I angle my head towards him. “Umm, how far did you snoop? Because the post I created when I went to her pop-up exhibit in Chelsea was one of my first posts. Also, was that a requirement?”
“No. I mean, part of the hiring process does include a social media scan. Ralph said it wasn’t necessary given…”
“Who my dad is,” I interrupt, immediately irritated with myself for inserting him into a moment he doesn’t belong.
“That, and since he made it clear your position was temporary. Anyway, enough about that. Me and Rosa had a casual fling, years ago, and we stay in contact every once in a while. But I assure you it’s just as friends.”
“I know,” I say with confidence, knowing I don’t have a reason to not believe him.
“When I saw you were a fan of hers, I couldn’t help myself. I’ve been wanting to give you something that showcased how I feel about you. Flowers, although beautiful, die. Jewelry also came to mind, but no diamond, big or small, could ever be as sentimental to you as the one you have on your finger already. And then it dawned on me. Since we both love art, why not have something commissioned that encompassed us?”
“I love it. Especially as now my art can exist next to hers.”
Tomás stares at me, blankly.
“I took some art courses at NYU, and this room was part of my assignment. I know often times in art; mirrors are viewed as portals to other worlds or tied to the supernatural. But I wanted this to be a more self-reflective piece. My intention was to have one person in the room at a time, ironically in dim candlelight like you have it now, and stare long enough, from varying angles that you see beyond the physical, and become connected with the self we don’t always show the world.”
“Looks like I will be learning something new about you every day, huh?”
“Maybe.”
We both smile as I correct myself. “Definitely.”
“That’s okay, I’m up for the challenge.”
Just as I’m about to thank him for this amazing gift, my phone vibrates.
Noah
Almost there
My brows furrow reading the message.
“What’s wrong?” Tomás asks.
“Nothing. Noah texted me but I think he meant to send it to someone else.”
Tomás’ mutters to himself. “I should’ve known. Stoners.” He shakes his head.
“I’m lost.”
He places my phone in his pocket, exchanging it for his. “No, you’re not,” he says, pressing a button on his phone.
Too Sweet,an EDM remix of the Hozier track fills the small space. A perfect blend of his music taste and mine.
“You’re exactly where you’re meant to be. With me, gifting me with our first official dance as husband and wife.”
We dance slow. No spins. No fancy movements. Just swaying softly, wrapped up in one another, as if we are the only people in the world. And for the time being we are. That is until the song ends, and the silence is quickly replaced by a knock at the door.
“Are you expecting someone?”
“Multiple someone’s,” he jokes as the knocking progresses.
Gabriella’s voice emerges unexpectedly. “I’ve been trying to eavesdrop, but the music was too loud. Are you two done? We want to come in.”
“We?” I look to Tomás.
“I know I said we were due for a proper first date, but since we have made it tradition to do everything ass backwards, as you like to say, I thought it’d be nice to not only show off my beautiful wife, but to celebrate with our friends and family. That is, if it’s okay with you.”
