Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CAMILA
Without either of them putting much thought into it, this little hangout stretches on for days.
Valeria still goes to work, but somehow, after each shift, Camila finds her on her porch waiting, and each day, the warmth in Camila’s chest spreads, a gentle heat that loosens her shoulders and makes her breathe deeper.
It’s almost magical to see Valeria with a bright, big smile waiting for her.
The moment Camila spots her, her lips curve upwards, mirroring Valeria’s smile, and a lightness fills her limbs, making her feel as though she could float.
By Wednesday morning—three days into Valeria’s stay—she’s padding around Camila’s kitchen like she lives there, hair piled on top of her head, sleeves swallowed past her hands in one of Camila’s favorite long sleeves, not that Camila is complaining; she likes the company, and Valeria pulls off her clothes better than she ever could.
By the end of the first week, they’ve fallen into easy routines: sharing the couch each night, Valeria tucked into one corner and Camila in the other, legs brushing occasionally as they watch a show they’re both far too invested in, and making a lazy Sunday trip to the corner market for groceries.
The following Wednesday, they spend the evening folding laundry together on the floor, knees bumping now and then, talking about nothing important, though it always somehow feels like it is.
By the third weekend, it’s as simple as automatically brewing two cups of coffee in the morning, each of them reaching for the mug that’s somehow become theirs without either ever saying so.
But by the time Valeria’s been at Camila’s house for almost a month, Camila can’t ignore the fact that she’s got no plan to leave—again, not complaining—and that Valeria is clearly dodging real life without Brooke.
As much as Camila wants to let her hide out in her home forever, she shouldn’t be enabling that. No matter how much she understands it.
But it’s been nice having Valeria here; it’s reminded Camila that she’s missed this, having someone to do all the mundane things with, which is why she’s decided to finally take Zoe up on her invitation to dinner.
Camila had been putting it off with the excuse that Valeria needed her, only to realize she didn’t want to go because, well, she would rather spend time with Valeria—something she has decided not to unpack yet.
On top of that, Camila hasn’t been on a date in years.
Zoe’s invitation would likely have been turned down if she hadn’t made it clear she didn’t want a relationship but wanted to take Camila to dinner—and who is she to deny herself a night out?
Plus, it takes some nerves and stress off the table.
Camila is taking it as a test run, a dip of the toe into the dating world.
“Do you have any more of that cinnamon stuff?” Valeria points vaguely at the counter, snapping Camila out of thought.
“I’m making it now,” she replies, pouring boiling water into a container with sticks of cinnamon and sugar.
“You’re going to have to share your recipe with me. I’m obsessed with it in my coffee now. I haven’t thought about going to the coffee shop once!”
Camila glances over her shoulder at her, letting a grin tug at the corners of her mouth. “I’ll make some extra so you’ll have some to take home.” Camila regrets saying it the moment it’s out. The last thing she wants is for Valeria to feel unwelcome.
Valeria’s excitement falters, and she lets out a heavy sigh that cracks a piece of Camila’s soul.
“I’m so sorry. I’ve taken over your home. I know I should have left days ago, but everything feels safe here.”
Camila turns fully toward Valeria. “Hey, I don’t mind it. It’s been nice having company after work, and I’m sure Miso has loved the extra attention. You can stay as long as you need. I’m not going to tell you to go if you’re not ready.”
Valeria’s shoulders sink. “I know, I . . . I want to, I feel ready, but for whatever reason, I also don’t. I’m worried that the second I walk in there, everything will remind me of her and the six years we were together. I’m worried I won’t be able to handle it.”
“Trust me, I get it. You don’t have to go alone. I can go with you. If nothing more than to bring back whatever you need for work tomorrow.”
“Fuck.” Valeria paces the room. “I completely forgot.”
Honestly, Camila had, too. If it hadn’t been for the reminder she’d set on her phone, it would have completely slipped her mind.
“Do you want to call out one more time? You can stay here if you like.”
“No, no. I can’t keep imposing.”
Camila reaches for Valeria’s face instinctively, brushing her thumb along her cheek. “You’re not. Take the day off to prepare yourself, and we can go once I’ve returned from work.”
Valeria glances up at her, and that’s when Camila realizes how intimate this is. She drops her hand and steps back as casually as possible, but her heart is thundering in her chest. She’s not the tactile type, but something about Valeria makes her want to be.
“Tomorrow. Yeah, that sounds better. If you don’t mind me staying another night.”
“If your back doesn’t mind another night on the couch, neither do I, but I do have my date with Zoe. Do you mind being here alone?”
Valeria shakes her head. “I don’t mind. If that’s okay with you.”
“Of course it is!”
Miso walks into the kitchen and purrs as she rubs herself against Valeria’s legs.
“Miso and I will entertain ourselves.” Valeria reaches for Miso, placing her in her arms like a baby. “Won’t we, Miso?”
Miso meows.
“See? We’re all good! And I’ll do my best not to binge Severance without you.”
“You’d better not.” Camila points her finger at her, eyes narrowed.
Valeria laughs. “Will you be home after work, or are you going straight there?”
“Probably going straight there.”
“What are you going to wear?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. Something maybe a little more put-together than my usual baggy pants and T-shirt. I can almost guarantee she’s going to show up in a suit, looking absolutely amazing.”
Valeria sets Miso down on the counter. “Well, let’s go,” she says, grabbing Camila’s hand and guiding them toward the main bedroom.
The second they walk into Camila’s closet, Valeria taps her chin, looking around. “Where are you guys going?”
“Some Thai restaurant in Bellevue.”
“Did she give you a name?”
“She did.” Camila fishes her phone out of her pocket, not remembering the name. “Here,” Camila says, showing Valeria.
“Okay, looks kind of fancy.” Valeria turns back toward Camila’s clothes, sifting through it all before saying, “I think you should wear these black fitted cargo pants with this black button-down shirt.” Valeria hands Camila the hangers. “Try it on.”
It’s not a combination she would have come up with herself, but, for whatever reason, she trusts Valeria completely. Valeria steps out and closes the closet door behind her so Camila can change.
A few minutes later, the door opens again—and Valeria’s mouth drops open.
Camila freezes in the doorway, suddenly unsure, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
“Yes, absolutely, you look so hot, it’s so unfair,” Valeria says it so earnestly, and with such a brightest smile, that Camila instantly believe her
Camila’s cheeks flush, and her stomach flutters with nervous energy.
She heads toward the full-length mirror on the other side of her room and takes herself in. She looks great. It’s casual enough that she won’t feel overdressed at work and dressy enough that she won’t feel underdressed next to what is sure to be a beautiful and well put-together Zoe.
“What do you think?” Valeria asks, standing right next to Camila, eyeing her in the mirror.
“I think you’re going to have to dress me for all of my dates from here on out.”
“Oh, hush, it’s all you. You can pull anything off. I wasn’t sure the combo would work, but it does on you!” Valeria watches her for a second, something soft in her expression, before exhaling a quiet, breathless laugh.
Camila smiles, unable to speak, too focused on the warmth blooming in her cheeks. She ducks her head slightly, but she doesn’t look away.
Before long, they’re back on their morning routine—breakfast at the table, sneaking in one more episode of their show, packing lunch—until they both head out of the house.
“Here,” Camila says, handing Valeria the spare house key. “So you can let yourself in. I don’t know when I’ll be home.”
“Late, I hope.” Valeria wags her eyebrows.
“I don’t know about all that.” Camila rubs the back of her neck.
Valeria reaches for her other hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. “You should have fun tonight. I know it’s been a long time since you’ve been on a date, but you’re funny and kind, and Zoe is so, so lucky, not the other way around.”
Camila smiles. “Thank you.”
“Anytime!” Valeria lets go of Camila’s hand, and she has to keep herself from chasing it. The sudden coolness stings Camila’s palm, and a phantom warmth lingers, a ghost of Valeria’s touch.
Camila can’t help but think she must be starved for physical closeness if a simple touch from Valeria has her skin prickling, every nerve ending seemingly alight.
Valeria waves at Camila and climbs into her car, and without another thought, so does Camila.
Work goes by in a blur of paint, canvases, and a light video edit for Camila’s social media channels.
Before she knows it, it’s 5:30 p.m., and it’s time for her to head to the restaurant.
Camila hasn’t felt nerves like these in a long time.
She’d almost forgotten all about the first-date jitters, but they were there the entire thirty-minute drive, and only heightened as she neared the restaurant.
When she parks, she unplugs her phone from the car charger and takes a deep breath.
Her phone pings then, lighting up with Valeria’s name. Camila immediately clicks on it.
Valeria 6:03 p.m.:
You’ve got this!