the big emergency, Mama?” I ask. “Why are you calling me while I’m at work?”
“Oh there has to be an emergency for me to check on my baby? I can’t just call to see how my daughter is doing?” she asks.
I reign in an eye roll before saying, “Of course not, Mama. You can call me anytime.”
“When are you coming to visit?” she asks.
I sigh. “Soon. I promise.”
“Té amo, mí amor.”
