Chapter Three #3
“Since you don’t have an office to go to tomorrow, want to meet me at the hotel?
” Caitlin swirled the wine in her glass, a cat-who-got-the-cream expression on her face.
“They put me up at the Biltmore, and I’m scheduled to visit the spa to create content for some of the new services. Want a facial? Or a massage?”
God, I really loved Caitlin’s job sometimes. “That would be a dream.” A thought occurred to me, and I smirked. “Is that why you didn’t want to stay with me on this trip? Because you’re staying at a fancy hotel?”
The corner of Caitlin’s lips tipped up. “I love what I do, even though the travel can be exhausting.”
We spent the next thirty minutes discussing the places Caitlin had traveled to recently before the conversation pivoted to Alex’s new job and how we thought the Scorpions would fare during the rest of the WNBA season.
As we ate our entrées, he entertained us with stories about working for the Cosmos and the celebrities he’d met.
The conversation never returned to me and my unemployment, and I was thankful.
Until I was ready to tell Caitlin about the Matildas, I didn’t want to talk about myself because chances were good I would let the information slip and Caitlin would be hurt I had left her in the dark.
Which made me even more thankful that Alex hadn’t disclosed the information, either.
But then, perhaps he had his own reasons for not revealing it.
Because to do so would mean he’d have to share that he knew me already…
and maybe telling his beautiful and talented new girlfriend that he met her best friend on social media would be embarrassing to admit.
Shit, was I someone’s embarrassing secret?
Over my objections, Alex paid for our meal and drinks, and we wandered outside to chat on the sidewalk.
“Come to the room around ten o’clock. Does that work?” When I nodded, Caitlin beamed a smile and threw her arms around my neck. “I’m so glad we’ll get to spend time together, especially because I’ll be leaving the day after.”
My mood crashed immediately. “So soon.” I glanced at Alex, who stood nearby with his hands in his pockets. “I thought you might be able to stay longer…” I murmured, dipping my head slightly in his direction. Surely she wanted to spend time with her new boyfriend.
A frown twisted Caitlin’s mouth. “Sadly, not this time. I have to get back to New York for an event next weekend.”
“Always on the go.” I embraced Caitlin again. “I’m happy I’ll have time to spend with you tomorrow.”
“Me, too.” Pulling back, Caitlin smiled before her gaze swung to Alex. “Oh, hey, you guys should swap numbers. Alex mentioned wanting a connection to the Puerto Rican scene here in the valley, and I happen to know the funniest, smartest, most beautiful boricua this side of the Mississippi.”
“Only this side?” I remarked, hoping my blithe tone did not hint at my sudden nervousness.
“You’re so modest. Just another of your stellar attributes.
” Caitlin squeezed my arm when I laughed.
“In all seriousness, I thought you might be able to help Alex get his footing here in the valley. Show him the best places to eat. Maybe take him to that panadería by your house that has those tasty pan dulces.”
“Sure,” I murmured, although my heart was pounding in my ears. Did Caitlin really want me to show her boyfriend around? Wouldn’t that make things awkward?
I glanced at Alex. He raised his brows when I met his eyes and said, “If you don’t mind, of course.”
We had exchanged direct messages for a week and even video chatted, but I was still surprised that Alex was willing to leave the ball in my court. It seemed like a very gentlemanly thing to do, and despite my apprehensions, I was comforted by his caution.
“Not at all. I’m more than happy to be your valley tour guide,” I said. Taking out my phone, I opened a new contact and typed Alex under the first name. I held my phone out to him mutely.
My phone looked small in his big hands, but his thumbs flew across the keys before he handed it back to me. Alex Castillo, and a number with a 917 area code was now saved under the contact.
“Want to text me so I have your number?” he asked, just a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Oh, yeah,” I mumbled, quickly opening the messaging app.
Hi. It’s Sofia. was all I typed before hitting send.
His phone vibrated, and when he glanced down at it, I turned quickly to say goodbye to Caitlin. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Have a good night,” she said, looping her arm through Alex’s once again.
“Good night,” Alex murmured softly, pivoting away with Caitlin.
For several long moments, I simply watched them walk away, arm in arm. Caitlin was speaking because Alex dipped his head ever so slightly down to her, and something about their pose felt intimate. Like I was intruding where I wasn’t supposed to.
And I was. Caitlin had met Alex in New York and then traveled here to see him again.
I didn’t know what that meant for them long term, but I knew I needed to keep my distance.
Alex and I may have interacted through weird internet circumstances, but we knew each other in real life now.
He was dating one of my favorite people in the world, and I would respect their relationship, whatever that may be. I would learn more about them tomorrow.
Until then, I inhaled until my lungs felt ready to burst and then turned away from their retreating forms and walked to my car alone.