Piper
The idea about ableist businesses had been a huge hit with the bigwigs at Action News. As it happens, Mr. Edward’s nephew was autistic and had experienced his share of ableism in stores, so it was something he was all too happy to have us tackle. I even gave credit for the idea to Alonso, who had looked at me with surprise.
After several phone calls and finding some great resources, I told Alonso we were heading back to his sister’s place.
“What? Why?”
“I’m doing an interview for the piece on ableism. And you can ogle that desk clerk.” Wagging my eyebrows, I grabbed my bag and made sure I had my phone.
A scowl crossed his face. “Wendy? Really?”
I burst into laughter. “Okay, maybe it’s more like she ogles you.”
Alonso scratched the stubble on his chin and winked at me. “Jealous?”
My nose scrunched up automatically. “Hardly.” And yet, that wink did things I was not prepared for. I dug in my purse looking for nothing until I could regain my composure.
“Oh, well, in that case, maybe I should get her phone number.” He pretended to slick his hair back, which only resulted in his curls springing all over the place and my heart fluttering a little.
The ride was quiet, and I found myself contemplating the change that had occurred in my heart recently. I hated Alonso Ortiz. For years. But after the past several weeks, I found that not only did I not hate him, but I kind of liked him. A lot. My heart rate would increase and my body would flush when he called my name. His infrequent, work-related texts caused my breath to hitch.
But he’s my co-worker and not only are inter-office romanced frowned upon, but I would have to still work with him if we broke up. When we broke up. Because he was adamant about his confirmed bachelorhood, so there would be a breakup at some point. So why bother?
When I shook my head at my own inner-conversation, Alonso looked my way. “You okay, Piper?”
My cheeks flushed as he said my name. “Um, yeah. Sorry. I was just arguing with myself in my head.” My attempt at a chuckle came out more like a choke.
“Who won?”
“What?”
“Who won the argument in your head?” He smiled wide, showing off his perfectly straight teeth.
Embarrassed, I looked down, unable to hide the grin that crept onto my own face. “Well, I guess I did.”
He slapped my knee. “Well, then, good job.”
We both started to laugh as we pulled into Maggie’s apartment complex. She was waiting for us outside, wearing the tiara I had gotten her and an adorable halter maxi dress.
With a kiss, Alonso greeted his sister and asked why she was so dressed up.
“For the story, dummy.” Maggie rolled her eyes.
Looking for a shady spot, I pointed to where I wanted to set up. “Over there, please.”
“Where’s your interviewee?” He truly looked like he had no idea.
Maggie and I both looked at Alonso with confusion. I put my hands on Maggie’s shoulders. “She’s the star on the piece. I want her to tell everyone about that nasty saleswoman. No names, just share her experience.” I crossed my arms and tapped my foot as I waited for him to pick his jaw up off the ground.
“No.” He stared at me, his face expressionless.
“No? Why?” Maggie tilted her head to the side. “I want to be on TV.”
Grabbing me by the shoulders, Alonso pulled me aside and whispered to me. “Piper, people will make fun of her. They’ll judge her.”
His concern for his sister was evident. But his understanding that she was a woman who deserved to be treated normally was clearly lacking.
“Everyone on the news gets judged. But Maggie faced this discrimination firsthand just recently. And she offered to be interviewed. It was her choice.” I crossed my arms and stood firm.
“Not my sister.” He was being incredulous and overprotective. Maggie was entirely capable of doing the interview, she wanted to do it, and he was stopping it?
Maggie approached us and pointed her finger into Alonso’s chest. “Ali, I am a grown woman. You are being just as bad as that saleswoman. You think because I’m different I can’t do this. But I can. Stop holding me back.”
Shame filled Alonso’s face and he hugged his sister close. “You’re right, Mags. I was holding you back. Because I love you and I never want to see you hurt. But you are grown and you can make your own decisions. I’m sorry.”
Then the wisest words I had ever heard came from Maggie Ortiz. “Everyone gets hurt from time to time. But being an adult means you pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. I can do that, Alonso. You just have to let me.”
We set up for the interview and Maggie was flawless, just as I expected she would be. Paired with another interview and some statistics, we had a compelling piece that I couldn’t wait to share. I just hoped the woman from the store caught it.
Lunch with Maggie was a given and she was certain she was about to get her fifteen minutes of fame. I adored every minute with her and promised to call her once the piece was ready to air.
On the way back to the studio, Alonso sighed and looked at me. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” I eyed him, unsure where this apology was coming from.
“For not seeing my sister as a capable adult. She’s still just a little girl in my mind. But you see her as a grown woman and I know she appreciates it.”
I patted him in the arm. He was a good brother. “She’s the one you need to apologize to.”
“I did. But I wanted you to know I’ve seen the err of my ways. But she’s all the family I have left and I just want to protect her. I’ve lost everyone else. I can’t lose Maggie, too.”
My heart ached for him and his sister. They had experienced a lot of loss. “I can’t imagine. My sister and I aren’t close at all, but I would still be devastated if something happened to her.”
“How did you pick yourself back up and keep going?” He looked over at me as we sat at a red light.
“What?”
Through a grimace, he mumbled. “How did you pick yourself back up after you ended things with your fiancé?”
Oh. How had I done that? “I had to. It wasn’t easy, but what choice did I have? I didn’t want a husband who was so nonchalant not only about having a girl on the side but getting her pregnant to boot. Life must move on, and I’m proud to say I’ve survived one hundred percent of my bad days so far. I have a good track record.”
“So it seems.” His grin was a little dull, but still there. I thought Alonso seemed a little more introspective as we made our way into the parking lot.
Back at the studio, we parted ways and went to our respective desks. After about twenty minutes, though, Alonso texted me.
Alonso: Come see Maggie’s piece. She’s amazing.
Piper: Told you so.
Alonso: You sure did. Thank you.
Piper: You’re welcome.
I stared at the phone for a moment, a smile playing across my lips. The unsteady stomach flips returned and I was hesitant to push them away for once.
Maria approached my desk, her long hair neatly pulled over one shoulder. “Girl, who put that smirk on your face? It must be a man.”
I quickly put my phone in my desk drawer. “Oh, no. Well, from a man, yes, but it’s just about a story I’m working on. Nothing that exciting.”
“A group is going to P’s and Cues after work to play pool. Want to join us?” She tapped her navy blue nails on my desk.
“Oh, maybe.”
Leaning in closer, she whispered. “Could you ask AO to come? He’s so hot. Maybe we can play strip pool.”
Never had my heart leaped in my chest like that. Even when I found out Henry had cheated on me I had not been this shocked. Maybe I had subconsciously known that things with Henry wouldn’t have worked out. But I had absolutely no claim on Alonso Ortiz, and I knew it.
Swallowing hard, I nodded to Maria. “I’ll mention it to him.”
“Thanks, girl. I’d love to get my hands on him.” She winked and went off to her own desk. I watched her sit down and reapply her bold, red lipstick.
Knots filled my stomach. Alonso wasn’t mine in any sense of the word, so I had no right to the feelings I was having. But I knew jealousy when it reared its ugly head. Maria was my friend and she deserved happiness. And maybe Alonso was my friend now. Maybe. And he deserved to find someone, if he wanted someone.
I remembered I was supposed to see Maggie’s piece, so I made my way to his edit bay. “How does she look?”
“She’s on fire. Thank you for doing this.” Alonso’s eyes pierced my own, a warmth in them I could not help but notice.
“Um, Maria said a group is going to P’s and Cues tonight and said everyone is invited. She, um, told me to pass the word along, so...” I stammered. I was not usually one for stammering.
“Are you going?”
“I’m not sure.”
Without another word, Alonso pulled up Maggie’s part for the story and showed it to me. She was poised and well-spoken. It wasn’t long, but it was well done.
“She’s going to love this. I think it’s perfect for the story.” I shook Alonso’s arm with excitement.
His hand fell over top of mine as a smile lit up his face. In the span of a breath both our faces stilled and we became hyper-aware of our hands on each other. My breath hitched as my eyes searched his. What was this? What was going on?
Alonso licked his lips and I had an urge to taste him. I wondered what he tasted like. Cinnamon and spices, maybe. That Mexican mole sauce I knew he loved. The need to find out was incredibly strong.
“Come tonight? To P’s and Cues?” His voice was low, almost a whisper.
Unable to tear my eyes from his, I could only nod. I felt his forearm flex under my hands.
The air around us shifted as Tyrell’s voice bounced into my head. “Hey, AO...” He stopped upon seeing me. Alonso and I broke apart quickly. Tyrell laughed and raised an eyebrow, but continued to talk. “Hey, AO and Piper, pool tonight at P’s and Cues. I think Ashley and I are going to go.”
Ashley was all Tyrell talked about, seeing as they were newly engaged. I had met her once and she seemed sweet, if not a little shallow. But she came from old money and enjoyed the finer things in life. Alonso, it seemed, was to be a groomsman for his friend.
Alonso turned away from me to Tyrell. “Yeah, we were just talking about that. Maria invited Piper. I think I’ll be there. Piper?” An expectant stare met my gaze, full of unspoken questions.
My smile was too wide, I knew, but I couldn’t help it. “I hope so. We’ll see.” I stood and smoothed down my dress. “Let me know when you have the rest of that package ready, Alonso. Maybe see you later, Tyrell.”
I scurried away, unsure why I felt guilty or embarrassed when I had done nothing wrong. Except, maybe, open my heart up a little more to Alonso Ortiz.