“Leave it. I like it.”
“I’m not keeping ‘Romeo’ in my phone.”
“Sure you are. It’s growth for you. Learning to be less serious.” He’s unbuckling his seatbelt. “Plus, if you’re this worked up about it, that says more about you than me, Ice Queen.”
My face heats up. “I’m not worked up. It’s just stupid.”
“Stupid and yet you’re still smiling.”
“I’m not—” I am smiling. I can feel it. “Get out of my car.”
“So romantic. Just like the balcony scene.”
“Rodriguez—”
“See? Much safer to stick with the last name.” He opens the door, cold air rushing in. “Text me later, JuJu!”
“It’s Juliette!”
His response is a text.
Rodriguez
“Oranges?” I ask, looking up at him through the open door.
“Representing my juggling talents. Very sophisticated friendship communication.”
“That’s the least sophisticated thing I’ve ever seen.”
“You love it though.”
I roll my eyes but my cheeks hurt from smiling. “Go to PT before they give away your time slot.”
“So bossy. I like it.” He waves and heads inside, moving carefully on his injured knee.
I sit there for a moment, replaying the past hour in my mind.
I just spent an hour with Rodriguez. We had coffee. We talked about stupid things like fruit juggling and worst dates. He made me laugh. He made me a playlist for a twenty-minute drive.
And for the first time in two months, I didn’t think about Garrett for an entire hour.
My phone buzzes in my lap.
Rodriguez
Thanks again for the ride. And for giving me a chance. Even if it’s just as friends.
(I’m going to be a VERY ANNOYING FRIEND)
(Fair warning)
I text back, my thumbs moving quickly.
I figured that out in September.
Rodriguez
And yet here we are
