AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“A restaurant?”
I wince at the surprise in his voice. “Yeah. I think it could work.”
“Do you even know anything about restaurants, Zi? I thought you were a receptionist?” He’s quiet for a second, the only sound the clicking of his keyboard.
I open my mouth to tell him to forget it—
“Gotcha.” The thump of an overzealous keystroke stops me before I do. “It looks like the house belongs to a Dolores Rodriguez.”
“Wait, Dolores Rodriguez. Why do I know that name?” I close my eyes like it’ll help me remember. They pop back open. “Lola Rodriguez, the artist!” My childhood best friend, Rosa, was obsessed with her.
“The one and only.” Jackson chuckles down the line.
“You are officially the best, Jackson. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.” A baby sort of hope starts unfurling in my tummy as we say our goodbyes. I know exactly where to find her.
TEN
Mylo
I lean back on the kitchen counter and stare at my cell on the worktop. Cara. I had a missed call from her from last night. The shit with her feels like a lifetime ago… it feels like yesterday too.
“I can’t do this with you anymore.” Her gaze flicks down, then up to my face.
And every organ in me folds in on itself. Twists. I knew this was coming. I knew it the second she dropped my hand on the way out of the first doctor’s appointment. I knew it when she didn’t come near me after my operation. When she refused to touch me. Barely looked at me. I knew it was coming, but I froze. I froze and pretended I couldn’t see it. Couldn’t feel her pulling away. Because she knows. She knows I’m not the guy I used to be. That I can’t give her the life she went into this expecting. My jaw clenches, but I don’t say anything. Don’t make it easier. Don’t make it harder either. I knew this was coming.
Hazel eyes finally lift to my face and the only thing left there is pity.
I drain my protein shake and rinse out the glass. If it’s important, she’ll call back.
My cell buzzes. I glance at the screen, and her name flashing there roots me to the ground. I guess it’s important then.
I grab my T-shirt and tuck it into the waistband of my basketball shorts as I swipe the screen and lift my cell to my ear. “Cara.” Her name rolls off my tongue, familiar but foreign. We haven’t spoken since before I moved to Clua.
“Mylo?”
I can see her tucking her dark curls behind her ear. Slightly upturned nose. Hazel eyes. Her ever-pouting mouth. I wait for the sting that comes with the image. Wait for the gut flinch. The twist of loss. It doesn’t come. Impatience does. I glance at the clock on the kitchen wall. “What’s up?”
“No hi, how are you?”
Shaking my head, I pick up my backpack from the dining table as I pass through the living room on the way to the front door. “I’m busy. What’s up?”
“I’m calling about the house.”
“Has there been any interest?” I grab my keys from the console by the door and shove them into the side pocket of my backpack. I’d bet my last dollar her nose is wrinkled—two that she’s rolling her eyes at my bluntness. I don’t care.
“I’ve changed my mind…”
Surprise has me pausing at the front door, frowning like a dumb-ass at the dark wood. “About us?”
“What? Wait. No. I thought we’d… you know I don’t…”
The panic in her voice stings. I don’t want her back, but man, the thought of it makes her panic? Nice. “What have you changed your mind about?” I pull the door open and stride out.
“The house. I’ve met someone. He wants to buy your—”
In a whoosh of blonde, floral perfume and a startled squeal, my cell is knocked from my hand and a cheek is crushed against my chest. Skin on skin. It shocks the air from my lungs and every thought from my mind.
My reaction is automatic. My hands come up to grab slender biceps. Her cool hands press against my abs and her head jerks back, her forehead brushing my chin.
