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“Tell the truth, now. How many boxes of Uncrustables did you buy after that first bite?” he asks, smirking.
I slowly smile at the question, the topic that makes me think maybe he’s been thinking about me, too. “I bought them out,” I say, grinning as I sip my drink.
“The only appropriate answer.”
The grocery store might have been one time, but the dance classes have been consistent. And with all these faces around, I can’t help but feel a little uneasy.
“Don’t tell them about it,” I say then.
He meets my eyes in question.
“The dance classes,” I clarify. “I’m sorry I’ve been acting like I don’t know you.”
“I’d tell you I’m not offended, but Iamconfused.” He gives a quiet laugh.
“It’s … complicated.”
He eyes me curiously. “Family usually is.”
I sigh loudly. “Complicated like you’re so sure they love you unconditionally, but sometimes things sure do feel conditional.”
The look on his face mirroring mine looks like he might have his own experiences, own grievances with it. The complications of family. The hard parts of it. The good parts, too.
“I love my family,” I start. “So much. But they’re also a lot. I like to think my cousins would support me no matter what, but who knows what would happen if the news inevitably traveled up the chain.” I take another sip, looking over at Delfina aiming for a corner shot. “Like I said, this whole thing is complicated.”
“Have you thought anymore about the milonga?”
Of course, I have. And of course, the answer is still no.“Yeah.”
“But you’re not going to do it.”
“What does it matter to you? You get commission on how many people show up?”
“Yeah. I’ve got bills to pay.”
“Seriously?”
“No,” he laughs. “I just think it would be good for you.”
“And what do you know about what would be good for me?” I snap back.
His smile drops abruptly. “Not a thing.”
“That was so shitty, I’m sorry.” Where did that even come from? “I appreciate your enthusiasm for this, I do. And I don’t expect you to understand my resistance to it, but I just don’t know how ready I am for something like that.”
“I’m sure you’re very busy,” he says in understanding. “I see you check your phone all the time. You frown at that thing more than any disappointed parent would.”
I sigh in exasperation. God, what must I look like to the outside world? An overworked, boring business professionalwhose profession matches her boring ass personality? This is starting to get really pathetic.
I want to keep this conversation going, but Gavin and Delfi come over now, commiserating on a good game.
“Wanna play, asshat?” Gavin asks.
Logan laughs, “Nah, I’m good. See if she wants to,” he says pointing to another coworker Samantha.
Gavin smirks and heads over to her, walking past T whose mouth turns to a scowl almost immediately. I bite back a laugh.
“I’m going to grab another round. Do you want one?” Logan asks.
