Page 80 of A Coffee Away

I shook my head. “No way. I took you on this date. I’ll pay for it.”

Robbie’s eyes were about to fall out of their sockets. “A…date.”

I grinned. “Wings for me too.”

I caught Eva smiling from the back and suppressed another chuckle as Steph turned. She wasn’t much of an actress, and her eyes had started to glaze. She was happy.

We ate, then ordered some beer, a stout for him and an IPA for me.

We talked for a couple of hours.

Robbie told me he was looking for a place to sell his art so his parents would stop fussing over him. He was confused. His parents had told him he threw all his art away, wanting to start a new life. What he failed to understand was why he couldn’t think of anything other than painting when he woke.

He explained that once he got his art supplies, he started painting, letting his hands create whatever his mind wanted even if it didn’t make sense to him. He was surprised because, last he remembered, his art was dark and sad, and now it had turned into something different. A balance of night and light. Of melancholy and happiness.

I itched to see what he had created.

The salsa lessons started.

I lifted my chin toward the crowd that filled the space between the trucks. “Want to dance?” The rhythm had me dancing in place. My body tingled in anticipation.

Robbie paled, which made my insides melt. His soul was so beautiful. “I don’t know. I’ve never danced salsa before.”

I breathed deeply, swallowing back the pain of him forgetting all the nights we spent here, dancing. I offered him my hand. “Come on. I’m sure you’ll be a fast learner.”

He grabbed my hand and closed the space between us. His wide smile erased all my sorrow. We’d build back all we’d lost.

As we approached the space, Carmen danced with Gustavo.

Fuck. I forgot to call her.

I turned to Stephany, who rushed to them before Carmen and Gustavo started toward us.

“Hey, Robbie!” Carmen said when they met us. “Great to see you out of the hospital. This is Gustavo, my boyfriend.”

He stretched his hand toward Gustavo. “I’m Robbie. Carmen took care of me while I was at the hospital.”

“Nice to meet you.” Gustavo grasped his hand.

Carmen glanced my way. “And who’s this handsome fellow?”

Robbie’s face went red. He clutched my forearm, and I did my best to hide the shiver that ran through me at his touch. “Esteban, this is Carmen.” He looked at Carmen. “This is Esteban.”

I smiled. “His date. Nice to meet you both.” I winked.

Robbie widened his eyes, and I led him forward.

Our moves flowed the way they always had. Robbie was an amazing dance partner. After all the twists and turns, he always ended in my arms. We laughed all throughout the evening. I couldn’t remember the last time we had this much fun together.

The sun was setting when I decided to take him for a stroll in our neighborhood. Maybe it would bring forward his memories. We passed the café and continued a few blocks west.

I stopped at the corner in front of our building. “This is where I live. It’s a one-bedroom apartment. Not so big, but it’s home. Except lately…” My breath hitched.

“Lately what?” Robbie’s caring gaze fell upon me.

I almost blurted out how alone it was without him. “Nothing.”

He frowned, then glanced at our apartment building. “What floor do you live on?”