Page 120 of All at Once

I nod. “I was also a mess then. I had no idea what I was doing at 18. Not that I know what I’m doing now. But you know what I mean.” Remembering how much of a change going to college was for me, I add, “I think I also failed to mention how I most likely wasn’t ready for anything then anyway, so how can I even guarantee that meeting you would have changed that?”

“Right,” Luca says. “And with that logic, everyone who meets their partners could think if only they had met them sooner.”

“I guess I should have rephrased it to I wish I learned to face my fears years ago.” I scoff in frustration.

“Don’t we all?” A soft grin forms across his lips, his expression sincere. “And I think you did learn to face them before. Or at least you were learning to. Nothing just happens overnight. This was part of the process rather than feeling like you didn’t work on it all this time.”

My heart flutters at his awareness. He knows me. Better yet, heunderstandsme. “I think that’s a great way to put it,” I say.

It occurs to me that Luca is definitely bringing out the parts of me that used to be more optimistic.

And I see it now.

That change happens inincrements. So while you might not see the results right away, it doesn’t mean all your efforts going into changing something at a given moment are going to waste.

The moments along the way might not get the same appreciation as the end goal in mind, but that’s not to say their value isany less.

CHAPTER 19

“Untouchable (Taylor’s Version)” – Taylor Swift

“MY BAD FOR FORGETTING TO introduce you guys in college.” Enrique chuckles, while looking between Luca and me.

“Why?” Sofia turns toward him and teases, “Jasmine wouldn’t have had the chance to kiss you then.”

Enrique almost chokes on his drink at her comment, when I notice Sofia’s eyes flicker to his lips. I’m reminded of the night at the beach and how he went up behind her, thinking she looked annoyed by him. Maybe she was actually flustered, and maybe theywereflirting. But maybe I’m mistaken. Then again, I’m usually right about these things.

Luca gives me a slight smirk and adds, “And I wouldn’t have had the chance to give her all that advice.”

I nudge his shoulder.

“It seems like everything worked out well though,” Sofia says with a smile.

“For them,” Enrique replies dryly before grinning knowingly at Luca. “It’s okay, you can just introduce me to someone else.”

“Sofia’s single,” I remind, almost without thinking. But I watch as she squirms in her seat, now blushing.

Luca glares at me.

“Never mind,” I comment. We all start laughing, except for Luca, who shakes his head even though he’s trying not to smile, before Enrique passes me the plate of scrambled eggs. “Thanks.”

He looks at me, his lips forming a grin. “Do you want someBrazilwith that?”

For a second my brows crease, until I remember the first conversation we shared right when I got here discussing basil, and then I smile knowing he’s still poking fun at me, our inside joke now.

When my attention diverts back to the moment, I still can’t quite register it yet. It’s shocking enough that Enrique invited Sofia, Luca, and me to have breakfast together this morning. But it’s gladly even more surprising how pleasant it’s been, and not at all awkward the way I thought it would be. I’m happy to have met each of them. It’s a group of friends I would’ve loved to have back in high school or college. I just hope the next time that they all visit California we can get together again.

_________

I was already excited for the art festival that’s today, but when Luca and I finally arrive, I feel as though I’ve just entered one giant postcard, with all the vivid colors of paintings, posters, drawings, and more artwork scattered all around. Most booths have some sort of aquatic element to it, which is complementing the blazing summer sun and clear blue skies perfectly.

Although the best part about today so far is arguably Luca’s reaction to the festival. How his head is tilted up with wonder. How his eyes are lighting up at each sculpture, each painting, each portrait. A much more relaxed contrast to when I first saw him around artwork at the gallery not even two weeks ago.

I feel like I’m watching a close friend find their way back to something that held a lot of meaning for them before.Happyis an understatement for how I feel witnessing this.

When we find Sofia’s booth, we quickly walk over to her as I reach out to embrace her first. “Wow Sofia, everything looks incredible. You both did an amazing job.”

Luca points toward Sofia. “This was all her. I mostly did the boring stuff.”

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