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“Yeah, you’re not the only one.”
“Not the company thing. I’m pretty comfy with Leon. Just… saying this.” He sighed. “We were a couple of annoying brats, arguing over something that never mattered. Like you said. María’s favorite was only ever Queen Pearl. And I feel like a fucking idiot fighting with you over the idea.”
I smiled wryly. “So, we’re in agreement.”
“For once.”
I laughed. “Guess there’s a first time for everything. At least we can acknowledge we were both useful idiots at best.”
“I was trying to help you.”
“Yeah. You were. I was a little bitch about it.”
“I’d say.” Suddenly, spontaneously, he laughed. “Maybe I was, too.”
“No comment.”
“Tactful. Madres. I’ll tell Gabriela you’re looking. Don’t I look forward to seeing her get all excited…”
I turned my gaze back to the horizon, looking over to Miami Beach across the water, towers cutting out their skyline against the clear blue sky. “Thanks, Miguel. I owe you one.”
∞∞∞
It took until Ruth actually showed up at my front door for me to face her, talk to her. I knew it was her before I opened the door, but I didn’t even say anything, just pulled the door open and stepped back to let her in.
“Christ, so you are alive,” she said. “Would it have killed you to respond to any of my messages? You about gave me a heart attack.”
“Sorry.” And genuinely, I was. It had just always felt too… much, too real. “Been existing in a fever dream.”
She softened, leaning on the counter, giving me that concerned mom look she was always quick to give. “I’ll bet you are. Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” I rubbed my forehead. “Miguel got me in contact with Gabriela Vasquez. Might be able to score me a job in Sin City.”
She furrowed her brow. “Really? Just like that, up and moving to Vegas to chase down a girl who was in love with you?”
“Did everyone know except me that Gabriela was into me? I didn’t even know she was gay until after she’d left.”
“You’ve always been oblivious,” she sighed, petting Earl as he hopped up onto the chair next to her. “Perceptive as hell, and completely oblivious at the same time. Weird, that.”
I chewed my lip. “I… I’m not going on a whim. This is something I’ve worked through. Carefully.”
“You could find another job here no question. Your work at Queen Pearl—I know you got contacts.”
“It’s not about that. It’s just…” I shrugged hopelessly. “I feel like I’ve had enough of this city. Or maybe it’s that this city has had enough of me.”
She put a hand on my shoulder. “Girl. Look at yourself. I’ve got a question.”
I stopped, blinking fast. “What?”
“When was the last time you went to go see a movie?”
“Er…” I tilted my head. “I don’t know.”
“You can’t have had enough of this city. You haven’t done shit here. You and I are going out for a movie and some drinks at a big club I’ve been meaning to visit.”
I laughed, a nervous feeling in my stomach. “You’re not a little busy for that?”
“I’m still in training at that new job. Jessica doesn’t trust me with anything important right now. I’ve got time.”
