Page 41 of Yours, For Now

He took a few steps into my place, and put his hands in his pockets. "That's cool. And a bit surprising, to be honest."

I gazed around the room for any last-second things that needed to be put away. Mess wasn't my MO generally, but I needed to put the nervous energy running through my limbs somewhere.

I straightened and stole a glance at my friend. "I know."

"Hello?"

Lina appeared by the doorway, and Jake and I turned to her.

"Hey!" I strode to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Glad you made it."

"Hi, Gabe." She entered my home after I invited her in with a sweep of my arm.

I closed the door behind us, while Jake shook her hand.

"Lina." He gave her a friendly nod. "We've met before, at the gala a couple of years ago."

She smiled, and the sight stole a grin out of me. Lina tended toward being closed off, and the friendly gesture was rare. I wasn't surprised, Jake was the friendliest giant ever.

"Did Gabe invite you to work with us?" She asked. Her grin stayed, and it imbued warm fuzzies into my stomach. "I brought food. Plenty for three. My mom made frijoles charros today and sent enough for an army."

"That sounds delicious, but I need to go home," my best friend said. "I'm in the middle of a project I'm late for."

As friendly as Jake was, I expected him not to tell Lina what the project was about. I knew, as his best friend, just like I knew not to say anything. Jake was pretty private about his music.

"Can we still give you some?" Lina asked. "It really is a lot of food."

Jake looked at me, like asking for permission.

"Of course," I said. "Come with us. Take her food, then run away."

"It'll be my pleasure." He gave me a cheeky smirk.

Jake and Lina followed me to the kitchen. My friend sat at the island, elbows on the white stone covering it. Lina brought her cooler bag and put it on the quartz surface, her eyes all over my place.

"Your home is beautiful, Gabe. That view is amazing. Must be one of the best in the city."

Both Jake and I looked out the window. The city lights sparkled in the darkening landscape. After living here for a few years I had stopped appreciating the sight; with new eyes, I checked my place too, imagining what it might look like to Lina: the two-tone counters in gray and white, with bronze hardware, in an open space with a 6-place dining table and living room. Violeta had helped me decorate the space, making sure it wasn't devoid of personality, and pops of color contrasted with the mid-century lines of the furniture.

"Thanks. My sister helped me set it up." I stepped closer to Lina. "What do you need?"

She pulled out a big plastic container full of food from the bag. "Can I get a pot? My mom made me promise to reheat this the right way. No microwaves allowed."

I took a pot out of the drawer behind me and put it on the gas stove by the wall.

"Can I also get a ladle?"

My brain malfunctioned— or gifted me with an opportunity my awareness didn't compute— but I stretched around her to reach for the utensil drawer. My torso brushed against her back and she buckled… a soft wave curving her vertebrae at the touch.

I released a breath in surprise at the stolen moment. Tiny hairs on her neck fluttered, and I thought I heard an almost silent gasp escape her.

"Right, well." Jake cleared his throat. "I won't tell your mom if you don't, but I'll just warm up mine in my microwave at home. I really am in a rush. And maybe I'm not the only one…"

I made myself smile at Jake, like the whole situation had been on purpose. Like my fingers didn't shake as I took the ladle and gave it to Lina, who took it and added frijoles charros to the bowl I gave her next.

"Thank you." Jake took the bowl and got up. "I really appreciate it."

He waved at us and left. I turned to Lina and opened my mouth to say something, but she beat me to it.